BALTIMORE (WBFF) — With Election Day just over a week away, Baltimore City Sheriff Sam Cogen is facing renewed scrutiny after the Baltimore City police union’s president urged members to vote him out.
The Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3 posted a message Wednesday on X from union President Mike Mancuso calling for members to “vote Sheriff Cogen out.” In a letter, Mancuso wrote that Cogen lacks “credibility and integrity,” which he described as “absolute requirements” for the sheriff position.
According to the letter, a key point of contention for Mancuso is Cogen’s involvement as the lead investigator for then-City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby during the Freddie Gray investigation. In 2015, Mosby charged six police officers in connection to Gray’s death. Gray died while unrestrained in a police transport van. The cases ultimately ended with acquittals or dropped charges.
Political analyst John Dedie described the letter as forceful but emotional.
“It was a strong letter, but it seemed angry more than anything else,” Dedie said.
Dedie said the dispute reflects lingering resentment tied to the Gray case and Mosby’s prosecution decisions.
“The problem is there’s some things that people can never let go of and the FOP will never let go of anybody who was involved in any way regarding Marilyn Mosby’s investigation into the police after the Freddie Gray incident where he was killed,” Dedie said.
The union’s letter comes after Cogen’s public announcement last week of what he called a new “enforcement coalition” targeting the city’s illegal smoke shops, which officials say prey on children. At that announcement June 4, Cogen described tactics he said would be used in the effort.
“We’re gonna be sending underage cadets into your stores, right, to try to buy tobacco and cannabis. And we’re going to be sending undercover deputy sheriffs into your stories to try and buy cannabis,” Cogen said.
Despite the pushback from the police union, Dedie said political dynamics could still favor Cogen in the race.
“I would bet on Sam Cogan for a couple of reasons. First, he’s the incumbent. Incumbents generally have the advantage. Second, there hasn’t been any major scandal or faux pas, no terrible, awful things that have gained headlines,” Dedie said.
Cogen’s office was contacted about the FOP letter. A spokesperson responded, “We have no comment.”
The FOP did not endorse Cogen for sheriff when he was elected four years ago. Dedie described the latest dispute as another example of bad blood between the union and Cogen.
Follow FOX45 reporter Keith Daniels on X and Facebook. Send tips to Kdaniels@sbgtv.com.
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