Monday, August 20, 2018

Police Academy Session 136 Graduates Five New Deputy Sheriffs #PGSO

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff welcomes five new Deputies to our ranks who graduated from the Prince George’s County Police Academy on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. Deputy Sheriffs Jalaeme Gomez, Ryan Harris, Leonardo Johnson Jr., Saheed A. Lawal and Alejandra Medrano-Munoz all successfully completed eight rigorous months of police Academy basic training as members of Session 136.

Deputy Ryan Harris received three awards: the Marksmanship Award presented by Mr. James Baden III; the Sergeant Steven F. Gaughan Memorial Award for Achievement in Criminal Law; and, the Sergeant Joseph K. Brown Memorial Award for Academic Achievement. Friends of the Deputies gathered at Riverdale Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, MD to see their loved ones sworn in and to witness their commitment to protect and serve the citizens of Prince George’s County.

“It is an exciting time for the agency to be able to bring on these new Deputies. Their perspective, energy, and ideas make us better as we prepare them for their next training phase,” said Sheriff High. “We are proud of all of their accomplishments. Academy training is a rigorous environment. Their dedication to serve the community is evident by their completion of this element of learning and preparing. We know that as they excelled in the Academy, they will continue to deliver top notch service to the citizens of the County.”

Sheriff High joined County Executive Rushern L. Baker and other public safety agency heads in congratulating the graduates for their accomplishments and successful completion of the academy. The remaining graduates in Session #136 will joining  the Prince George’s County Police Department, City of Bowie Police Department, and the Maryland National Capital Park Police – Prince George’s County Division.


For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Media Advisory Alert: Beware Scam Callers Impersonating Sheriff #PGSO

Bad News: Phone Scammers at it Again, Good News: Citizens Alert Sheriff’s Office


Upper Marlboro, MD…The Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff is, once again, advising county residents to beware of scam callers asking for money to close open warrants or resolve other court-related actions. Chief Assistant Sheriff Darrin Palmer said, “Over the last couple of days we’ve gotten over 20 phone calls from county residents reporting scam callers who’ve asked them for payment to close warrants or some other court action.”

“We’re not at all happy that scam callers are trying again in Prince George’s County, but we are very happy that citizens reported those calls to us and none of them had paid money to the scammers,” said Palmer.

Over the last 3-4 years, the Office of the Sheriff has issued several messages to the public through the media, at community meetings, and through its in-house communications vehicles to let citizens know that there are no circumstances under which the Office of the Sheriff requests money from citizens to resolve open court matters. Col. Palmer said the Office of the Sheriff will continue to notify citizens as many times as necessary. Explaining that scammers use the law enforcement angle to scare victims into giving them money. Often, their message is to ask for a transfer of funds via gift cards or wire transactions, Palmer said.


“We advise citizens not to engage with scammers on the phone and under no circumstances should they make any payment to them or give out personal information. The good news here is that informed citizens knew about these calls and the scammers were unsuccessful.”


The Office of the Sheriff is asking the media to advise citizens of these scams. If anyone receives a call to contact the Prince Georges County Police at 301-772-4420 to file an incident report.


For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

PGCPS offering free immunizations for students at Hyattsville clinic this week #PGSO

by Cheryl Conner/ABC7


HYATTSVILLE, Md. (ABC7) — Emmanuel Imo is heading into seventh grade, but his first test is at an immunization clinic in Hyattsville.


“I’m not ready to get two shots on my right arm," said Imo.


Seventh graders need immunization updates — both Tdap and Meningitis vaccines. Kindergarten students will need two doses of the Chicken Pox vaccine.


Free is hopefully simple for parents taking their kids to Kaiser Permanente at the Prince George’s Medical Center building.


Doctor Rennie Thomas says there could be a big turnout throughout the week as more than 6,000 seventh graders need the shots.


“As a pediatrician, I think immunizations are one of the most important things a parent can do to help prevent serious childhood disease, so I absolutely think immunizations are vital, said


Prince George’s County Public Schools says a child must have at least one of every type of immunization to start the school year as well as a note showing an appointment that will happen no later than 20 days after the start of the school year on September 4.


The free clinic is happening through the end of the week.