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WEBVTT BALTIMORE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RESIGNED. ANDRE: TJ SMITH ANNOUNCED HIS DECISION. H SAID IN LETTER HARD-CORE CRIMINALS INFILTRATED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HAVE LEFT A LIFETIME OF SCARS REFERRING TO THE GUN TRACE TEST FOR SCANDAL. ASHLEY: THIS COMES ONE DAY AFTER GARY TUGGLE ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT BE SEEKING THE PERMANENT POSITION. A >> IT WAS A PERSONAL DECISION THAT T MADE, TJ HAS MADE A LOT OF CONTRIBUTIONS OVER THE YEARS. WE WISH HIM WELL. >> WE HAVE A NEW COMMISSIONER STARTING SOON, THAT PERSON SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO SELECT YOUR OWN TEAM IN GET THE PROFESSIONALS THEY NEED TO MOVE THEIR AGENDA FORWARD AND WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING, I WANT EVERYONE OUT THERE, WE’LL ALL WANT A SAFER CITY AND A BETTER CITY. ACTUALLY: THAT WAS T SMITH SPEAKING ABOUT HIS RESIGNATION. HE WORKED UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE CITY SINCE 2015 AND INVOLVED TH SWAP OF POLICE DETECTIVES THAT HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY. THE COUNTY PAID MOST OF HIS SALARY.

Advertisement Chief T.J Smith, spokesman for Baltimore Police Department, resigns Matt Jablow, BPD's chief of strategic communications, to take over Smith's duties Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Baltimore media relations Chief T.J. Smith, a well-known spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department, confirmed in a Facebook post on Wednesday that he has resigned."This wasn't a bitter end. This was just the time," Smith said during an interview with WBAL Radio. "I wanted to go out on my own."Smith, a Baltimore City native, came to Baltimore Police Department in 2015 after spending 16 years at Anne Arundel County Police Department."I love this city. I love the men and women that wear the blue uniform that work every day that work their butts off to protect the city despite everything going on. It was simply just time. I am dearly indebted to Chief (Timothy) Altomare in Anne Arundel County, (Anne Arundel) County Executive Steve Shuh, (former) Mayor Stephanie-Rawlings Blake, Mayor (Catherine) Pugh, and the commissioners I worked for, Kevin Davis, of course, Darryl DeSousa and Gary Tuggle," Smith said."It was a personal decision that T.J. Smith made. T.J.'s made a lot of contributions to this department over the years so we wish him well," Tuggle said. "Mayor Pugh wishes him well," a city spokesman said in a statement.Smith served the last three years of his time with Anne Arundel County Police Department as the director of media relations before joining BPD as the chief of media relations under then Commissioner Kevin Davis.Smith said the next BPD commissioner should have the ability to select their own team. As far as his next steps, Smith said, "I'm a free agent at this point. Whatever I do, I want to stay connected with my people in Baltimore. I know the promise our city has."His departure comes one day after Interim Baltimore Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle withdrew his application for the top job.Officials said Matt Jablow, the Baltimore Police Department’s chief of strategic communications, will assume Smith's responsibilities.Jablow served as BPD's director of public affairs from 2003 to 2007. Prior to that, he was an anchor and reporter at WBAL-TV in Baltimore. In his post, Smith wrote, in part:"Dear Baltimore,"It’s time. Goodbye for now and thank you for letting me be me."To change a city, you have to change the city."I love this town. I get homesick whenever I’m away. And despite its flaws, this city possesses great beauty, is rich in history, and exudes promise. However, the last few years have cast a spotlight on our city’s urban, gritty landscape; from scandals, corruption, murders, riots, and more. Through it all, I walk all over the city and people approach me offering ideas, prayer, and hope. That’s Baltimore, my Baltimore, a deeply resilient town."As I said when I arrived in Baltimore, and I’ll say the same as I leave, 'I'm not just a spokesperson, I'm a community advocate.' As I say goodbye, for now, it has truly been my honor and privilege to serve with the men and women of the Baltimore Police Department and the citizens of the city of Baltimore."Click here to see his full letter.https://www.facebook.com/tjsmithmedia/posts/530348524059680[/facebook]