BALTIMORE, MD – City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young will introduce a resolution during tonight’s City Council meeting honoring outgoing Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III for his 31 years of service and leadership that helped lead to historic lows in violent crimes.

Commissioner Bealefeld started his career as a foot patrolman in west Baltimore in the early 1980s and steadily rose through the department’s ranks over the next three decades. He was selected as commissioner in 2007, at a time when City crime rates were increasing.

Commissioner Bealefeld steered the department away from its controversial “zero tolerance” policies and implemented a more community-friendly approach that focused on what he termed “bad guys with guns.” During his time as commissioner arrests dropped by more than 32,000 between 2007 and 2011, and homicides and overall violent crime fell.

“On behalf of our citizens, I would like to thank Commissioner Bealefeld for his lifetime of service,” Council President Young said. “His focus on repairing community relations and rejection of ‘zero tolerance’ policies greatly contributed to historic lows in many violent crime categories. Our next police commissioner will certainly have large shoes to fill.”

Council President Young’s resolution will be introduced today at 5 p.m. at City Hall during tonight’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting.