Clyde Boatwright pledges to tackle crime in Baltimore County sheriff race

Keith Daniels

Fox45 News

April 3, 2025

Clyde Boatwright, a long-time Baltimore County resident and seasoned law enforcement officer, announced his candidacy for Baltimore County Sheriff on Wednesday, aiming to shake up the county’s law enforcement landscape.

“I am prepared to serve and I am ready to lead,” said Boatwright outside the Baltimore County Circuit Court building, surrounded by supporters. He emphasized his commitment to reducing crime, saying, “You might ask me, why now… the answer is simple, we have a crime and violence problem in our county.”

Boatwright, who has over 20 years of experience with the Baltimore City School Police and currently serves as president of the Maryland Fraternal Order of Police and the Baltimore City School Police Union, thanked current sheriff, R. Jay Fisher for his service but said, “I want his job.” Fisher has held the position since December 2002. Boatwright believes Fisher is not doing enough to ensure residents’ safety as police grapple with more crime in the county.

“We’re going to be visible, we’re going to be accessible, we’re going to be accountable to the community,” said Boatwright, who stressed the importance of sheriff’s deputies being active in the community.

“It’s important for the sheriff’s deputies to get out of the courtroom and into the communities. Crime is less likely to happen when you see uniform police officers and uniformed sheriff’s deputies all working in unison together.”

Boatwright acknowledged that his announcement comes early, with the primary election not scheduled until June 2026. But he said he wants voters to have ample time to get to know him and trust his capability to lead.