Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Explorer Recruitment Open House

EXPLORER POST #1696 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF A LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPLORING PROGRAM 

LEARN ABOUT THE CHALLENGING FIELD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

    For young men and women ages 14-20 Law Enforcement Explorers Posts are an opportunity to learn about career opportunities in law enforcement.
Open House:
November 14, 2012 @ 6:00pm

5303 CHRYSLER WAY
UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20772
Contact: Sgt. Y. Hines (301) 780-8600

APPLY ONLINE: WWW.PGSO1696.WEEBLY.COM

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Three Deputy Sheriffs Graduate Training Academy


Upper Marlboro, MD…Three new Deputy Sheriffs – Deputy Dominick Chambers, Deputy Kevin Queen and Deputy Del-Mar Williams – graduated from Session 121 of the Prince George’s County Police Training Academy on October 23.  The ceremony, held at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro, marked the end of eight months of basic training.

“These Deputies step into an honorable 316 year tradition of law enforcement with the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Melvin C. High.  “They strengthen our agency as we continue our mission of serving the courts and the citizens and residents of the county.”

The class graduated a total of 45 recruits from the Office of the Sheriff, the Prince George’s County Police Department and the City of Bowie Police Department. 

Sheriff High joined Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety Barry L. Stanton, Prince George’s County Police Chief Mark A. Magaw, and Chief John K. Nesky of the City of Bowie Police Department in congratulating the graduates for their accomplishments and successful completion of the academy. 

Deputies Chambers, Queen and Williams will step into the “real world” of law enforcement with their Field Training Officers (FTO’s) in the Domestic Violence Intervention Division.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, Press Information Office at 301-780-2773. 
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Monday, October 22, 2012

Sheriff’s Office Joins National Family Violence Warrant Initiative, Makes 67 Arrests

Upper Marlboro, MD…  The Sheriff’s Warrant/Fugitive Division participated, for the 10th consecutive year, in the National Family Violence Apprehension Detail started by the Clackamas County, Oregon, Sheriff’s Office. The initiative focuses on raising awareness for family and domestic vio­lence, and sending a clear message to offenders that they will be held accountable for their violence.

With the assistance of the United States Marshal Service, Maryland State Police and Prince George’s Department of Corrections, deputies attempted to serve warrants at 244 locations throughout Prince George’s County - apprehending 67 suspects and closing 68 warrants. During the investigation of warrants, 13 additional suspects were found to be incarcerated in various detention centers within the State of Maryland, and detainers have been filed in those cases.

Among the suspects arrested, 2 were for sex offenses, 36 for assault, and 12 warrants were served for violating exparte orders (protection orders), violating peace orders, harassment charges, child support orders, and stalking.

Colonel Darrin C. Palmer, Chief Assistant Sheriff, said, “Each year with this National Initiative, our community and communities nationwide send the message to domestic violence offenders that this terrible crime against families will not be tolerated. The Clackamas County sweep is always a success, and a great reminder that comminutes thrive when we protect women, children and families.”

The National Family Violence Apprehension Detail has been a nationally recognized warrant reduction project for 10 years, and includes law enforcement agencies from 22 states.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.



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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Warrant Division Arrests First Degree Burglary Suspect


Upper Marlboro, MD… The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest yesterday of Marcus Hardy on an arrest warrant for First Degree Burglary, obtained by the County Police District V detectives on September 27, 2012.
 
According to the warrant, on July 6, 2012 Hardy sold stolen property, valued at $600.00, to a local pawn shop. The warrant further states the property was stolen during a residential burglary in the 1000 block of Phillips Drive in Upper Marlboro, MD in June 2012.

Deputies investigating Hardy’s whereabouts were led to the 10,000 block of Elizabeth Parnum Place, Upper Marlboro, MD, where Hardy was arrested.  Hardy was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections where he is being held on a $25,000.00 bond. 

District V detectives were notified of the arrest, and Hardy is charged with Theft: Less than $1000.00.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.
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Friday, October 12, 2012

Sheriff’s Office joins Prince George’s Community College’s National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration




Corporal Yadira Rodriguez- Washington and Carolina Stallings of the Community Partnership Section represented the Office of the Sheriff at the Prince George’s Community College’s National Hispanic Heritage Month Closing Ceremony & Latin Lunch earlier this week. The annual festival celebrates the cultural traditions of the Hispanic community during the national observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15- October 15th

Warrant Division Arrests First Degree Assault Suspect


Upper Marlboro, MD…The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest yesterday of Ronald Bell on an arrest warrant for First Degree Assault obtained by the County Police, District IV detectives on October 9, 2012.

