Baltimore Speakers Series Presents Baltimore City Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld, III

February 26, 2009 |

This spring, Goucher College continues its Baltimore Speakers Series with “To Protect and Serve: A Conversation With Baltimore City Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld, III” on Thursday, February 26, at 7:30 p.m. in  Buchner Hall of the Alumnae/i House. This event is free and open to the public.

The commissioner, who has dedicated the past 26 years to preventing, reducing, and solving violent crimes in Baltimore City, will discuss the role of the police department in the community—particularly its efforts and programs to address the deeper roots of crime and violence.

Bealefeld became a police cadet immediately after graduating from Chesapeake High School in Pasadena, MD, in 1981. He spent the first four years of his career walking a foot patrol in the Western District before being promoted to sergeant in 1987. For 13 years as a sergeant, Bealefeld divided his work between the Southwestern District and the Criminal Investigations Division, where he served in the Homicide Unit. Bealefeld was promoted to lieutenant in October 2000, which marked his move to the Eastern District and into the Criminal Investigation Division shortly thereafter.

During the first two decades of his career, Bealefeld was awarded three unit citations for his dedication to drug enforcement, gun enforcement, and reducing the homicide rate. In 2001, the Homicide Unit was honored for its work in delivering the lowest murder rate Baltimore City had seen in a decade.

From December 2001 through August 2002, Bealefeld was awarded four bronze stars for helping the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore County, Harford County, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office to arrest 37 individuals involved in a major drug ring. During that time, Bealefeld was appointed major and then assigned to the Southern District in mid-2003.

The commissioner’s ascent to the highest post in the Baltimore City Police Department came quickly after appointments to lieutenant colonel, colonel, and deputy commissioner in 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. On July 19, 2007, Mayor Sheila Dixon appointed Bealefeld as acting police commissioner. He was nominated to fill that role permanently in October 2007.

The commissioner lives in Baltimore with his wife and two children.

Goucher’s Baltimore Speakers Series, an initiative of the student government and the administration, brings local journalists, artists, activists, and leaders to campus to discuss the problems and progress of Baltimore and to get more students involved in community service and cultural activities in the city.