Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble is known for keeping within his lane when talking about political issues. While he does need to run for election, the Sheriff has made it a point to limit his opinion to only things he knows best, which comes down to law enforcement.
With an entire career devoted to policing, including serving on state-wide boards reviewing use of force policies, it came to no surprise to the Spy that Gamble has more than a few thoughts regarding the State of Maryland’s new laws related to law enforcement.
Just weeks ago, Annapolis lawmakers overrode Governor Hogan’s veto to pass one of the country’s most sweeping police reform bills. From the mandatory use of video cams for all police officers, new disclosure protocols of law officer records, to the repeal of Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, the net results makes the lives of Joe Gamble and other law enforcement peers a lot more challenging in the years to come.
While Sheriff Gamble had strong opinions about many of these reforms, including his support of the the police cam mandate, he saved his strongest criticism for the new officer disciplinary process, which fundamentally changes his management role, and in fact eliminates his ability to discipline his officers.
In a series of conversations with Joe Gamble over the next few months, we share his views of this change of law and process, as well as his concerns as a publicly elected officer held accountable for the conduct of his department.
This video is approximately four minutes in length.
Henry Herr says
Isn’t it the responsibility as an elected official to be able to adapt to new laws? Isn’t that like the point of passing laws? It’s clear there is a problem in police discipline in this country. So the Sheriff is criticizing a process that he has yet to partake already criticizing before seeing if it could work? Where is it written that part of the duties of a Sheriff must be to discipline officers? Why is Sheriff Gamble’s Facebook page public with Newsmax, Fox News and other right wing “likes?” That doesn’t seem to me that he doesn’t stay out of politics. There is even criticism of legal peaceful protesting (kneeling during the Anthem at sporting events). As a citizen he has every right to believe what he wants, but as an elected official, if you maintain a public profile with your likes and support, doesn’t that mean you want people to know? If not, isn’t it concerning the Sheriff doesn’t even know what he is representing publicly? From my interactions with Sheriff Gamble, he has certainly not maintained a low political profile.
Jonathan Holland says
We need the reforms because the majority of police commanders do nothing when rogue police kill people. I’m white, 55, and afraid of the police. Though I’ve had no encounters with law enforcement in Maryland I had too many unpleasant and unnecessary encounters. Wrongly arrested because the cop couldn’t read the fugitive warrant and notice I’m not an African American. So the discipline needs to be handled by an outside panel.
Deirdre LaMotte says
An aside remark…when did the Police begin calling
people “civilians”? We are “citizens”, as they are.
It strikes me as a militaristic view of people as in
always ready for combat instead of protecting us.
That aggressive frame of mind is causing major problems in our nation. Time to tone it all down or join the armed forces.
James Brennan says
I worked in government for 37 years. My work performance was regularly reviewed and sometimes challenged by auditors and Inspectors General from outside my agency and Command. That is a necessary part of managing employees who execute the Public Trust.
Talbot County law enforcement personnel and Sheriff Gamble must expect their work performance will be reviewed by authorities outside their agency to insure they deliver the best service to their employer, the citizens of Talbot County.
I thank The Talbot Spy for providing this insight into our County Sheriff’s Office.