12 arrested in protest over police at Baltimore City Hall

BALTIMORE — Demonstrators concerned about police use of force staged a sit-in at a Baltimore City Hall hearing to consider a new police commissioner, leading to 12 arrests before the protest was broken up early Thursday.

The demonstration, which came six months after rioting set off by the death of a black man in police custody, interrupted proceedings Wednesday night on whether to give Baltimore's interim police commissioner, Kevin Davis, the permanent job as the city's top police officer.

The hearing proceeded despite protesters' chants and three of the five committee members voted in favor of Davis' confirmation. The council members spoke over the melee. The full City Council could vote on Davis' appointment as early as Monday.

About three dozen protesters, some of whom were identified as members of Baltimore City Bloc, a grass-roots activist group of high school students, had remained in City Hall after midnight. Some followed police orders to leave but about 12 refused and were arrested and charged with trespassing, Baltimore police said.

Davis was appointed temporary commissioner in July after Anthony Batts was fired from the job amid a skyrocketing murder rate and days of racially fueled protests in April following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody.

Six officers have been charged in Gray's death and face trials.

Some of the demonstrators said police have shown heightened aggression when dealing with protesters since Davis took command.

Davis told protesters he would meet with them and hear their concerns.