'Disgusted': Mayor Reacts To Allegations Against Baltimore Police

BALTIMORE, MD — The mayor of Baltimore said he was "disgusted" Friday by allegations that led to the indictment of two Baltimore police officers.

A grand jury indicted officers Maxwell Dundore and Sgt. Brendan O'Leary Thursday related to the assault of a teen April 27, 2020, according to the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office.

Dundore was indicted on second-degree assault and misconduct in office charges, while O'Leary was indicted on charges of false statement and misconduct in office.

The charges stemmed from an incident in the 2800 block of Mayfield Avenue, where prosecutors said a 17-year-old boy was getting out of the driver's door of a stolen vehicle when Dundore body-slammed him to the ground and threatened to kill him.

According to the indictment, the teen struggled to get away from the officer, who put him in a chokehold and said: "I will choke you. I will kill you."

O'Leary, who was the sergeant in the Northeast District supervising Dundore, signed off on the use of force report, according to prosecutors, who allege he falsified information despite body camera footage that contradicts his statements.

Among the allegations in the indictment was that Dundore kicked the teen, which was not noted in the use of force report.

"Officer Dundore deliberately kicked Adams in the head while he was handcuffed and securely in the custody of BPD officers without legal justification," the indictment says. "Sergeant O’Leary falsely stated in his report that 'While standing up, Adams grabbed Officer Dundore’s shoe laces causing him to trip. He was able to stand up but his foot inadvertently struck Adams in the left side of his face.'"

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott issued a statement Friday saying public safety and changing the culture in the city were among his priorities.

"I am disgusted by these allegations and remain committed to improving this culture and lack of humanity," Scott said. "Building a safer Baltimore is my top priority. Police can apprehend suspects without unduly harming or degrading them."

The mayor also put in a plug for the city to regain authority of the Baltimore Police Department; it remains a state agency. Voters will decide by referendum whether the city should have full authority, according to The Baltimore Sun, which reported lawmakers passed a bill drafted by Scott giving the city more oversight over the police department.

"I will continue to advocate before the Maryland General Assembly for the necessary local authority to immediately terminate officers for clearly egregious conduct in the interest of public safety," Scott said. "I look forward to a swift and thorough judicial process."

The city's top prosecutor said her aim was also public safety.

"As administrators of the criminal justice system, we are committed to protecting public safety and the well-being of everyone in our community, which is inclusive of those currently incarcerated," State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said in a statement Friday. "These indictments demonstrate our commitment to ensuring one standard of justice for all - regardless of one’s race, sex, religion, or occupation."