The Division of Pretrial Detention and Services, including the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Facility, handles more arrestees than any other Correctional Facility in the State of Maryland, however, the Administration of Public Safety administers the heavy hand of discipline for the slightest rule infraction. A prime example would involve the incident with the six (6) Corrections Officers employed in the Central Booking and Intake Facility that were fired in December. The officers thought they were “doing the right thing” in calming an unruly detainee, and were charged with using excessive force. The Union was informed that the detainee was unharmed and received no physical injuries. Nonetheless, the Administration imposed harsh penalties upon the six officers which included immediate terminations. “Incidents and handling of such incidents should be used as training opts. These are learning opportunities not disciplinary sanctions. In these tight budgetary times the last thing the Administration needs to do is deplete staff especially since staff is already short” stated, Glenard S. Middleton, Executive Director of AFSCME Maryland Council 67.

AFSCME has filed appeals for the six (6) officers and will vigorously pursue all available avenues to win back the jobs of the officers.