The department has not disclosed what the allegations involve or identified the person who made them. Nadeau’s police powers have been suspended while the investigation continues, according to the department.
Nadeau oversees Internal Affairs and officer discipline, making the suspension particularly notable because his responsibilities include handling investigations involving alleged police misconduct and disciplinary matters.
The department said the suspension follows its standard protocol when an investigation involves a member of its command staff. No timeline for the investigation or additional details about the allegations have been made public.
Nadeau’s Role With Baltimore Police
Nadeau joined the Baltimore Police Department in 2019 after spending more than two decades with the FBI. He initially took charge of the department’s Public Integrity Bureau, which investigates allegations of misconduct involving police officers.
His career with the FBI included leadership of its Public Corruption Unit in Baltimore. He later became an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office before moving to the city police department.
In his current role, Nadeau has been closely involved in Internal Affairs and the disciplinary process for officers. He has also regularly appeared alongside Police Commissioner Richard Worley during police briefings and news conferences.
As recently as September 14, Nadeau appeared virtually with Worley during a monthly meeting of Baltimore’s Police Accountability Board. During that meeting, he addressed questions concerning a backlog of officer misconduct trial boards. The appearance came just one day before the department confirmed his suspension.
The department’s weekly commanders’ meeting, known as Comstat, was also canceled around the time Nadeau was suspended, according to recent reporting.
Federal Lawsuit Adds Context
The suspension comes shortly after a federal lawsuit was filed by former Baltimore police detective David Johnson.
Court records show Johnson filed a civil rights lawsuit on Aug. 21, 2026, naming the Baltimore Police Department and Nadeau as defendants. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
The lawsuit alleges that Nadeau improperly became involved in certain Internal Affairs investigations and influenced how investigators handled disciplinary matters. Johnson, who spent 15 years with the department, claims he was fired in 2023 over a timekeeping violation.
According to the allegations described in the lawsuit, investigators initially recommended a one-day suspension for Johnson, but the disciplinary process ultimately resulted in his termination.
Those claims have not been established as facts by a court, and the filing represents allegations made by the plaintiff.
The Baltimore Police Department has not said whether the lawsuit or its allegations are connected to the investigation that resulted in Nadeau’s current suspension.
Investigation Remains Open
For now, the department has provided few details about what prompted the investigation. Officials have confirmed only that allegations involving a member of the command staff led to the suspension of Nadeau’s police powers.
The lack of publicly released information means it remains unclear whether the investigation concerns Nadeau’s handling of Internal Affairs cases, disciplinary decisions, or another matter.
Nadeau’s suspension will remain in effect while the investigation is pending. Any further information from the department could clarify the allegations and whether they are connected to the separate federal lawsuit.
The federal case filed by Johnson also remains pending. A court docket does not establish that the allegations in a complaint are true; those claims would have to be resolved through the legal process.
As of the latest public statements, Baltimore police have not announced the outcome of the investigation or indicated when additional details may be released.
