It came on the heels of Freddie Gray's funeral---a growing group of rock-slinging protestors faced off with police on the outskirts of Mondawmin Mall and the public disturbance grew into a full-scale riot in Baltimore with looting all over the city.
First Sergeant Richard Carroll was charged with deploying the Maryland State Police Mobile Field Force.
"Seeing those officers being injured left a really sick feeling in my stomach,” Carroll said. "And when you're there getting those bricks and you're watching people get hurt, the last thing I want is to see our people get hurt and I just felt there was a better way."
In the aftermath of the riots, Carroll was directed to double the size of his force---to better train, outfit and prepare them for the future.
His first priority? Finding the right equipment.
"So we started looking around the world, overseas, the London Metropolitan Police Department handles these kinds of things on a regular basis so we went and discovered the type of equipment they're using," Carroll said.
The state police now have half a million dollars’ worth of new riot shields, helmets and full body suits that can withstand a brick traveling at 40 mph.
But all of that equipment doesn't help much if you don't know how to use it, and to that end, Carroll has now trained more than a thousand officers from throughout the region.
It was a tall task, but one which Captain Sean Morris knew Carroll could handle.
After all, he originally trained him for the SWAT team after Carroll returned from his service in the U.S. Marine Corps.
"(It) was not insurmountable for him, but I knew it would be for a lot of people,” said Morris. "But with his background and his dedication to not only to the Maryland State Police, but for the citizens of Maryland, you'll find no better man or woman for that job."
"I just felt like if my name was going to be on the program then it was going to be done right and we were going to be professional in everything we do,” added Carroll. "And any time anyone needs help, we want to be there to help."
Captain Morris nominated the 38-year old from Bel Air for a "40 Under 40” award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Carroll will be recognized next week in San Diego as one of an elite handful of young law enforcement professionals from around the world who are truly making a difference.
