Office of the Sheriff, Prince George's County Prince George's County Sheriff's Office | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | PGSO |
Agency overview | |
Formed | 1696 |
Annual budget | $19,429,000[1] |
Jurisdictional structure | |
Operations jurisdiction | Prince George's, Maryland, USA |
Map of Office of the Sheriff, Prince George's County's jurisdiction | |
Size | 498 square miles |
Population | 801,515 |
General nature | |
Operational structure | |
Headquarters | Upper Marlboro, Maryland |
Agency executive | |
Website | |
Official Website |
The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office (PGSO) provides law enforcement services in Prince George's County, Maryland in the United States. Its headquarters is located in Upper Marlboro. The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of Prince George's County and is elected by the citizens every four years. [2]
Created in 1696, the traditional duties of the Sheriff are keeper of the public peace and the enforcement arm of the county court, analogous to the US Marshal Service. The PGSO has a relatively long history embedded within Maryland and the United States. The PGSO was involved with events that occurred during the burning of Washington and affected the writing of the United States National Anthem. Prior to 1931, the PGSO was the sole law enforcement organization within the county.
Today, general law enforcement of the county is provided by multiple agencies but mostly left to the separate Prince George's County Police Department, though some responsibilities are shared by both agencies. The PGSO, like most other county-level law enforcement agencies, is a progressive agency with an array of services from a Specialized Services Team dealing with high-risk warrants and barricade situations to Community Services aiding the county citizens in safety education.
Authority
The Sheriff of Prince George's County is the chief law enforcement official of Prince George's County per Maryland common law.[3] All deputy sheriffs are certified, sworn law enforcement officials with full power of arrest as granted by the Constitution of Maryland, the MPCTC, and the Sheriff of Prince George's County.[4]
History
The Sheriff's Office for Prince George's County was founded April 22, 1696. The governor of Maryland, Sir Francis Nicholson appointed Thomas Greenfield as the first Sheriff. The St. Paul's Church in Charlestown held the headquarters for the Sheriff's Office until the 1720s when it was relocated to the town of Upper Marlboro. At the time, there was no set salary for the sheriff. Instead, he was paid in hog's head of tobacco. The headquarters for the sheriff's office was held in Upper Marlboro until 2000, when the sitting Sheriff, Al Black, moved it to Largo where it resided until August 2008 when the current sheriff returned the office headquarters to Upper Marlboro where it is currently located.[5]
Line of duty deaths
To date, there have been two deputy sheriffs killed in the line of duty.
Officer | End of Watch | Details |
---|---|---|
Deputy First Class Elizabeth Magruder | Gunfire | |
Sergeant James V. Arnaud | Gunfire |
War of 1812
During the War of 1812, at the time of the Burning of Washington, the Sheriff's Office became involved in an occurrence that ultimately led to the writing of the United States national anthem. As the British army marched from Washington they passed through Prince George's County. Because the residents had cooperated with the British, the commander ensured that minimal damage was inflicted upon the local residents and their property. After the Battle of Bladensburg, the British army returned to the area of Upper Marlboro. However, this time some of the British soldiers looted local farms. A Sheriff's Posse subsequently arrested the offending soldiers and placed them in the county jail. Upon learning about the arrest of his soldiers, the British commander ordered the arrest of the Sheriff and the posse in turn. One of the posse members was Dr. William Beam. Beam was ultimately arrested and held for ranson on a British warship. Beam's brother-in-law, Francis Scott Key went to Baltimore Harbor in search of him. He witnessed the British fleet under attack which was the inspiration of the Star Spangled Banner.[6]
2002: Deputies killed in the line of duty
On August 29, 2002, Sgt. James Arnaud and Deputy First Class Elizabeth Magruder were killed in the line of duty while trying to serve an Emergency Petition Service (EPS, a court-ordered psychological evaluation) to James R. Logan.[7] At around 9:30 pm, Cpl. Arnaud and Deputy Magruder were at the residence of James Logan in Adelphi, MD. While attempting to serve a petition for a psychiatric evaluation, Logan suddenly fled to a back bedroom. When Arnaud and Magruder chased after him, Logan fired at the deputies. Arnaud was shot in the neck and Magruder was shot in the back of the head. Logan fled the scene and was apprehended two days later by undercover officers. Logan was initially tried and convicted in 2003. Two years later in 2005, the decision was overturned on appeal and Logan attended a second trial. Logan was subsequently convicted again and sentenced to 30 years. Arnaud was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. Magruder was posthumously promoted to Deputy First Class.[8][9]
2008: Deputy wounded in Laurel
On February 16, 2008 at approximately 3:30 am, a PGSO SWAT member was shot and critically wounded while serving a warrant as part of a task force with the US Marshals. The suspect, Aaron M. Lowry, was wanted for the shooting of a Washington, DC Police Officer from the day prior. The injured deputy was flown to Baltimore Shock Trauma Center where he had surgery and was upgraded to serious but stable condition.[10]
2008: SWAT raid of Berwyn Heights Mayor
On July 29, 2008, a SWAT Team from the Sheriff's Office, executing a search warrant and assisting the separate County Police, conducted a raid on the home of Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo. The raid was initiated after the Mayor brought a package into his home delivered by the SWAT team. A drug-sniffing dog had determined that the package—addressed to the Mayor's wife—contained 32 pounds of marijuana. While taking control of the residence, Sheriff's deputies shot Calvo's two pet Labrador retrievers, including one who was alleged by Calvo to be running away from officers.[11] Calvo and his mother-in-law were handcuffed and questioned for several hours, with Calvo wearing just underwear.[12]
Police Chief High stated his department did not know the home was owned by the mayor and his wife.[13] During the interrogation, Calvo repeatedly requested to see the search warrant, but his lawyer stated no copy was provided until three days later. Calvo stated that officers did not believe he was the Mayor and for a time refused his request that they contact the Berwyn Heights Police Department (which was unaware of the raid) to confirm his identity.[14] A County Police spokesman initially stated that a no-knock warrant had been issued for Calvo's home. However, after Calvo's lawyer challenged that statement and media published copies of the warrant, the commander of the county's narcotics enforcement division stated that no-knock warrants do not exist in the county. Newspapers cited legal experts who stated that a 2005 Maryland law created no-knock warrants.[15] The incident received wide coverage in the United States[16][17] and abroad.[18][19]
Prince George's County Police later arrested two men in a drug trafficking plan involving the shipment of large parcels of marijuana to addresses of uninvolved residents. After each parcel was delivered outside the addressee's home, another individual would retrieve the drugs. Police seized six packages containing 417 pounds of marijuana.[20] The Sheriff's Office and County Police have stated that the Berwyn Heights raid was proper because of the large quantity of drugs involved.[21]
On August 7, 2008 Mayor Calvo called for a federal investigation of the incident by the United States Department of Justice.[20] On August 8th, Calvo and his wife were cleared by County Police of any wrongdoing.[13]. The local chapter of the NAACP also requested an investigation.[22] In early August, the Federal Bureau of Investigation began a civil rights investigation into the incident.[23]
Duties
As of 2008, the Sheriff's Office is headed by Sheriff Michael A. Jackson, presently working on his second term. The agency is also unique among Maryland counties that have both a sheriff's office and county police. Along with its traditional duties as the enforcement arm of the court, this Sheriff's Office responds to all 9-1-1 calls that are domestic-related in the County's District III, has all of its high schools with deputy sheriffs as the School Resource Officers, and is responsible for traffic enforcement in certain areas of the county.[24][25]
Organization
The Sheriff is elected by the citizens of Prince George's County. The rank structure of the remaining members of the Sheriff's Office is modeled after the U.S. military. The ranks of Student Deputy through Corporal are non-competitive. Sergeant through Captain are competitive. Lt. Colonel (Assistant Sheriff) and Colonel (Chief Assistant Sheriff) are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff.[25]
The PGSO is divided into three bureaus[26]
- The Bureau of Court Services: is based out of the Court Complex located within the municipality of Upper Marlboro and is responsible for the safety and security of the Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro, transportation of inmates, and to provide assistant security to the District Court in Upper Marlboro and Hyattsville as well as Domestic Violence liaison services.
- The Bureau of Field Operations: is based out of the Largo substation and is charged with the direction of the following: Civil/Landlord & Tenant, Domestic Violence Intervention Unit, Warrant/Fugitive Squad, and Child Support Enforcement.
- The Bureau of Administration: is based out of the main headquarters located in Upper Marlboro and contains the School Resource, Public Information Office (PIO), Recruiting, Training, and Internal Affairs.
Rank structure
Rank | Insignia | Description |
---|---|---|
Sheriff | The Sheriff is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Prince George's County, Maryland and is accountable to the citizens. The Sheriff's rank insignia is a single gold star. | |
Colonel | The Chief Assistant Sheriff of Prince George's County is the second in command and handles the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff's Office. The Chief Assistant Sheriff's rank is Colonel, and is symbolized by a silver eagle. | |
Lieutenant Colonel | The Assistant Sheriff (Bureau Chief) is the third in command and has the responsibility of his/her bureau's day-to-day operations. The Assistant Sheriff's rank is Lieutenant Colonel, symbolized by a silver oak leaf. | |
Major (defunct) | The Deputy Bureau Chief was fourth in command, designated as the Deputy Bureau Chief, and served under the Bureau Chief (Lieutenant Colonel). The rank insignia of a major was a gold oak leaf. | |
Captain | The Assistant Bureau Chief serves under the Bureau Chief (Lieutenant Colonel) and is in command of one or more Divisions. The rank insignia is symbolized by two connected gold bars. | |
Lieutenant | The Division Commander may serve as an acting Captain and is directed by the Assistant Bureau Chief. The rank insignia is symbolized by a single gold bar. | |
Sergeant | Squad Sergeant, may serve as Acting Lieutenant, is in charge of a squad of Deputy Sheriffs at the rank of Corporal and below. The sergeant's rank is symbolized by three gold chevrons on a black background. | |
Corporal | Supervisor, colloquially "9-car", may serve as Acting Sergeant and has a rank symbolized by to gold chevrons on a black background. | |
Deputy First Class | Time-in-rate promotion | |
Deputy Sheriff, Private | Recruits successfully completing the Police Academy are appointed as Deputy Sheriffs, Private. | |
Student Deputy | Title of trainees while attending the Police Academy |
Specialized units
- Specialized Services Team (SST)
- VIP/Witness Protection Team (VIPER)
- Civil Disturbance Unit (CDU)
- K-9
- Motorcycle Unit
- D.A.R.E.
