The vote clears the way for Lt. Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. to become the first African American superintendent in the department’s 102-year history.
Butler last month for the post, calling him “the best person to move the department forward.”
But the nomination faced head winds from the start, with some senators questioning whether a veteran was the best choice to lead an agency beingThe appointment was confirmed with a 43-4 vote, following an attempt by Sen. Joanne C. Benson , who has fielded complaints by Black troopers for more than a decade, to delay it.Some senators have raised questions as to whether Butler did anything to change the culture during his tenure. He has said he was not in charge of the agency.
Butler, who began his career as a trooper, led the Field Operations Bureau and was responsible for a patrol force of more than 1,000 troopers assigned to 23 barracks across the state. He has worked on the superintendent’s staff, in the Office of Equity and Inclusion and within the Maryland State Police’s Support Services Bureau.Sen. Michael A.
Butler told the panel this week that he was aware of the “range of troubling issues” that faced the department, including “bias and discrimination, inappropriate behavior, and concerns regarding the promotional process.”In an email to senators, he said the he was “absolutely committed to righting the wrongs within the Department of State Police.”
His said his plan includes an “increase investment in recruitment and retentions to rebuild our ranks and revitalize morale,” and pledged to reorganize the agency to create more opportunities for advancement. He also said he would develop a fair and transparent merit-based promotions system, and bolster staffing and expertise in the office of Equity and Inclusion “so that trooper concerns and complaints are addressed in a more timely manner,” among other changes.
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