ANTHONY G.

BROWN CANDACE MCLAREN LANHAM

Attorney General Chief of Staff

CAROLYN A. QUATTROCKI
Deputy Attorney General

STATE OF MARYLAND
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
FACSIMILE NO. WRITER’S DIRECT DIAL NO.
443-681-1060 410-576-7070

March 24, 2023

Clyde Boatwright
President
Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police
8302 Cove Road
Baltimore, MD 21222

Re: Letter Dated March 24, 2023

Mr. Boatwright:

I have received your letter dated March 24, 2023 in which you demand that because of a
judge’s comments during a recent hearing on a motion for new trial in State v. Richard J. Tallant, I
should not only terminate immediately the Deputy Chief of my Independent Investigations
Division, but also withdraw my support of legislation that would afford the Office of the Attorney
General the authority to prosecute police-involved cases resulting in the serious injury or death of a
civilian. Neither demand is appropriate. First, no one from my office was present during the recent
hearing in Prince George’s County Circuit Court to which you allude. I intend to order and review a
transcript of the hearing. But for me to take – or for you to urge me to take – any action at this
juncture would be an unwise rush to judgment.

Second, even if a personnel action on my part were warranted, your notion that such a
decision would dictate withdrawing Senate Bill 290/House Bill 857 does not follow. It does
profound injustice to the hard-working professionals in the Independent Investigations Division and
to the people of Maryland, who have fought hard for meaningful police reform.

Finally, I will note that Renee Joy has worked for the Office of the Attorney General for
the last 16 months, and we have seen her perform her job with the utmost integrity, dedication, and
care. Nothing in the serious, thoughtful work she has done has caused me to question her integrity.
In every instance, she has shown herself to be an exemplary professional.

Sincerely,

Anthony G. Brown

200 Saint Paul Place ❖ Baltimore, Maryland, 21202-2021

Main Office (410) 576-6300 ❖ Main Office Toll Free (888) 743-0023
www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov