Richard Worley (police officer)

Richard Worley
Worley in 2024
Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department
Incumbent
Assumed office June 9, 2023^[a]
Preceded by	Michael S. Harrison
Deputy Commissioner of Operations of the Baltimore Police Department
In office September 2022 – June 9, 2023
Commissioner	Michael S. Harrison
Personal details
Born	Richard J. Worley Jr. 1964 or 1965 (age 59–60) Baltimore, Maryland
Children	2
Education	Oklahoma City University
Salary	US$285,000
Police career
Department	Baltimore Police Department
Service years	1998–present
Rank	Lieutenant Major Lieutenant colonel Colonel
a. ^ Acting until October 2, 2023

Richard J. Worley Jr.[1] (born 1964 or 1965)[2] is an American police officer who has served as the commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department since 2023. Born in Baltimore's Pigtown community, he graduated from Cardinal Gibbons School in 1983 and earned a degree in criminal justice from Oklahoma City University in 1987.

Worley began his law enforcement career in 1998 with the Baltimore Police Department, working his way up from a trainee to positions such as lieutenant, major, lieutenant colonel, and ultimately, police colonel. He played a role in implementing the city's deployment plans for protests related to the killing of George Floyd in 2021. Despite applying for chief positions at the Austin Police Department in 2021 and the Greeley Police Department in 2022, he was not selected for either role. In September 2022, Worley became the deputy commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department under Michael S. Harrison and assumed the role of acting commissioner on June 9, 2023, following his predecessor's resignation. Despite some controversy surrounding his nomination, he was confirmed as commissioner by the Baltimore City Council on October 2, 2023, with one dissenting vote.

Early life and career

Richard J. Worley Jr.[1] was born in the Pigtown community of Baltimore[3] around 1964 or 1965.[2] He graduated from Cardinal Gibbons School in 1983 and obtained a degree in criminal justice from Oklahoma City University in 1987.[2] He was actively involved in college baseball and was notably recognized by his coach as "the natural." After college, he briefly played in minor league baseball and later worked in his family's flooring business for a decade.[2][4]

Police career

Worley began his police career with the Baltimore Police Department as a trainee in 1998 at the age of 34. He initially served four years on patrol in the Western District before progressing through the ranks, holding positions such as a lieutenant, major, lieutenant colonel, and ultimately, police colonel.[3] In 2021, he played a role in implementing the city's deployment plans for protests related to the killing of George Floyd.[4][5] He applied for the position of chief at the Austin Police Department in 2021 and the Greeley Police Department in 2022 but was not selected for either role.[2]

In September 2022, Worley assumed the position of deputy commissioner of operations for the Baltimore Police Department under Michael S. Harrison,[6] and he took over as acting commissioner on June 9, 2023, following Harrison's resignation.[3][7][8]

On July 17, 2023, Mayor Brandon Scott officially nominated Worley for the position of commissioner. While the Baltimore NAACP called for the withdrawal of his nomination, Worley received endorsements from former Mayor Jack Young and State's Attorney Ivan Bates.[8][9][10]

Worley being sworn in as commissioner. Mayor Brandon Scott is standing next to him.

Worley's nomination was unanimously approved by the Baltimore City Council Oversight Committee and later confirmed by the full Baltimore City Council on October 2, 2023, with the only dissenting vote coming from Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, who represents the district affected by the 2023 Baltimore shooting, which occurred during his tenure as acting commissioner.[11][12] As acting commissioner, his salary was US$207,944, and upon his nomination's approval by the City Council, he received a three-year contract with an annual salary of US$285,000.[2][13]

Under his leadership, Baltimore experienced significant reductions in crime during 2023 and 2024. In 2023, the city recorded fewer than 300 homicides for the first time in nearly a decade, marking a notable decrease from previous years.[14] This downward trend continued into 2024, with a 36% drop in homicides and a 30% decrease in non-fatal shootings reported in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2023.[15] By the end of 2024, Baltimore had recorded 201 homicides, representing a 23% decrease from the previous year.[16] Additionally, the number of ghost guns seized in Baltimore decreased by 24% in 2024 compared to 2023, continuing a downward trend since a peak in 2022. These improvements have been attributed to enhanced policing strategies, increased community engagement, and a focus on violent crime reduction under Commissioner Worley’s administration.[15]

On December 1, 2023, Worley, who had been living in Annapolis in neighboring Anne Arundel County, moved back to Baltimore, due to a clause in the city charter that requires the commissioner to live in the city or sign a declaration that they plan to move in the next six months after being appointed as commissioner. He signed the declaration on September 20, a day before his nomination was approved by the Oversight Committee.[17][18]

Personal life

Worley is married with two children. In addition to his career in law enforcement, he has been a Major League Baseball merchandise authenticator since August 2014.[2][4]

References

1. Wiggins, Ovetta (August 31, 2023). "Baltimore police showed 'indifference' ahead of shooting, report says". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
2. "Who is Richard Worley, the new acting Baltimore Police commissioner?". Baltimore Sun. June 8, 2023. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
3. Pryor, Rebecca (June 9, 2023). "Meet Richard Worley, the homegrown veteran set to lead the Baltimore Police Department". WBFF. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
4. Prudente, Tim (June 8, 2023). "Mayor turns to homegrown cop with Richard Worley to lead BPD". The Baltimore Banner. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
5. Barker, Kim; Baker, Mike; Watkins, Ali (March 20, 2021). "In City After City, Police Mishandled Black Lives Matter Protests". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
6. "Baltimore mayor officially nominates Richard Worley to become new police commissioner – CBS Baltimore". WJZ-TV. July 17, 2023. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
7. Daniels, Keith; Berinato, Chris; Frost, Mikenzie (June 8, 2023). "Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison stepping down". WBFF. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
8. "Mayor Scott Officially Nominates Richard Worley To Be Baltimore Police Commissioner". Mayor Brandon M. Scott. July 17, 2023. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
9. "Baltimore NAACP calls on mayor to withdraw police commissioner nomination: 'Process needs to be transparent' – CBS Baltimore". WJZ-TV. June 29, 2023. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
10. Dacey, Kim (September 22, 2023). "Baltimore City Council committee votes on Worley recommendation". WBAL. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
11. Sullivan, Emily (October 2, 2023). "City Council confirms Richard Worley as Baltimore Police Commissioner". Baltimore Banner. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
12. "Baltimore block party shooting victims include more than a dozen minors, police say". AP News. July 2, 2023. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
13. Sullivan, Emily (October 2, 2023). "City Council confirms Richard Worley as Baltimore Police commissioner". The Baltimore Banner. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
14. Worthington, Elizabeth (December 31, 2024). "A look back at Baltimore public safety issues in 2024". WMAR2News. Archived from the original on January 18, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
15. "Baltimore Police Department releases 2024 Mid-Year Crime Report and key highlights". Baltimore Police Department. July 8, 2024. Archived from the original on December 22, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
16. Abell, Jeff (January 2, 2025). "As homicides fall, experts question if Baltimore's approach is the key to success". Fox45 News. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
17. Taylor, Tolly (December 11, 2023). "Police Commissioner Richard Worley establishes residence in Baltimore City". WBAL-TV. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
18. Taylor, Tolly (October 5, 2023). "I-Team: Letter shows BPD Commissioner Richard Worley's intent to move into Baltimore City". WBAL-TV. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.

External links

• Baltimore Police Department biography, Archived February 12, 2024, at the Wayback Machine

Police appointments
Preceded by Michael S. Harrison	Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department 2023–	Incumbent