Former Baltimore Police Officer Requests Compassionate Release Due to Terminal Cancer

In a recent plea before a federal judge, Daniel Hersl, a former Baltimore police officer, seeks compassionate release from prison following a dire medical diagnosis. Hersl, the oldest member of the disbanded Gun Trace Task Force, had been convicted in 2018 as part of the department's corruption scandal for charges of racketeering and robbery.

The 53-year-old ex-detective has been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, which has aggressively spread to his lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and more. According to a prison doctor's assessment, Hersl's life expectancy is less than 18 months, prompting his request for home detention.

As of now, a decision on his plea is pending.

Hersl was one of eight indicted members of the Gun Trace Task Force, originally established to combat illegal gun proliferation in a city plagued by violent crime. However, these officers veered off course, engaging in criminal activities that included robbing drug dealers, planting contraband on innocent individuals, and assaulting unsuspecting civilians. The scandal led to the conviction of over a dozen officers since 2017, resulting in the dismissal of numerous cases that relied on their testimonies.

Prosecutors underscored that Hersl had abused his authority, exploiting those he encountered during his tenure as an officer. Additionally, he had committed overtime fraud, using taxpayer dollars for personal endeavors, such as a month-long renovation project on his house while officially on duty.

Efforts have been made by city leaders to reform the Baltimore Police Department, which remains under a federal consent decree. This decree arose after an investigation by the Department of Justice revealed a pattern of unconstitutional and discriminatory policing practices, especially against Black residents.