Maj. Neill Franklin (Ret.)

Major Neill Franklin is a 34-year law enforcement veteran of the Maryland State Police and Baltimore Police Department. During his time on the force, he held the position of commander for the Education and Training Division and the Bureau of Drug and Criminal Enforcement. Major Franklin instituted and oversaw the very first Domestic Violence Investigative Units for the Maryland State Police. After 23 years of dedicated service to the Maryland State Police, he was recruited in 2000 by the Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department to reconstruct and command Baltimores Education and Training Section. While serving as a Narcotics Agent with the Maryland State Police, Major Franklin was persuaded by then then-mayor of Baltimore, Kurt Schmoke, who declared that the War on Drugs was counterproductive and created excessive violence. This; followed by the tragic assassination of Major Franklin's close friend Corporal Ed Toatley while making a drug buy as an undercover agent, cemented his resolve to reform the policies referred to as the "War on Drugs". He would go on to join Law Enforcement Against Prohibition as it's Executive Director in 2010. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition evolved into the Law Enforcement Action Partnership in January 2017. When not working, Neill volunteers his time by serving on many boards of directors that include Children 1st, the Faith Based Community Council on Law Enforcement and Intelligence, the Place of Grace Church, Anne Arundel Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board, and board president for TurnAround, Inc. He is also very active in his church.Major Franklin is married and has one son.