DOJ
investigating claims of discrimination within Prince George's Police Department
To the Community of Prince George's County,
Since the beginning of my tenure as Chief of Police I have provided
specific facts regarding matters that impact you as soon as I have them. I am
writing today to inform you that the United States Department of Justice Civil
Rights Division has chosen to initiate a pattern and practice investigation
into allegations of discrimination against Hispanics and African Americans in
violation of Title VII with respect to their employment in sworn positions on
our police department. I was notified of this on Saturday, September 30,
2017.
Upon my appointment as Chief of Police in January of 2016, I accepted
the greatest amount of responsibility for this institution, and the men and
women who serve, that any individual can hold. I and the Department will
cooperate fully and completely with this investigation and will provide any and
all requested information to the Civil Rights Division without reservation.
I was informed on October 24, 2016 that a complaint had been filed
with the Department of Justice in March of 2016. On October 25, 2016 a letter
requesting information and offering cooperation was written to the Department
of Justice at my direction and hand carried to the Civil Rights Division. In
the months that followed, questions about this complaint were repeatedly
directed to me. To demonstrate our good faith efforts to the community and in
keeping with my commitment to transparency, on February 9, 2017 I directed the
Department’s media relations director to release to the public the first letter
to the Department of Justice dated October 25, 2016. A second letter was sent
to the Department of Justice on May 18, 2017. As of today’s date, neither I nor
the Department has ever been provided with the complaint. I do not fault the
Department of Justice for this. I took this matter very seriously and I sought
to take action on your behalf independent of the complaint. In order to gather
facts and understand perceptions that would inform my decision making, I
immediately had personal conversations and held meetings with many of you who
are reading this. I then approached the Fraternal Order of Police and together
we did two specific things.
First, on April 7, 2017 we jointly convened the Panel for Promotions,
Discipline, & Practices. As of today it has met 8 times. It was
deliberately composed of sworn and retired members of the Department as well as
academics, county officials, and community members from outside the Department
representing all points of view. The goal of the Panel is to obtain facts and
gain insights into perceptions about the Department and then provide specific
guidance to me to correct issues identified during the process. Second, on June
1, 2017 we began publishing the outcomes of internal disciplinary cases
quarterly so that all members of the Department would know the results and to
dispel perceptions that “nothing was done.” Both initiatives will continue.
I have the highest expectations of this institution and of all who
serve it. I know very well the toll that this profession takes on you who
serve. I have acted only to build trust in the Prince George’s County Police
Department. If it is demonstrated that structures or practices of this
institution negatively impact any of you without cause, I will end them. I
welcome this new opportunity to further advance this work.
Yours Very Respectfully,
Hank Stawinski, Chief of Police
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