Baltimore Delegation Statement on Federal Freddie Gray Case

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 12, 2017

Contact: Fabion Seaton (Cummings) 202-225-4741
Sue Walitsky (Cardin) 202-224-4524
Bridgett Frey (Van Hollen) 202-228-0672
Tara Oursler (Ruppersberger) 202-225-3061
Daniel Jacobs (Sarbanes) 202-225-4016

Baltimore Delegation Statement on Federal Freddie Gray Case

Washington, D.C. (September 12, 2017) — Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-MD) in issuing the following statement on reports that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will not bring federal charges against the Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray:

“We are disappointed by reports that DOJ will not seek justice for Freddie Gray, but we are not surprised. We must now focus on ensuring that BPD has the resources it needs to implement the court-ordered consent decree and repair the sacred trust between police officers and the people they are sworn to protect.

“In order to improve BPD and reduce the violence in our city, Baltimore will need the support of the Trump Administration and DOJ. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has repeatedly stood in the way of our City’s progress by attempting to impede the implementation of the consent decree and holding hostage federal resources to reduce violent crime.

“In light of this reported decision, we are once again calling on DOJ to actively support—not undermine—the consent decree and to provide Baltimore with all federal resources available to improve our police force. Doing anything less would be unconscionable.”