PGPD Chief Stawinski Suspends Three Officers; Internal Affairs Investigation Launched Over Use of Force

[newsBot]

Today at noon, Chief Stawinski and the Department’s Executive Command Staff became aware of a cell phone recording of two officers detaining a suspect at a Langley Park gas station. While attempting to handcuff the suspect, one of the officers kicked him twice. Upon reviewing the video, the two involved officers and their immediate supervisor were suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

“I am sorry and I am angry. I am sharing the video in the interest of transparency. During my tenure as Chief of Police, four officers have been criminally prosecuted for assault. This will be thoroughly investigated and in keeping with past practice, the findings will be referred to the Office of the State’s Attorney,” said Chief Hank Stawinski.

The preliminary investigation revealed the officer who used force observed an assault and attempted to detain the involved suspects. After a foot chase that ended at the gas station, he was able to handcuff one suspect. He is then seen on the video taking the second suspect to the ground. When a backup officer arrived, that second officer assisted the first officer in the apprehension. During that attempt to handcuff the suspect, the first officer kicked the suspect. The two suspects were ultimately released when the assault victim could not be located.

The video can be viewed at this link: https://youtu.be/tvUI6D-LWcE

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: https://so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at https://so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at https://so.md/expungeme.

 

[Louise]

What a crock. Chief Stawinski should be thoroughly investigated. The thin blue line has gotten thinner.

 

[GregV814]

He knows his career is at an end, he’s just treading water.
Name any other department head in that county that is not a minority, a puppet or _ full in the blank.