The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) is a finalist for the prestigious Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing. The nomination recognizes the Department’s participation in the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) to reduce gun violence in the city of Baltimore.

“I want to thank the men and women of the BPD for their hard work and dedication to the successful implementation of GVRS. GVRS is undoubtedly the catalyst in decreasing gun violence in Baltimore. The work of the Group Violence Unit (GVU), alongside our partnerships with Mayor Scott, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the State’s Attorney’s Office is to be commended,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “BPD is committed to working with our communities to reduce violent crime, while building relationships and regaining the public’s trust. Baltimore continues to lead the way in gun violence reduction and leaders across the world are learning from BPD as we continue to reform the Department and lower violent crime.”

The Herman Goldstein Award was created in 1993 and administered by the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing at Arizona State University. The award recognizes outstanding policing agencies and officers around the world that engage in effective problem-solving efforts that achieve measurable successes in reducing crime, disorder and other public safety problems.

“I am proud of the work that the Baltimore Police Department has done to stand up Baltimore’s GVRS strategy in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the State’s Attorney’s Office. This strategic partnership, which includes service providers and community members, is an important component of Baltimore’s Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan. By looking at the entire picture of public safety, we have helped produce and maintain historic reductions in gun violence across Baltimore – and BPD’s efforts have been absolutely critical in that progress,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “GVRS is a great example of how cities across the country can implement evidence-based focused deterrence strategies to drive down violence in our communities, while turning the page on the history of mass incarceration and building public safety the right way.”

GVRS launched in January 2022 and piloted in the Western District, as part of Mayor Scott’s Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan (CVPP). The strategy, which is also known as focused deterrence, led to a 33.8% reduction in both homicides and non-fatal shootings in the pilot year. The goals of the strategy include reductions in homicides and non-fatal shootings, decrease recidivism, improved outcomes for those at highest risk of violence and strengthening police-community relations and trust.

“Congratulations to Commissioner Worley and the entire BPD family for the work they have put in to earn this nomination,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “It has been a privilege to work hand-in-hand with command staff to reduce violence and save lives in Baltimore. I look forward to seeing this positive momentum continue so that every neighborhood in Baltimore can be where we are proud to raise our children and keep them safe.” 

Through this strategy, city government, community leaders, social service providers, employers and law enforcement partner and act together. Where necessary, GVRS creates swift, certain and legitimate accountability for violence. The strategy works by engaging directly with those most intimately involved in and affected by violence, leveraging an intentional collaboration between partner organizations. The strategy expanded to neighboring police districts in 2023, with citywide implementation planned for the end of 2025.

“GVRS is a proven, collaborative intervention strategy that hinges on balancing opportunity with accountability. More than 90% of participants who receive life coaching after being identified by the strategy have not reoffended or been revictimized,” said MONSE Director Stefanie Mavronis. “The University of Pennsylvania’s Crime and Justice Policy Lab found that GVRS decreased homicides and non-fatal shootings in the Western District by 25% and carjackings by 33% in the first 18 months of implementation, with no commensurate increase in arrests. Through partnership, this work is keeping Baltimoreans safe, alive and free.”

Other finalists for the 2024 Herman Goldstein Award include: The Greater Manchester (UK) Police, Palms Springs (California) Police Department, South Yorkshire (UK) Police and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Each finalist will present their projects at the 32nd Annual Problem-Oriented Policing Conference in Baltimore Sept. 12-14, 2024, and the winner will be announced on the final day of the conference. This annual conference will be hosted by BPD and will include presentations from law enforcement agencies across the globe.

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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.