Richard Worley
Richard J. Worley Jr.[1] (born 1964/1965)[2] is an American police officer who has been the commissioner (leader) of the Baltimore Police Department since 2023. He was born in Baltimore's Pigtown community, graduated from Cardinal Gibbons School in Baltimore in 1983 and earned a degree in criminal justice from Oklahoma City University in 1987.
Richard Worley | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Worley in 2023 | |
| Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department | |
| Assumed office June 9, 2023[a] | |
| Preceded by | Michael S. Harrison |
| Deputy Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department | |
| In office September 2022 – June 9, 2023 | |
| Commissioner | Michael S. Harrison |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard J. Worley Jr. 1964/1965 (age 58–59) Baltimore, Maryland |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Oklahoma City University |
| a. ^ Acting until October 2, 2023 | |
Worley started his police career in 1998 with the Baltimore Police Department. He was a trainee, lieutenant, major, lieutenant colonel, then colonel. He helped make plans for protests related to the killing of George Floyd in 2021. He applied to lead the Austin Police Department in Texas in 2021 and the Greeley Police Department in Colorado 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 became acting commissioner on June 9, 2023, following Harrison's resignation. Despite his nomination being controversial, he was approved as commissioner by the Baltimore City Council on October 2, 2023, with one disagreeing vote. His salary per year as commissioner is US$285,000.
Early life change
Richard J. Worley Jr.[1] was born in the Pigtown community of Baltimore[3] in 1964 or 1965.[2] He graduated from Cardinal Gibbons School in 1983 and received a degree in criminal justice from Oklahoma City University in 1987.[2] He was involved in college baseball and was recognized by his coach as "the natural." After college, he played in minor league baseball and later worked in his family's flooring business for ten years.[2][4]
Police career change
Worley became a police officer with the Baltimore Police Department as a trainee in 1998. He was 34 years old. He served four years on patrol in the Western District of Baltimore. After being a trainee, he became lieutenant, major, lieutenant colonel, and finally, police colonel.[3] In 2021, he helped make plans for protests related to the killing of George Floyd.[4] He attempted to become the leader of the Austin Police Department in Texas in 2021 and the Greeley Police Department in Colorado in 2022 but was not selected by the departments.[2]
In September 2022, Worley became the deputy commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department with Michael S. Harrison as commissioner,[5] and he became acting commissioner on June 9, 2023 because of Harrison's resignation.[3][6][7]
On July 17, 2023, Mayor of Baltimore Brandon Scott nominated Worley to become commissioner. While the Baltimore NAACP thought his nomination should be withdrawn, former Mayor of Baltimore Jack Young and State's Attorney Ivan Bates agreed with his nomination. [7][8][9]
Worley's nomination was approved by the Baltimore City Council Oversight Committee then approved by the Baltimore City Council on October 2, 2023. The only disagreeing vote was from Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, who represents the district affected by the 2023 Baltimore shooting, which happened while he was acting commissioner.[10][11][12]
While he was acting commissioner, his salary was US$207,944, and after his nomination was accepted by the City Council, he received a three-year contract with a salary per year of US$285,000.[2]
Personal life change
Worley is married and has two children. As well as being a police officer, he has been a Major League Baseball merchandise reviewer since August 2014.[2]
References change
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wiggins, Ovetta (2023-08-31). "Baltimore police showed 'indifference' ahead of shooting, report says". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "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.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 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.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Daniels, Chris Berinato & Mikenzie Frost & Keith (June 8, 2023). "Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison stepping down". WBFF. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Police search for man suspected of killing Baltimore tech CEO". Reuters. September 27, 2023. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.