Prince George’s County Must Reorganize Police Promotion Process

Federal Judge Orders Restructure Due To Discrimination Within County Policing

As the nation eyes police reform, Prince George’s County will likely be making changes as well.

A federal judge found the Prince George’s County Police Department promotion process discriminates against officers of color April 22. Federal Judge Theodore Chuang said the county has acted in “deliberate indifference to the possible discrimination,” in his 61-page decision.

Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks

The ruling is part of an ongoing discrimination lawsuit filed against the department by African-American and Latinx officers.

Prior to the ruling, County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks had begun addressing issues of reform within the police department.

In February, the Alsobrooks Administration announced approving 35 of the Police Reform Work Group's recommendations as written, would implement 11 more amended recommendations, and would omit four.

The recommendations included overhaul the County's Crisis Response System, expansion of community-oriented policing services, civilian Community Services Director to oversee the department’s community engagement, recruitment of qualified and diverse individuals, establish recruitment incentives for county residency of officers, and to provide free continuing education tuition for those who reside in the county. See the full list of recommendations here.

However, recommendations in the report do not specifically address concerns regarding diversity and equity in advancement within the police department. It is an issue that some county law enforcement professionals have charged for several years.