Office of Legal Affairs for the Baltimore Police Department
The Duties of Legal Affairs
The Office of Legal Affairs for the Baltimore City Police Department handles a wide range of legal matters for the Department. Including:
Civil litigation, contractual review, forfeitures, subpoenas, and assists with ongoing training
Providing legal advice to the Baltimore Police Commissioner, Command Staff and the BPD more generally
Representing the BPD in Civil Actions
Prosecutes BPD disciplinary hearings concerning police misconduct
Assists the BPD to comply with requests for records under the Maryland Public Information Act and pursuant to subpoenas
Contact Information
Lisa Walden, Esq.
Chief of the Office of Legal Affairs
Phone: (410) 396-2496
Fax: (410) 396-2126
100 N. Holliday St., Suite 101
Baltimore, MD 21202
Office of Administrative Hearings: (410) 396-2300
Public Information Act (PIA) Representative
Lindsey Eldridge
Phone: (410) 396-2012
E-mail: [email protected]
c/o Document Compliance Unit
Baltimore Police Department
242 W. 29th St.
Baltimore, MD 21211
How do I obtain Baltimore Police Department records through the Maryland Public Information Act? Click Here
How do I serve a subpoena or a summons on the Baltimore Police Department or one of its members? Click Here
How do I make a claim for money seized associated with a drug or gambling incident? Click Here
How do I make a claim against the Baltimore Police Department or one of its members? Click Here
Helpful Links: Click Here
How do I obtain Baltimore Police Department records through the Maryland Public Information Act?
The Baltimore Police Department has 9 patrol districts and over 40 specializes sections and units that maintain records. A request for “every and all” records could trigger a response that your request is vague and ambiguous and cause a delay in receiving records. Below is a list of some BPD Custodian of Records to help you obtain Offense Reports and supporting investigation documents to direct your request. All requests for BPD records must be made in writing. Note: All requests for interviews, questions on policy or incidents must be directed to the Baltimore Police Department’s Media Relations Section (410) 396-2012.
Note: Members of the media should contact the Media Relations Section of BPD concerning questions on policies, procedures, general request for comments on news stories, and questions regarding records that have been provided pursuant to a request.
Phone: (410) 396-2012
Email: [email protected]
Click on title to open printable form
CCTV (Blue Light Cameras) VIDEO
EVIDENCE CHAIN OF CUSTODY REPORTS
LAB RECORDS & INCIDENT SCENE PHOTOS
If you do not see the form that fits your request, please contact the Document Compliance Unit [email protected]org.
*Important Note Regarding Requests: A request for “any and all” records could trigger a response that your request is vague and ambiguous or does not reasonably identify and/or describe the records sought, which will cause a delay in receiving records. The Baltimore Police Department is only able to comply with requests that the Custodian is able to identify and locate responsive records by a process that is not unreasonably burdensome or disruptive to BPD operations.
How do I serve a subpoena or a summons on the Baltimore Police Department or one of its members?
If you need to serve a criminal or civil subpoena, summons or other court documents on the Baltimore Police Department or its members, the proper methods are detailed in the Maryland Rules of Procedure. See Md. Rule 2-121 - Service of a civil summons - In Personam, Md. Rule 4-265(e) - Filing and Service of Criminal Subpoenas and Md. Rule 2-510(d) - Service of Civil Subpoenas.
The Office of Legal Affairs can accept service for the Commissioner, the Custodian of Records, and the Command Staff (rank of Director/Captain and above). Hand deliver the documents to the BPD headquarters building at 601 E Fayette St. Baltimore, MD 21202 (there is no postal delivery at this address). Office of Legal Affairs will accept service between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm Monday thru Friday except for holidays.
Subpoenas can be served on a member of the Baltimore Police Department to testify about anything observed or investigated in the course of his or her duty. These subpoenas require personal service. If you are serving a member of the Department below the rank of Director/Captain, you should contact the administrative officer of the District or Unit where the member is assigned. This is usually a Lieutenant or Sergeant. You should ask if the administrative officer will accept a subpoena to testify for the member or ask or when the member can be made available to be served.
No member of the Baltimore Police Department can accept service of a Civil Summons (a law suit) for another member. Md. Rule 4-265(e), Md. Rule 2-510(d) and Md. Rule 2-121 requires the member to be served personally. Before trying to serve a member you should contact the administrative officer of the District or Unit where the member is assigned. The administrative officer can arrange a time for the member to be served.
How do I make a claim for money seized associated with a drug or gambling incident?
Money or weapons that are found in close proximity to controlled dangerous substance, controlled paraphernalia, or forfeitable records of the importation, manufacture, or distribution of controlled dangerous substances are contraband and presumed to be forfeitable. Maryland Code, Criminal Procedure Article, 12-101 et seq.
If your money was seized in connection with a drug or gambling incident, you may file a “forfeiture” form. In approximately 10-12 weeks a BPD attorney will review your form, documentation and the police reports. If the reviewing attorney does not seek forfeiture, the paper work will be forwarded to the Director of Finance for a refund.
If the reviewing attorney finds probable cause to believe the money was associated with a drug or gambling incident, the BPD will file a complaint for forfeiture in District Court. The District Court will send you a “notice of intent to defend” with a court date.
Personal property other than money seized in a drug or gambling incident can only be released by the seizing officer.
FORFIETURE REQUEST Click HERE
Helpful Links
Maryland Public Information Act
Baltimore Police Department's Maryland Public Information Act Webpage