For a Stronger, Safer Baltimore.
Our Mission & Vision
City residents deserve law enforcement who serve with integrity and respect, especially during the most difficult circumstances. That’s why we serve Baltimore City by fostering goodwill through strong community relationships, prioritizing human needs, and taking direct action to create safer spaces. We fulfill this mission through multiple distinct divisions.
Departments & Divisions
Court Security
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office Court Security Division protects the Baltimore City Circuit Court. This responsibility includes protecting judges, maintaining order within the courthouse, screening visitors for weapons or contraband, and transporting prisoners to and from the court.
Special Operations Division
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division is responsible for serving criminal warrants issued by the circuit court. The Special Operations Division has three K9 units for Weapon, Narcotics, and Explosive detection.
Criminal Investigation Division
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division consists of detectives who investigate crimes that fall within the purview of the Baltimore City Sheriff. Investigations include threats against the judiciary, housing fraud, narcotics smuggling, witness intimidation, and firearms violations.
Domestic Violence Division
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Division is responsible for the service of domestic violence orders issued by the District Court for Baltimore City. Deputies are responsible for locating and serving respondents for protection from abuse orders.
Field Services
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office Field Services Division is responsible for serving all civil paperwork issued by the circuit court, including Subpoenas, Levies, and Court orders. Members of this division are also responsible for serving eviction orders and posting failure to pay rent notices.
Internal Affairs
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office maintains an Internal Affairs Division to ensure that the Office continues to meet the highest standards. Internal Affairs is responsible for investigating any complaint made by a citizen and any use-of-force incident involving a member of the Sheriff’s Office. The Internal Affairs unit also conducts background investigations of Sheriff’s Office applicants.
Social Worker and Outreach
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office is one of the few in the country to employ a social services outreach division. Social Workers assigned to this unit assist internal and external stakeholders in crisis. Much of the unit’s work is dedicated to helping families and individuals facing eviction to develop a housing plan.
Neighborhood Services Unit
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office established the Neighborhood Services Unit to promote responsible business practices, reduce nuisances, and increase safety in neighborhoods across Baltimore.
The Mission Ahead
Stronger Partnerships for a Stronger Baltimore
As we move forward and make progress in communities across Baltimore City, we continue to follow guiding principles informed by 21st Century Policing Guidelines—a set of strategies and best practices that promote crime reduction, build trust, and keep our officers safe.
Additionally, Sheriff Cogen initiated the first-ever Sheriff’s Office Community Symposium where he met with community leaders from 86 different Baltimore neighborhoods. The Sheriff’s team and neighborhood leaders engaged in an open dialogue, ensuring the expectations of Baltimore’s communities are heard and integrated into the ongoing evolution of the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Cogen is committed to engaging both local and national organizations in new and innovative ways, fostering collaboration that ensures the Sheriff’s Office remains responsive, accountable, and forward-thinking in serving the community.
A Continued Focus on Modernization
For the first time in the 170-year history of the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, a computer sits on the Sheriff’s desk. Delivering on a core campaign promise—Sheriff Cogen has modernized the BCSO, squeezing 30 years of technological upgrades into just two years. The Office continues to leverage technology that increases efficiencies across the entire operation, like the activation of FirstNet and the creation of the first-ever Sheriff’s Data Center.
- Body cameras have been tested as the first step toward full implementation.
- All court papers served by the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office are now entered into an electronic geodatabase for efficient scheduling and smart routing of Deputies.
- Evictions can now be scheduled online, streamlining the process for both tenants and Deputies.
- Deputies report the “Service of Process”—the official delivery of legal papers—via secure tablets, allowing for real-time service notifications.
- The Sheriff’s Communications System has been upgraded to meet modern 911 call center standards.
- Reports are now completed digitally, replacing the outdated paper system previously used by the city police.
- Initial deployment of LIDAR speed enforcement devices, electronic ticketing, and crash investigation tools for Sheriff’s Deputies.
- In-car computers have been deployed for improved data access and communication.