FOP Calls on Baltimore Mayor to ‘Reconsider’ Appointment of Police Oversight Official After Tense Traffic Stop

The union that represents Baltimore Police officers called on Mayor Catherine Pugh on Friday to “reconsider” the appointment of Marvin McKenstry as the chair of a police oversight panel, saying body-camera footage from a traffic stop of McKenstry last month — and published by The Baltimore Sun on Friday — showed he is unfit for the job.

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McKenstry, an associate minister at the Victory House of Worship Church in West Baltimore, is chair of the Community Oversight Task Force, which is tasked by the city’s consent decree with the Justice Department to review civilian oversight of the police force.

During the April 13 traffic stop, McKenstry refused 60 requests for his license and registration, as he argued the stop was unlawful. During the stop, McKenstry sought to get in touch with a high-ranking police official who used to serve on the oversight panel with him, prior to being hired by the department in February.

McKenstry called the stop “a misunderstanding that’s been resolved” in an interview with The Sun this week, but declined to comment further.

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In addition to calling for Pugh to reconsider McKenstry’s post, Ryan said McKenstry should apologize to Sgt. Terrence McGowan, the officer who pulled him over, and to pay the $500 in fines assessed to him during the stop.

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Ryan praised McGowan for his “extremely professional manner” during the traffic stop.

“Sgt. McGowan’s response to Mr. McKenstry’s belligerence is a testament to the proper training that our members are currently receiving, and to his own decency,” Ryan wrote. “Mr. McKenstry’s conduct, however, reflects the disrespect and lack of civility that our members meet with daily.”