Jimmy McNulty faked the serial killer primarily to secure much-needed funding and resources for the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide unit and, specifically, for the investigation into Marlo Stanfield's criminal organization.
The Driving Force: Securing Resources
Facing severe resource limitations and a perceived lack of urgency from departmental brass regarding the complex Stanfield case, McNulty devised a desperate plan. His core motivation was the belief that only a high-profile, seemingly escalating crisis—like a serial killer preying on the city's vulnerable—would compel the police department and city hall to allocate the significant funds and personnel he felt were necessary.
His objectives included:
- Increased Funding for Homicide: The Homicide unit was often understaffed and lacked the technological and human resources required for thorough investigations. McNulty aimed to force an injection of funds.
- Support for the Stanfield Investigation: This was a critical, long-term goal. He hoped the creation of an urgent "serial killer" case would divert resources, attention, and ultimately money towards solving what would appear to be the city's most pressing crime problem, thereby indirectly benefiting the Stanfield investigation.
The Deception: How It Was Executed
To create the illusion of a serial killer, McNulty undertook a calculated series of deceptive actions, fabricating a pattern where none existed:
- Doctoring Case Files: He manipulated existing death investigation reports, particularly those involving homeless individuals whose deaths were typically ruled accidental or from natural causes, to suggest a common method or signature.
- Planting Evidence: McNulty strategically placed physical evidence, such as specific dental impressions, at various crime scenes. This was done to create a false trail that would link unrelated cases together and point towards a single perpetrator.
These actions were meticulously carried out to create the distinct impression of a serial killer specifically targeting homeless men. This particular demographic was chosen likely because their disappearances or deaths might often go unscrutinized, making it easier to fabricate a pattern without immediate suspicion from the public or the department. By creating this false crisis, McNulty intended to force the allocation of significant resources towards a fictional threat, with the ultimate goal of indirectly benefiting the real, underfunded investigations he deemed crucial.
