Mere hours after taking over as Prince George’s County executive yesterday, Rushern Baker III (D) removed Roberto Hylton from his position as chief of Prince George’s County Police, a department addled by two ongoing federal investigations that allege corruption and misconduct.
Deputy Chief Mark Magaw, a former narcotics commander who has been with the department for 27 years, will take over immediately as interim chief of police.
This appointment was just one of several that Baker made among the county’s top leadership positions yesterday. Although Although this decision comes at a time when the department and the county at large have made headlines for scandal and corruption, police officials said the decision is routine.
“Every county executive that gets in here generally brings in a new chief,” District 1 Commander Robert Liberati said. “Ever since I’ve been with the department that’s the way it’s been.”
Police spokesman Maj. Andy Ellis said he couldn’t speak to Baker’s intentions, but noted the past three county executives have elected to bring in a new chief.
Liberati said issues affecting students at this university, such as police and student relations, have been addressed in the form of changes in training and policies, and are not closely tied to changes in administration.
He said Magaw, a former District 1 Commander himself, is well aware of the issues facing College Park.
Hylton, who was promoted to chief from the position of deputy chief of bureau patrol in September 2008, held the position for just more than two years. Under Hylton, crime in the county steadily dropped. But still, ethical questions and charges of conspiracy and brutality persisted.
Consequently, Magaw will inherit a department that has come under federal investigation more than once — late last week, the FBI assumed control of an investigation of county police for their conduct in the post-Duke victory riot in March, interviewing about 40 officers at their homes. Last month, three officers were indicted for their alleged involvement in the distribution of untaxed cigarettes and alcohol. The indictments, unsealed Nov. 15, also alleged officers conspired to sell cocaine.
Still, officials maintained the move was nothing more than a standard shift in power.
“I think, had all this corruption stuff not come out, I think he still would have chosen his own [chief],” Liberati said.
Magaw most recently served as deputy chief of strategic management and recently headed the narcotics division for county police.
“I am honored and humbled to be appointed interim chief of the Prince George’s County Police Department by County Executive Baker,” Magaw said in a statement released yesterday. “This is an outstanding police department with dedicated employees who serve our residents every day. I will do everything I can to continue to move our agency forward.”
Baker also appointed Mark Bashoor as interim fire chief, Betty Hager Francis as interim director of housing and community development and Gail Francis as interim director of finance.
He found permanent replacements for his chief of staff — Gwen McCall — and director of human resources management — Stephanye Redd Maxwell. Baker appointed interim officials in four other positions, as well.
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