{{Short description|American police officer (born 1968 or 1969)}} {{good article}} {{Use American English|date=January 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | image = Michael S. Harrison (47332535142) (1).jpg | alt = | caption = Harrison in 2019 | office = [[Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department]] | term_start = January 2019{{ref label|aaa|a}} | term_end = June 8, 2023 | deputy = | predecessor = [[Gary Tuggle]] (acting) | successor = [[Richard Worley (police officer)|Richard Worley]] | office1 = Superintendent of the {{nowrap|[[New Orleans Police Department]]}} | term_start1 = October 14, 2014 | term_end1 = January 18, 2019 | predecessor1 = [[Ronal W. Serpas]] | successor1 = Shaun Ferguson | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|54|2023|6|8}} | children = 2 | education = {{ubl|[[University of Phoenix]]|[[Loyola University New Orleans]]}} | module = {{Infobox police officer | department = {{ubl|class=nowrap|[[New Orleans Police Department]]|[[Baltimore Police Department]]}} | country = United States | service_years = 1991–2023 | rank = | embed = yes }} | footnotes = a. {{note|aaa||Acting until March 12, 2019}} }}
'''Michael S. Harrison''' (born 1968 or 1969) is an American former police officer who served as [[commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department]] (BPD) from 2019 to 2023. He was also the superintendent of the [[New Orleans Police Department]] (NOPD) from 2014 to 2019.
A graduate of the [[University of Phoenix]] and [[Loyola University New Orleans]], Harrison joined the NOPD in 1991. He rose through the ranks of the department, ultimately becoming superintendent in August 2014, appointed by Mayor [[Mitch Landrieu]] to replace [[Ronal Serpas]]. During his time as superintendent, homicide and shooting rates fell, but theft significantly increased. He was reappointed as superintendent in May 2018. While he was recommended as a candidate for commissioner of the BPD, Harrison declined, wishing to remain with the NOPD. Despite this, Harrison ultimately agreed to join the BPD in January 2019 after leading candidate Joel Fitzgerald dropped out. Harrison officially became commissioner in March, a position he held until his resignation in June 2023, after which [[Richard Worley (police officer)|Richard Worley]] was appointed as acting commissioner. As commissioner, Harrison claimed decreases in homicides and shootings.
== Early life == Harrison was born in 1968 or 1969.<ref name="Banner1">{{Cite news |last=Fenton |first=Justin |author-link=Justin Fenton |last2=Conarck |first2=Ben |last3=Sullivan |first3=Emily |last4=Willis |first4=Adam |date=June 8, 2023 |title=Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison stepping down |work=[[The Baltimore Banner]] |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/michael-harrison-baltimore-police-department-6CYW6JBFSJFNJAQY73XCL3UNTM/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114041311/https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/michael-harrison-baltimore-police-department-6CYW6JBFSJFNJAQY73XCL3UNTM/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He received a [[bachelor's degree]] in criminal justice from the [[University of Phoenix]] and a [[Master's degree|master's]] from [[Loyola University New Orleans]]. He graduated from the Senior Management Institute for Police, [[Northwestern University]]'s School of Police Staff and Command, and the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]'s National Executive Institute.<ref name="WMAR1">{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Commissioner Michael Harrison: "Better Days Are Coming" |url=https://www.wmar2news.com/podcasts/commissioner-michael-harrison-better-days-are-coming |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=[[WMAR]] |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114041305/https://www.wmar2news.com/podcasts/commissioner-michael-harrison-better-days-are-coming |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Career == === New Orleans Police Department === Harrison joined the [[New Orleans Police Department]] in 1991. He became a sergeant in the Major Case Narcotics Section in 1995,<ref name="WBAL6">{{Cite web |last=Fulginiti |first=Jenny |last2=Miller |first2=Jayne |last3=Amara |first3=Kate |date=January 8, 2019 |title=New Orleans police superintendent named mayor's new pick for Baltimore police commissioner |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/new-orleans-police-chief-named-mayors-new-pick-for-baltimore-police-commissioner/25794262 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116035008/https://www.wbaltv.com/article/new-orleans-police-chief-named-mayors-new-pick-for-baltimore-police-commissioner/25794262 |url-status=live}}</ref> a sergeant for the Eighth District in 1999, and Sergeant of the Public Integrity Bureau in 2000, in which he participated in [[covert investigation]]s against officers.<ref name="WVUE1">{{Cite web |last=Finch |first=Chris |date=January 8, 2023 |title=NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison leaving for Baltimore, city leaders share thoughts |url=https://www.fox8live.com/2019/01/08/nopd-superintendent-michael-harrison-leaving-baltimore-report-says/ |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219200557/https://www.fox8live.com/2019/01/08/nopd-superintendent-michael-harrison-leaving-baltimore-report-says/ |url-status=live}}</ref> During one such mission, he posed as a corrupt officer to help take down corrupt officers and a drug ring.