- Hostage Negotiation
- Homeland Security and Intelligence
Fleet
The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office uses a fleet of Chevrolet Impalas (2003–present models), as well as some Chevrolet Luminas (1999–2001 model), and Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors. The transportation unit uses specialized Chevrolet or Dodge vans. The Motorcycle unit uses Police Edition Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The paint scheme of the PGSO marked cruisers are a white base paint with brown striping with the word "SHERIFF" emblazoned on the side. The light bars are the slim Whelen Generation II LEDs with Red and Blue colors. The Domestic Violence Intervention Unit has all marked vehicles with Panasonic Toughbook computers assigned to the cars.[29][28]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/AgencyIndex/OMB/Budget_2005/opr_bgt/Crim_Civil_Justice/pgs_178-186_Office-Sheriff.pdf
- ^ http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/JudicialBranch/Sheriff/
- ^ 2006–2007 Edition Maryland Criminal Laws & Motor Vehicle Handbook with Related Statutes including Legal Guidelines, (c) 2006 Gould Publications
- ^ Job posting
- ^ http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov//Government/JudicialBranch/Sheriff/index.asp?nivel=foldmenu(6)/
- ^ Lt. Lou Oertly. "The Fascinating History of the Office of the Sheriff, 1696–1996". Prince George's County Historical Society's. Retrieved 2007-12-08.
- ^ Ruben Castaneda (June 16, 2007). "Judge Declares Mistrial in 2002 Slaying of Two Deputies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ http://www.odmp.org/officer/16375-sergeant-james-victor-arnaud
- ^ http://www.odmp.org/officer/16376-private-first-class-elizabeth-licera-magruder
- ^ Josh Mitchell (February 16, 2007). "Sheriff's Deputy shot in Laurel while trying to serve warrant". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
- ^ Associated Press (2008-07-31). "SWAT team raids Md. mayor's home, kills 2 dogs". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ "Editorials: Shoot First, Ask Later; In Prince George's, a drug bust goes awry". The Washington Post. 2008-08-07. pp. page A20. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
{{cite news}}
:|pages=
has extra text (help) - ^ a b Davis, Aaron C. (2008-08-09). "Prince George's Police Clear Mayor, Family: Chief Offers No Apology for Drug Raid". The Washington Post. pp. page B01. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
{{cite news}}
:|pages=
has extra text (help) - ^ "Mayor describes raid". CNN. 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ Helderman, Rosalind S. (2008-08-07). "Pr. George's Police Arrest 2 In Marijuana-Shipping Plot: One Package Went to Mayor's Wife". The Washington Post. pp. page A01. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Zongker, Brett (2008-08-08). "Police clear name of Md. mayor after drug raid". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ Erickson, Amanda (2008-08-11). "Mayor asks for Justice in drug raid". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ "FBI investigates pet-killing police drug raid on mayor's home". The Australian. 2008-08-09. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ Nasaw, Daniel (2008-08-08). "Marijuana package leads US police to mistakenly raid mayor's home: During the ordeal, Mayor Cheye Calvo's two pet Labradors were killed by masked police officers". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ a b Donovan, Doug (2008-08-07). "Prince George's raid prompts call for probe: Berwyn Heights mayor denounces police tactics". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ Davis, Aaron C (2008-07-31). "Police Raid Berwyn Heights Mayor's Home, Kill His 2 Dogs". The Washington Post. pp. page B01. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
{{cite news}}
:|pages=
has extra text (help) - ^ Valentine, Daniel (2008-08-14). "NAACP: County losing trust in officials; Botched raid, inmate death cited". Maryland Gazette. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ Helderman, Rosalind S. (2008-08-08). "FBI to Review Raid That Killed Mayor's Dogs". The Washington Post. pp. page B01. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Prince George's County, Maryland : Home Page
- ^ a b http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/JudicialBranch/Sheriff/overview.asp?nivel=foldmenu(6)
- ^ Prince George's County, MD - Office of the Sheriff : Overview
- ^ http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Parliament/8131/sheriffsitemap.htm
- ^ a b http://www.co.pg.md.us/Government/JudicialBranch/Sheriff/Recruit%20Inside.jpg
- ^ http://www.co.pg.md.us/Government/AgencyIndex/CentralServices/fleet.asp