Barksdale, Baltimore Police No. 2, out indefinitely

Some officials express concern as new commissioner arrives

In naming Batts as commissioner, Rawlings-Blake praised Barksdale's work, saying he has "done a great job and is a valued member of the Police Department command staff. I'm truly grateful for his service to Baltimore."

Young said earlier this month that he had contacted Barksdale and asked him to stay.

"Barksdale was sort of like the architect of the whole crime-fighting initiative for Commissioner Bealefeld," he said, adding that Batts needs an opportunity to learn from Barksdale and Deputy Commissioner John Skinner. "Those guys are top cops, and they get it."

The City Council has not yet held a confirmation hearing for Batts.

Young said he will give Rawlings-Blake "the courtesy of supporting her appointee," but that he still has "concerns as to the learning curve" Batts faces coming into a new city. The rest of the department will have to step up to support him in the absence of Barksdale and Oden, he said.

"I'm hoping that the majors and the lieutenants and sergeants, really that everybody, reaches out to him," Young said. "The mayor said Batts is the best, so he should be able to recover and do what he needs to do to continually reduce crime in Baltimore."

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