Richard Worley (police officer)

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Richard Worley
Lights Out Press Conference (53575617010) (Worley crop).jpg
Worley in 2024
Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 9, 2023 [a]
a. ^ Acting until October 2, 2023

Richard J. Worley Jr. [1] (born 1964 or 1965) [2] is an American police officer who has served as the commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department since 2023. Born in Baltimore's Pigtown community, he graduated from Cardinal Gibbons School in 1983 and earned a degree in criminal justice from Oklahoma City University in 1987.

Contents

Worley began his law enforcement career in 1998 with the Baltimore Police Department, working his way up from a trainee to positions such as lieutenant, major, lieutenant colonel, and ultimately, police colonel. He played a role in implementing the city's deployment plans for protests related to the killing of George Floyd in 2021. In September 2022, Worley became the deputy commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department under Michael S. Harrison and assumed the role of acting commissioner on June 9, 2023, following his predecessor's resignation. Despite some controversy surrounding his nomination, he was confirmed as commissioner by the Baltimore City Council on October 2, 2023, with one dissenting vote.

Early life and career

Richard J. Worley Jr. [1] was born in the Pigtown community of Baltimore [3] around 1964 or 1965. [2] He graduated from Cardinal Gibbons School in 1983 and obtained a degree in criminal justice from Oklahoma City University in 1987. [2] He was actively involved in college baseball and was notably recognized by his coach as "the natural." After college, he briefly played in minor league baseball and later worked in his family's flooring business for a decade. [2] [4]

Police career

Worley began his police career with the Baltimore Police Department as a trainee in 1998 at the age of 34. He initially served four years on patrol in the Western District before progressing through the ranks, holding positions such as a lieutenant, major, lieutenant colonel, and ultimately, police colonel. [3] He made his mark as the commander for four years of the Northeastern District, an area covering some of Baltimore’s leafiest, quasi-suburban neighborhoods where he connected with residents through a regular newsletter. It’s also where he got to know Brandon Scott, a hungry young City Hall aide who would become a city councilman and eventually mayor. [5] In 2021, he played a role in implementing the city's deployment plans for protests related to the killing of George Floyd. [4] [6]

In September 2022, Worley assumed the position of deputy commissioner of operations for the Baltimore Police Department under Michael S. Harrison. [7] When Harrison decided to resign after nearly five years in 2023, Scott phoned Worley at 11:30 on a June night and told him he would be named commissioner the following morning. He bypassed a search and soliciting community feedback; Scott says he knew what he was getting. “One of the reasons Rich and I have hit it off all these years, we’re not interested in the glitz and glamour. What matters to him is helping people, and doing the right thing,” Scott said in an interview. “I know he cares about public safety in Baltimore, and he’s going to work hard and get the job done.” [8] On July 17, 2023, Mayor Brandon Scott officially nominated Worley for the position of commissioner. While the Baltimore NAACP called for the withdrawal of his nomination, Worley received endorsements from former Mayor Jack Young and State's Attorney Ivan Bates. [9] [10] [11]

Worley being sworn in as commissioner. Mayor Brandon Scott is standing next to him. Swearing in of Richard Worley.jpg
Worley being sworn in as commissioner. Mayor Brandon Scott is standing next to him.

Worley's nomination was unanimously approved by the Baltimore City Council Oversight Committee and later confirmed by the full Baltimore City Council on October 2, 2023, with the only dissenting vote coming from Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, who represents the district affected by the 2023 Baltimore shooting, which occurred during his tenure as acting commissioner. [12] [13] As acting commissioner, his salary was US$207,944, and upon his nomination's approval by the City Council, he received a three-year contract with an annual salary of US$285,000. [2] [14]

Under his leadership, Baltimore experienced significant reductions in crime during 2023 and 2024. In 2023, the city recorded fewer than 300 homicides for the first time in nearly a decade, marking a notable decrease from previous years. [15] This downward trend continued into 2024, with a 36% drop in homicides and a 30% decrease in non-fatal shootings reported in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2023. [16] By the end of 2024, Baltimore had recorded 201 homicides, representing a 23% decrease from the previous year. [17] Additionally, the number of ghost guns seized in Baltimore decreased by 24% in 2024 compared to 2023, continuing a downward trend since a peak in 2022. These improvements have been attributed to enhanced policing strategies, increased community engagement, and a focus on violent crime reduction under Commissioner Worley’s administration. [16]

In the first half of 2025, Batimore city the lowest number of homicides in fifty years. The murder rate through July was the lowest since 1983, when William Donald Schaefer was mayor. That’s happening with the fewest number of officers on the streets that anyone can remember, while the previously scandal-plagued department has also mostly avoided controversy. Today, the department has about 2,000 officers, a decline of 600 from a decade ago. [18]

His approach has drawn praise from State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, the city’s top prosecutor, who lauded him for bringing on a new executive to address juvenile crime. And police union president Mike Mancuso, who blasted previous commissioners as “carpetbaggers” who took a “hands-off” approach to fighting crime, said in a statement that Worley has encouraged them to “take the necessary action needed to fight crime.” [19]

On December 1, 2023, Worley, who had been living in Annapolis in neighboring Anne Arundel County, moved back to Baltimore, due to a clause in the city charter that requires the commissioner to live in the city or sign a declaration that they plan to move in the next six months after being appointed as commissioner. He signed the declaration on September 20, a day before his nomination was approved by the Oversight Committee. [20] [21] Worley lived out of a downtown hotel until the end of 2024, afterwards purchasing a new home in the Roland Park neighborhood. [22]

Personal life

Worley is married with two children. He is an avid baseball player and fan of the sport. [23] In addition to his career in law enforcement, he has been a Major League Baseball merchandise authenticator since August 2014. [2] [4]

References

  1. 1 2 Wiggins, Ovetta (August 31, 2023). "Baltimore police showed 'indifference' ahead of shooting, report says". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 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. 1 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. 1 2 3 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.
  5. ↑ Fenton, Justin (August 18, 2025). "Killings in Baltimore are hitting historic lows. So why is Commissioner Worley scowling?". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  6. ↑ Barker, Kim; Baker, Mike; Watkins, Ali (March 20, 2021). "In City After City, Police Mishandled Black Lives Matter Protests". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ Fenton, Justin (August 18, 2025). "Killings in Baltimore are hitting historic lows. So why is Commissioner Worley scowling?". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ Sullivan, Emily (October 2, 2023). "City Council confirms Richard Worley as Baltimore Police commissioner". The Baltimore Banner. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  15. ↑ Worthington, Elizabeth (December 31, 2024). "A look back at Baltimore public safety issues in 2024". WMAR2News. Archived from the original on January 18, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  16. 1 2 "Baltimore Police Department releases 2024 Mid-Year Crime Report and key highlights". Baltimore Police Department . July 8, 2024. Archived from the original on December 22, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  17. ↑ Abell, Jeff (January 2, 2025). "As homicides fall, experts question if Baltimore's approach is the key to success". Fox45 News. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  18. ↑ Fenton, Justin (August 18, 2025). "Killings in Baltimore are hitting historic lows. So why is Commissioner Worley scowling?". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  19. ↑ Fenton, Justin (August 18, 2025). "Killings in Baltimore are hitting historic lows. So why is Commissioner Worley scowling?". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  20. ↑ Taylor, Tolly (December 11, 2023). "Police Commissioner Richard Worley establishes residence in Baltimore City". WBAL-TV . Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  21. ↑ Taylor, Tolly (October 5, 2023). "I-Team: Letter shows BPD Commissioner Richard Worley's intent to move into Baltimore City". WBAL-TV . Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  22. ↑ Fenton, Justin (April 2, 2025). "Baltimore police commish finally moves out of a hotel and into the city". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  23. ↑ Fenton, Justin (August 18, 2025). "Killings in Baltimore are hitting historic lows. So why is Commissioner Worley scowling?". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
Police appointments
Preceded by Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department
2023–		Incumbent
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