<ref name="Banner2">{{Cite web |last=Fenton |first=Justin |author-link=Justin Fenton |date=March 14, 2023 |title=An uncertain future for BPD Commissioner Michael Harrison as he enters last year of contract |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/michael-harrison-baltimore-police-department-CYIJ3YPGM5ECDAC2SUHQOWOZA4/ |website=[[The Baltimore Banner]] |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114041304/https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/michael-harrison-baltimore-police-department-CYIJ3YPGM5ECDAC2SUHQOWOZA4/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2006, he was appointed Lieutenant of the Public Integrity Bureau. In January 2009, he was appointed Lieutenant and Assistant District Commander of the Seventh District, before returning to the Public Integrity Bureau in 2010. He became Commander of the Specialized Investigations Division of the Public Integrity Bureau, which manages the [[narcotic]]s, [[vice]], [[criminal intelligence]], and [[gang enforcement]] units, in January 2011.<ref name="WVUE1" /><ref name="WBAL6" />
He was appointed superintendent by Mayor [[Mitch Landrieu]] in August 2014 to replace outgoing Superintendent [[Ronal Serpas]], during which the department was under a federal [[consent decree]].<ref name="WVUE1" /><ref name="WMAR1" /><ref name="Advocate1">{{Cite news |last=Sledge |first=Matt |last2=Vargas |first2=Ramon |date=January 9, 2019 |title=New Orleans police chief Michael Harrison hired in Baltimore, to depart NOPD, officials announce |work=[[The Advocate (Louisiana){{!}}The Advocate]] |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/crime_police/new-orleans-police-chief-michael-harrison-hired-in-baltimore-to-depart-nopd-officials-announce/article_012f5a90-1350-11e9-91b6-8745cd3ff60a.html |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116220638/https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/crime_police/new-orleans-police-chief-michael-harrison-hired-in-baltimore-to-depart-nopd-officials-announce/article_012f5a90-1350-11e9-91b6-8745cd3ff60a.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2018, while he was superintendent, New Orleans saw 146 homicides, the lowest figure since 1971, a 28% drop in lethal shootings, while car robberies and thefts had increased in the double digits.<ref name="Advocate1" /> He was reappointed as superintendent in May 2018 before informing Mayor [[LaToya Cantrell]] of his retirement from the department for Baltimore in 2019.<ref name="WVUE1" /> He served 27 years with the department.<ref name="WBAL6" /> Cantrell named Shaun Ferguson to replace Harrison on January 14.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sledge |first=Matt |last2=Vargas |first2=Ramon Antonio |date=February 2, 2019 |title=For Shaun Ferguson, a West Bank police 'brotherhood' helped drive his rise to NOPD chief |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/crime_police/for-shaun-ferguson-a-west-bank-police-brotherhood-helped-drive-his-rise-to-nopd-chief/article_508bf358-2658-11e9-829e-0bb4fd109dc2.html |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The Advocate]] |language=en}}</ref>
=== Baltimore Police Department === [[File:Funeral Service for Officer Holley (51815330307) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Harrison as commissioner, 2022|upright=0.8|alt=Harrison, in police uniform, speaking on a black-purple background]] While [[Gary Tuggle]] was acting commissioner following the resignation of [[Darryl D. DeSousa]], a search panel recommended Harrison, however, Harrison declined, saying he was committed to New Orleans. Mayor [[Catherine Pugh]] chose Joel Fitzgerald, the chief of the [[Fort Worth Police Department]], to become commissioner. Fitzgerald, however, withdrew his candidacy due to resumé issues and a medical emergency involving his son,<ref name="Advocate1" /> and Harrison agreed to become acting commissioner in January 2019.<ref name="Banner2" /><ref name="WBAL6" />
Harrison became the 41st [[commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department]] on March 12, 2019,<ref name="WMAR1" /> during which the [[Baltimore Police Department]] was under another federal consent decree due to unconstitutional policing.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Jayne |last2=Melser |first2=Lowell |last3=Snyder |first3=Ron |title=Baltimore, DOJ reach deal on consent decree for police reforms |work=[[WBAL-TV]] |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-justice-department-reach-deal-on-consent-decree-for-police-reforms/8590916 |access-date=2024-01-15 |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114141430/https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-justice-department-reach-deal-on-consent-decree-for-police-reforms/8590916 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pryor |first=Rebecca |date=June 8, 2023 |title=Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison leaves mixed legacy |work=[[WBFF]] |url=https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/baltimore-policecommissioner-michael-harrison-leaves-mixed-legacy |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114041307/https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/baltimore-policecommissioner-michael-harrison-leaves-mixed-legacy |url-status=live}}</ref> While commissioner, he claimed a decrease in homicides and non-fatal shootings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simms |first=Barry |date=February 28, 2023 |title=Baltimore beginning to see results of crime, violence reduction strategies, Harrison says |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-crime-violence-strategies-police-commissioner/43122469 |website=[[WBAL-TV]] |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114051322/https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-crime-violence-strategies-police-commissioner/43122469 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Tom |last2=Rogers |first2=Teria |last3=Sivak |first3=Rob |last4=Pinkard-Pierre |first4=Malarie |date=April 21, 2023 |title=BPD Comm. Michael Harrison on public safety and a youth curfew |url=https://www.wypr.org/show/midday/2023-04-21/bpd-comm-michael-harrison-on-public-safety-and-a-youth-curfew |website=[[WYPR]] |access-date=2024-01-15 |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114041305/https://www.wypr.org/show/midday/2023-04-21/bpd-comm-michael-harrison-on-public-safety-and-a-youth-curfew |url-status=live}}</ref>
On June 6, 2023, during a budget hearing, [[Baltimore City Council]] member Eric Costello asked Harrison if he planned to stay for the entirety of his term as police commissioner. Unhappy with his answer, he reiterated his question twice, then, still dissatisfied with his answer, abruptly called a five-minute [[recess (break)|recess]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Tommie |date=Jun 6, 2023 |title='I'm going to take a five-minute recess': Councilman walks out of police budget hearing |work=[[WBAL-TV]] |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-city-police-budget-hearing-2024-costello-walks-out/44111325 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608122159/https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-city-police-budget-hearing-2024-costello-walks-out/44111325 |url-status=live}}</ref> Harrison denied rumors that he was going to [[Washington, D.C.]], at the end of his contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2023 |title=Baltimore police Commissioner Michael Harrison fields questions on his future |url=https://www.wbal.com/baltimore-police-commissioner-michael-harrison-fields-questions-on-his-future/ |website=[[WBAL Newsradio 1090]] |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114041308/https://www.wbal.com/baltimore-police-commissioner-michael-harrison-fields-questions-on-his-future/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On June 8, 2023, Mayor [[Brandon Scott]], after "numerous conversations over the past few weeks," announced Harrison's resignation and the appointment of deputy commissioner [[Richard Worley (police officer)|Richard Worley]] as acting commissioner, the 11th change of power since 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2023 |title=Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison to step down |url=https://www.wbal.com/baltimore-police-commissioner-michael-harrison-to-step-down/ |website=[[WBAL Newsradio 1090]] |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114041307/https://www.wbal.com/baltimore-police-commissioner-michael-harrison-to-step-down/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He said he has no offers, had not been interviewed for any jobs, and wants to "breathe".<ref name="Banner1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hofstaedter |first=Emily |date=June 8, 2023 |title=Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison steps down early; Mayor names interim |url=https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2023-06-08/baltimore-city-police-commissioner-michael-harrison-steps-down-early-mayor-names-interim |website=[[WYPR]] |access-date=2024-01-15 |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114041306/https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2023-06-08/baltimore-city-police-commissioner-michael-harrison-steps-down-early-mayor-names-interim |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Personal life == Harrison married his [[high school sweetheart]] in 1992. They have two children.<ref name="WMAR1" /> {{As of|March 2023}}, he was the president of the [[board of directors]] of the [[Police Executive Research Forum]].<ref name="Banner2" /> == References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{C-SPAN|98358}}
{{s-start}} {{s-civ|pol}} {{succession box|before=Gary Tuggle (''acting'')|title=[[Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department]]|years=2019–2023|after=[[Richard Worley (police officer)|Richard Worley]]}} {{succession box|before=[[Ronal W. Serpas]]|title=Superintendent of the [[New Orleans Police Department]]|years=2014–2019|after=Shaun Ferguson}} {{s-end}} {{Baltimore Police Department}} {{Commissioners of the Baltimore Police Department|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, Michael S.}} [[Category:1960s births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Commissioners of the Baltimore Police Department]] [[Category:Chiefs of the New Orleans Police Department]] [[Category:University of Phoenix alumni]] [[Category:Loyola University New Orleans alumni]] [[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]