Salisbury Police Chief announces retirement
Image: City of Salisbury
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan has announced her retirement, effective June 30th.
Duncan began her career with the City of Salisbury in November 2010, hired under the leadership of former mayor Jim Ireton. As of February 2023, Duncan oversees a police force of 135, including 103 sworn officers, 17 civilian staff, 13 public safety communications positions, and 2 Animal Control positions.
Duncan was hired during a period of the highest crime rates in the city’s history. Through extensive analysis and a data-driven approach to crime reduction, the City of Salisbury has seen a significant decrease in violent crime and Part 1 crime since 2010.
Duncan has also instituted major change in the department, including re-instituting the Department’s K-9 program, reimagining the Criminal Investigations Division, building a Crisis Intervention team and Co-Responder pilot project, and developing the Police Complaint Mediation process in partnership with Community Mediation Maryland and Tri Community Mediation.
“Of my contributions, I am most proud of the cultural shift within the agency from being reactive to proactive in areas of crime reduction, officer safety, community engagement, and partnership-building,” said Duncan. “We were able to make this shift as an agency through the use of data analysis, overhauling training processes, and an unwavering commitment to forging collaborative partnerships between officers, law enforcement departments in the region, and the communities they serve. We have successfully maintained these critical connections and changed the way our community sees the Salisbury Police Department.”
“Chief Duncan has left an indelible mark on this City, and sets an example for all leaders in policing across the country,” said Mayor Heath. “Her diligence, strong leadership, and holistic approaches to policing have completely revolutionized the Salisbury Police Department and she has built a strong team that is disciplined and dedicated. The progress will not end here–I know this team will continue to make Salisbury a safer place to live with the values that Chief Duncan has instilled in them. Thank you, Barb, for your service to our City, and congratulations on your retirement.”
We’re told the City of Salisbury will be conducting a national search for a new Chief of Police in the coming months.
