UPDATE: Annapolis Police Chief Speaks Out; Fired After Increased Shootings in City

(Updated at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 9) ANNAPOLIS, MD — After a record number of Annapolis homicides in 2016, Mayor Michael Pantelides fired Police Chief Michael Pristoop on Wednesday saying he was seeking a new direction for law enforcement in the city.

Pristoop had been the chief for nearly nine years. His dismissal follows a violent year in the city, with 12 deaths in 12 months. Major Scott Baker will serve as acting chief while the city searches for a new top cop.

On Thursday morning, Pristoop said in a statement on his departure that “it has been a sincere privilege and the honor of my professional life to lead the Annapolis Police Department and serve alongside some of the most dedicated and committed law enforcement professionals in this country. I am incredibly proud of the many public safety accomplishments that have made Annapolis a safer and stronger community. I wish the very best to our hardworking police officers and ask that our city continue to support them to build upon their progress and continue to forge strong bonds with the community we serve.”

Pristoop's contract calls for his firing to take effect 45 days from Feb. 8, so the chief is effectively on paid leave until then, the Capital-Gazette reports. Pristoop's annual salary is $153,489.

“This change is not about the person, but rather about creating a new direction for policing and enforcement efforts, while generating new initiatives in our police department,” Pantelides said in a statement, according to WBAL.

The news station notes that police have pointed to opioid abuse as one reason for a spike in crime. Last fall, Pristoop noted in a letter to the mayor that violent crime in Annapolis was half of what it was a decade ago, according to FoxBaltimore.

The Annapolis area has seen a spate of shootings in recent months. On Jan. 16, authorities charged Calum Jeramiah Thomas, 19, from the 10th block of Washington Drive in Annapolis, with the Jan. 2 fatal shooting of Terry Paul Crouse, 55, from the 1800 block of Kimberwicke Place in Annapolis. Investigators say Crouse's shooting was not a random act of violence, but police have not disclosed what the motive might be for the shooting.

Annapolis Police had recently asked for the public's help in finding an Annapolis man wanted for the murder of George Forrester, 40, of Severn. The fatal shooting happened Jan. 16 in the 700 block of Newtowne Drive. Forrester was found in the area suffering from apparent gunshot wounds; he was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. Lawrence Montague, 27, of Annapolis was arrested Jan. 23 for Forrester's murder, Annapolis Police say.

Authorities are also investigating a fatal shooting that happened Jan. 23 in the 1200 block of Madison Street in the Harbour House community, according to police. Officers found the victim shortly before 8:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Madison Street and he was taken to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.

And on Feb. 2 a man was shot in the 1100 block of Frederick Douglass Street. The victim, Terrance Hicks, 38, of Annapolis, was found by police to be suffering from non-life threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital. Trey Thorpe, 31, of Baltimore is being sought on an arrest warrant for attempted first-degree murder and related charges.

Image via Shutterstock