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Moore Taps Sen. Michael Jackson to Lead Maryland State Police as Butler Retires

The transition comes as the agency continues court-ordered hiring reforms following a Justice Department investigation.

Overview

  • Gov. Wes Moore announced that Superintendent Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. will retire on Nov. 1 after more than 31 years in law enforcement.
  • Lt. Col. Daniel C. Pickett will serve as interim superintendent until Michael Jackson begins as acting superintendent on Nov. 12.
  • Jackson is a Democratic state senator and former Prince George’s County sheriff who previously served 22 years with the sheriff’s office.
  • Butler, sworn in as superintendent in April 2023 after a stalled confirmation, was the first Black leader of the Maryland State Police.
  • The department is operating under a 2024 consent decree that includes $2.75 million in payments to affected applicants and requires changes to trooper hiring tests.