According to the warrant, on September 25, 2012, Bell allegedly struck two victims several times with a baseball bat following a verbal dispute in the 6200 block of Maxwell Drive in Suitland, MD. 

Deputies investigating Bell’s whereabouts were led to the 5400 block of Morris Ave, Suitland, Maryland where he was located and taken into custody.  Bell was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections where he is being held on a $150,000.00 bond. District IV Detectives were notified of the arrest.

Bell is also charged with another count of first degree assault, and two counts of second degree assault.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.
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Friday, October 5, 2012

Warrant Division Arrests Attempted First Degree Murder Suspect


Upper Marlboro, MD…The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest yesterday of Jernard Cooke on an arrest warrant for Attempted First Degree Murder obtained by County Police District I detectives on September 20, 2012.

According to the warrant, on August 2, 2012, Cooke allegedly displayed a handgun and fired several shots at another male in the 2500 block of Arundel Road in Mount Rainer after a verbal dispute regarding a stolen cellular phone.

Sheriff’s Deputies serving with the U.S. Marshal’s Regional Warrant Task Force located Cooke in the 1200 block of Chillum Manor Drive in Hyattsville where Cooke was taken into custody and transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections. District I detectives were notified of the arrest.

Cooke is also charged with use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, second degree assault, and handgun on person.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.
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Thursday, October 4, 2012

PGSO/ Calvert County Sheriff Close Twenty-eight Child Support Warrants in Joint Operation


Upper Marlboro, MD…The Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) reported 21 arrests yesterday that closed 28 warrants in an annual joint warrant sweep with  the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) .

Fourteen (14) sheriff’s deputies, including five from Calvert County, and two Calvert County detention center officers worked to locate individuals, thought to be living in Prince George’s County, for whom there were outstanding child support warrants.

As a result of the operation 15 Prince George’s County and 13 Calvert County warrants were closed.
Lieutenant Joyce Bowers, Commander of CSED said “This is the 10th year we’ve partnered with Calvert County and it continues to be successful for both agencies. We’ve closed a lot of warrants that will result in a lot of money going to support children.”   

The total amount of arrears associated with the arrests was $30,134.73.
  
For more information contact the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Sheriff calls Domestic Violence Awareness Month Time to Celebrate and Fortify


Upper Marlboro, MD…Prince George’s County Sheriff Melvin C. High said that the Office of the Sheriff will mark the month of October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month – by focusing on a variety of things that have illuminated the scourge of domestic violence.  High said because of a number of important changes to the way we respond to domestic violence crimes, to offenders and to victims of these crimes, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is the perfect time to remind individuals, families and organizations that each of us can be a force for ending domestic violence.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Sheriff High says is a prime example of legislative leadership that has been a game-changing resource for many communities in the way they respond to domestic violence. Just the other day, High said, the Governor’s Office on Crime Control Prevention sent out a summary of the Domestically Related Crimes Law – HB1146/SB647 that notes on an offender’s record whether a crime was domestic violence related. It’s a change the Sheriff says that will help identify such offenders, potentially increasing deputy and victim safety.   

Sheriff High said the Sheriff’s Office responsibilities in support of individuals and families, “…whether in our Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) or in our Child Support Enforcement Unit, are a constant reminder that the future of any community depends on strong families.”

As an agency with significant domestic violence related responsibility, from serving protective orders countywide, to responding to emergency 9-1-1 domestic violence calls in Police District III and with the DVID Special Victims Assistants directing victims to the resources they need, High says DVID is keenly focused on the quality of its response to calls for service but also its ability to impact victim outcomes with a high quality response to victims in the aftermath of violence.

“A significant challenge is that domestic violence so often occurs within families. I have no doubt that nearly every individual family knows someone who was or is a victim of domestic violence.” 
 “We never lose sight of the fact that future generations grow strong, healthy and successful in a good and safe environment and that our county’s future depends on their success, “said High. “Among the partners in law enforcement and professionals serving victims, we have outstanding resources at work to stop domestic violence crime and to end victimization.”
In May of 2012, the work of the Office of the Sheriff DVID was cited in the first Prince George’s County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team 2012 Report and Recommendations. In particular, the Report’s top recommendation for law enforcement was that all county agencies adopt and utilize its Domestic Intervention –Supplemental Report, - a detailed report pioneered by the Office of the Sheriff for use when responding to domestic violence calls for service.

