Baltimore, Md. (March 22, 2024) -- The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) is pleased to announce several professional and command promotions that will help the agency fulfill its community policing and public safety missions.

Olufemi Akanni will be promoted to Chief of Public Integrity. Prior to this appointment, Akanni served as the Director of the Equal Opportunity and Public Integrity section.

Akanni joined the Department as the Deputy Director of the Equal Opportunity and Diversity Section in 2021. He was later promoted to the rank of Director for the same section.

Prior to joining the BPD, his most recent role was at the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Akanni holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, and a Barrister at Law Degree from the Nigerian Law School. He also holds Master of Laws degrees from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Shannon Sullivan will be promoted to Chief of Compliance. She previously served as the Director of the Consent Decree Implementation Unit.

Sullivan has been with the BPD for more than 11 years.  In her new role, she will oversee the Consent Decree Implementation Unit, the Performance Standards Section -- which includes the Audits and Inspections Unit -- and the Equity Office. 

She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Goucher College.

Lindsey Eldridge will be promoted to Chief of Media Relations. She previously served as Director of Media Relations.

Eldridge has served with the BPD since 2019, first serving as the Community Outreach Coordinator. She was promoted to Director of Public Affairs and Community Outreach in 2020 and oversees the Public Information Office. Prior to serving with the BPD, Eldridge served in the Mayor’s Office from 2013 to 2019 as the special assistant and scheduler to the Mayor.

Eldridge is a graduate of Morgan State University, where she double majored in Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations. She also holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Baltimore.

Sarah Ritter will be promoted to Deputy Chief of Community Policing. Prior to this appointment, Ritter served as Director.

Ritter has worked for the Baltimore Police Department in the Administration Bureau, Operations Bureau, Chief of Detectives Office, Chief of Patrol Office and the Consent Decree Implementation Unit. She has also worked for Johns Hopkins and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.

Ritter holds a bachelor’s degree from Occidental College and a master’s degree in City Planning from The University of California, Berkeley. 

Melissa Krafchik will be promoted to Director of the Consent Decree Implementation Unit (CDIU). Prior to this appointment, she served as the Deputy Director.

She has devoted more than 15 years to public service in varying capacities within the Mayor's Office, Parking Authority, State Highway and the BPD, where she has dedicated the majority of her tenure as a Compliance Manager and Deputy Director with CDIU.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master of Arts in Geography and Environmental Planning from Towson University.

Shardal Rose will be promoted to Director of the Victim Services Unit. She previously served as Manager of the Victim Services Unit.

Rose joined the Department in 2022. Prior to working for BPD, she worked for 12 years with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration in Victimology from Winthrop University and a master’s degree in Victim Services Management from Sam Houston State University.

“Each of these professional staff members is a valuable asset to the Baltimore Police Department. They represent the next generation of the BPD,” said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “As proven leaders, I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact they continue to bring to the Department and the community in these new leadership positions.”

Additionally, the following sworn promotions will take place:

Zachary Zovistoski and Daniel Belen will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

Gabrielle Ellis, John Wallace, Ryan Messimer and Stephan Lepper will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

“These members have shown through their dedication and commitment with the Department that these are well-deserved promotions and I know they will continue to work to make the BPD proud,” said Commissioner Worley.

These promotions go into effect March 24, 2024.

###

BPD Mission Statement

The Baltimore Police Department is dedicated to upholding the Constitution and enforcing laws in a fair, impartial, and ethical manner. We commit to creating and maintaining a culture of service that builds trust and legitimacy in all communities, values the sanctity of human life, and provides for the safety and well-being of all.