Chief Magaw Announces Suspensions of Two Officers After Indictments

Two Prince George’s County Police officers remain on suspension after being indicted in separate cases by a grand jury on Thursday.  

Police Officer First Class Charles Pickard faces charges of assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. The allegations involve conduct which occurred while Officer Pickard was on duty on November 12, 2013.

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division launched an administrative and criminal investigation after learning of the incident through a routine, internal use of force review. Officer Pickard’s police powers were suspended on November 14, 2013. He remains suspended with pay pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

Pickard has been employed by the PGPD for six years and was assigned to the Bureau of Patrol. 

  

Police Officer First Class Jerry Thomas faces charges of misconduct in office. The allegations involve conduct which occurred while Officer Thomas was on duty in late 2012.

The Internal Affairs Division launched an administrative investigation in early 2013, following a routine, internal use of force review. When the administrative investigation was complete, the investigation was forwarded to the State’s Attorney’s Office. Officer Thomas’s police powers were suspended in November of 2013.  He remains suspended with pay pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

Thomas has been employed by the PGPD for five years and was assigned to the Bureau of Patrol.

 “I want to make it clear to our community, that these cases were not brought about as a result of citizen complaints. Through our Internal Review Process, the Police Department identified conduct that was presented to the grand jury which has led to the indictments today of two of our officers. I respect the grand jury's decision and now the judicial process will decide the facts of these matters. I want to assure the residents of our county that we are dedicated to transparent and ethical policing. Our community has my word that this, and their safety, are my overriding goals,” said Chief Mark Magaw.

Chief Magaw along with Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks will address these indictments today outside of the Prince George’s County Courthouse in Upper Marlboro. The news conference is set for 2:00 pm.

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office at 301-952-2848.