8/13/2019 News Release Commissioner Robinsion Final

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Anthony W. BattsPOLICE COMMISSIONER

Lt. Eric KowalczykMe ia Relations Section

B ALTIMORE P OLICE D EPARTMENTME!IA R ELA"IONS S EC"ION

Passing of Police Commissioner Bishop L. Robinson Baltimore, Md., January 6, 2014 It is with great sadness that the Baltimore PoliceDepartment announces the passing of former Police Commissioner Bishop L. Robinson atthe age of 86. Commissioner Robinson was the first frican merican PoliceCommissioner in the histor! of the Baltimore Police Department ser"ing in that role from#$8% #$8&.

'hen Commissioner Robinson (oined the police department in #$)* the role and scope offrican merican officers was se"erel! restricted. frican merican officers were notallowed to patrol white neighborhoods or use patrol cars. During his career the +nited

,tates saw the ad"ancement of the Ci"il Rights mo"ement- opening the door forCommissioner Robinson to ad"ance in ran . /is ascendanc! to command the BaltimorePolice Department is a testament to his perse"erance- character- and dedication to dut!.0ighting through a culture that was in the midst of changing- Commissioner Robinsongained the respect and admiration of his peers and subordinates. Commissioner Robinsonser"ed in a "ariet! of assignments throughout his distinguished career- and in *11&- thenne2 /ead3uarters Building located at 0a!ette ,treet and President ,treet was namedafter him.

4'e ha"e lost a true pioneer in the histor! of the Baltimore Police Department-5 saidPolice Commissioner nthon! Batts. 4/is legac! is one of ser"ice and continues to be a

source of inspiration for officers toda!. I sit here in this position as a result of his strongleadership as a trailbla er. I7m humbled b! this giant of a man- a police leader.5

Commissioner Robinson was one of the founding members of the ational 9rgani ation ofBlac Law :nforcement :2ecuti"es. 9BL: is recogni ed as one of the nations largestand most effecti"e public ser"ice organi ations dedicated to ser"ing the law enforcementneeds of frican merican communities. /is in"ol"ement as a founding member helpedcement the position of the Baltimore Police Department as a leader in the field.

0uneral arrangements are pending at this time.

n!one needing further information contact the ;edia Relations ,ection at %#1