Baltimore's Top Cop Sacked As Killings Soar
The move comes amid a sharp increase in violence across the city following the death of Freddie Gray.
Baltimore's police commissioner has been sacked amid a citywide spike in killings following the riots over Freddie Gray's death.
Anthony Batts will be replaced on an interim basis by Deputy Commissioner Kevin Davis, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's office said in a statement.
At a news conference, the mayor said: "We need a change."
She thanked Mr Batts, whom she appointed commissioner in 2012, for his service but added that "too many" people continue to die on the streets of Baltimore.
Some 155 people have been killed across the city in 2015 - an increase of 48% over the same period last year.
May was the city's deadliest month in 25 years with 42 murders recorded, according to The Baltimore Sun.
"We cannot continue to have the level of violence we've seen," Ms Rawlings-Blake said.
"This was not an easy decision but it is one that is in the best interest of Baltimore."
The city was rocked by riots in April following the death of Mr Gray, who suffered a spinal injury while in police custody.
Six police officers have been charged in the case.
The Department of Justice is conducting a civil rights review of the police department's use of force.
A medical examiner found that Mr Gray suffered a "high-energy injury" which led to his death in the back of a police van.
The autopsy report said the 25-year-old's death could not be ruled an accident and was instead a homicide because officers in the van failed to follow safety procedures "through acts of omission".
Mr Gray died a week after his arrest, which was partially caught on video.
source: Baltimore's Top Cop Sacked As Killings Soar
The move comes amid a sharp increase in violence across the city following the death of Freddie Gray.
Baltimore's police commissioner has been sacked amid a citywide spike in killings following the riots over Freddie Gray's death.
Anthony Batts will be replaced on an interim basis by Deputy Commissioner Kevin Davis, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's office said in a statement.
At a news conference, the mayor said: "We need a change."
She thanked Mr Batts, whom she appointed commissioner in 2012, for his service but added that "too many" people continue to die on the streets of Baltimore.
Some 155 people have been killed across the city in 2015 - an increase of 48% over the same period last year.
May was the city's deadliest month in 25 years with 42 murders recorded, according to The Baltimore Sun.
"We cannot continue to have the level of violence we've seen," Ms Rawlings-Blake said.
"This was not an easy decision but it is one that is in the best interest of Baltimore."
The city was rocked by riots in April following the death of Mr Gray, who suffered a spinal injury while in police custody.
Six police officers have been charged in the case.
The Department of Justice is conducting a civil rights review of the police department's use of force.
A medical examiner found that Mr Gray suffered a "high-energy injury" which led to his death in the back of a police van.
The autopsy report said the 25-year-old's death could not be ruled an accident and was instead a homicide because officers in the van failed to follow safety procedures "through acts of omission".
Mr Gray died a week after his arrest, which was partially caught on video.
source: Baltimore's Top Cop Sacked As Killings Soar
