Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Wednesday announced the names of the panelists who will interview top candidates to be the next Baltimore County Chief of Police, including several community representatives.

The panel will interview up to 10 candidates and advise the County Executive on the strength of each candidate. The County Executive will select and interview finalists based on the panel’s recommendations. The panelists are:

• Drew Vetter, Deputy County Administrative Officer
• T.J. Smith, Press Secretary
• Cathy Bevins, County Council District 6
• Scott Shellenberger, Baltimore County State’s Attorney
• Dorothy Lennig, Director of Marjorie Cook Legal Clinic at House of Ruth Maryland
• Crystal Francis, Community Representative
• Valerie Fraling, Community Representative
• Wayne Brooks, Community Representative

“The job of chief of police requires a dedicated public servant who can be an effective leader of our honorable law enforcement officers and also gain the trust and respect of our diverse communities,” Olszewski said. “We will select a chief who possesses the qualities that our communities want to see in the next leader of our law enforcement efforts, and one who shares my commitment to transparency and accountability.”

“I want to thank County Executive Olszewski for choosing me as the Council representative on the eight-member interview panel for the new Baltimore County Police Chief,” said Councilwoman Bevins. “I look forward to working with the other members to assist the County Executive pick the right person for the job. Crime is an issue facing the Sixth District and all of Baltimore County, and I am grateful to be part of the process in choosing the next leader of the police department.”

County residents are also reminded that they have opportunities to provide input into the selection process. The County Executive will hold two Public Safety Community Forum:

• East County Policing Town Hall – Tuesday, February 26 – 6:30p.m. to 8:00p.m.
• West County Policing Town Hall – Thursday, February 28 – 5:00p.m. to 6:30p.m.

Locations will be announced in the near future. Once identified, the locations will be posted online.

In addition, residents can also send written comments to [email protected]. A number of comments have already been received.

The confidentiality of all applicants will be maintained throughout the search process. A new police chief will be in place by June 2019. More information about the police chief search process is available here.