January 3rd, 2022 by WCBC Radio

As he enters his final year serving in the Maryland General Assembly, Delegate Wendell Beitzel says he wants to put a halt to, or at least slow down what he says are ongoing efforts to defund the police. In 2021, the General Assembly passed a number of extensive police reform measures. While supporters say these are simply efforts designed to protect the public from overzealous officers and to hold the law enforcement community accountable for their actions- critics see a number of problems; including placing severe restrictions on police officers that could hinder their ability to keep the peace. Beitzel, a Republican who represents Garrett County, says these sweeping reforms actually provide more protection for criminals, while making police officers more vulnerable. He says its an alarming trend in Annapolis…