Baltimore Police Disband Plainclothes Unit After Racketeering Indictments

The Baltimore Police Department has disbanded its primary plainclothes enforcement unit, sending 46 officers to patrol.



The change, which was made last night, comes after last week's indictment of seven city police officers on federal racketeering charges.

A copy of a personnel order obtained by The Baltimore Sun showed that three lieutenants, seven sergeants and 36 officers are being distributed throughout the patrol ranks.

Police spokesman T.J. Smith confirmed the reassignments.



Gene Ryan, president of the agency's Fraternal Order of Police lodge, said the change was sudden but may be in the best interests of the department.



The Sun reports that officials have been struggling with a shortage in patrol in recent years.