PGPD Arrests & Suspends Officer for Driving Under the Influence

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested and suspended an officer earlier today after the officer was involved in a crash in his cruiser. It was suspected the off-duty officer was driving under the influence of alcohol prior to the crash. Police Officer First Class Christopher Brown is charged with multiple counts of driving under the influence and speeding.

The crash took place around 2:30 am near Pennsylvania Avenue and I-495. It was determined Brown clipped the back of a tractor trailer, lost control of his cruiser and hit a guardrail. The tractor trailer driver was not hurt. The preliminary investigation reveals, Brown left the scene following the crash but returned a short time later. Responding officers suspected PFC Brown was under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested. He was not hurt in the crash. He was driving a marked cruiser.

In 2012, the same officer was involved in another crash in his cruiser while under the influence in Oxon Hill. Prince George’s County Police arrested the officer following that crash. He pleaded guilty to those charges. He was also disciplined administratively.  

“I find the circumstances surrounding this incident gravely troubling and I apologize to the community for the appearance of impropriety.  Know that, as always, when I have the facts I will take appropriate action to remedy this and I will make the facts known to the public,” said Chief Hank Stawinski.

Brown joined the department in 2009 and is assigned to the Bureau of Patrol.