After that Report, High sought even further evaluation of the DVID process by commissioning an independent assessment. The additional evaluation was conducted by Dr. Tricia Bent-Goodley, a recognized expert in the area of domestic violence and a professor of Social Work at Howard University. Dr. Bent-Goodley’s report, evaluated the policies and procedures of the DVID, specifically and in comparison to other law enforcement agencies and industry best-practices, while the County Fatality Review Team assessed the county’s domestic violence response in the aggregate.

Dr. Bent-Goodley cited DVID’s collaboration across disciplines to meet the needs of victims and the importance of response and service access for victims countywide – referring to the Division’s Special Victim Assistants.  Bent-Goodley called DVID, “…a critical force to responding to domestic violence within Prince George’s County.”

Sheriff High said his agency was pleased to have the benefit of an independent assessment from an expert and the recognition that it was meeting and building on a best-practices standard in responding to the needs of domestic violence victims.

“We value greatly the partnerships that we are continuing to build to combat domestic violence crimes and to help victims become survivors,” said High. ”That is what it will take to be successful and to have a long-term impact.”

Urging every citizen to take action, Sheriff High said, “President Obama’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation included a very easy prescription that each of us can follow.  It urges us to ‘…promote healthy relationships, speak out when we see injustice in our communities, stand with survivors we know and change attitudes that perpetuate the cycle of abuse.’ I think that’s exactly right and if each of us commits to doing just those things we’ll end domestic violence.”

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.
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Arrest of Theft Suspect Closes 17 Warrants


Upper Marlboro, MD… The Warrant/Fugitive Division has reported the arrest yesterday of Patricia Hess on an arrest warrant for Theft: $1,000.00 to under $10,000.00 obtained by the County Police Special Enforcement Division (SED) on September 18, 2012.

According to the warrant, on August 24, 2012, Hess allegedly sold stolen property valued at $1,045.00 to a local pawn shop and that the property was stolen by an acquaintance of Hess’ in Anne Arundel County, Maryland –where Hess resides.

Deputies investigating Hess’ whereabouts were led to the 1000 block of Maiden Choice Lane Baltimore, Maryland where she was located and taken into custody without incident. Hess was transported to the Prince George’s County Detention Center where she is being held on an $85,000.00 bond. SED was notified of the arrest.

Hess’ arrest closes 16 additional warrants; seven warrants for Failure to Appear- Theft Less than $100.00 and nine warrants for Failure to Appear – Theft less than $1000.00. Hess is also wanted in Anne Arundel County on Theft charges.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.
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“Shelter in Place” – Courthouse Emergency Preparedness Training Drill

Upper Marlboro, MD…  The Sheriff’s Bureau of Court Services, in cooperation with the Prince George’s County, Upper Marlboro Courthouse, will conduct a “Shelter in Place” – Emergency Preparedness Training Drill today, in the Bourne Wing of the Courthouse. The drill will close the Bourne Wing (including the Commissioners Entrance) from 1p.m. to 3p.m., but will not affect the building’s Marbury or Duvall Wing public access points.

Chief Assistant Sheriff Darrin C. Palmer said, “Courthouse security is a critical undertaking every day, for the safety and wellbeing of those who pass through its doors. Emergency preparedness training drills allow us to test ourselves against our own emergency plans, so that we can review and revise as needed.”

The drill will only affect courthouse employees, and will be announced several times over the building public address system prior to commencing.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

  
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Deputies Arrest “Sheriff’s Most Wanted” Armed Robbery Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Sheriff’s Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest Monday of Terrance Stevenson, on an arrest warrant for Armed Robbery obtained by the County Police on August 20, 2012. Stevenson was also on the “Sheriff’s Most Wanted” list.

According to the warrant, on July 10, 2012, Stevenson robbed a male victim at gunpoint in the 8600 block of Leslie Ave, Glenarden MD. The warrant further states that Stevenson stuck the victim in the face with the gun, forcing him to fall to the ground, where two other male suspects stole property from him.

Deputies investigating Stevenson’s whereabouts were led to the 6300 block of Hilmar Dr, District Heights, MD, where they conducted surveillance on a vehicle they believed to be his. Deputies observed Stevenson exit a residence and enter the vehicle, at which point, they apprehended him without incident.

District III detectives were notified of the arrest and Stevenson was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections – charged with Armed Robbery, Robbery, First and Second Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Theft Under $1,000, Illegal Possession of a Handgun, and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony.

For additional information of the “Sheriff’s Most Wanted,” visit: www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/JudicialBranch/Sheriff/mw_criminals.asp?nivel=foldmenu(6)

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.


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