No confidence in Prince George’s County

Consider this piece to be my no confidence vote in Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson (D). OK, to be fair, I never had confidence in Johnson in the six years he has been county executive. Thankfully for the first two years of his era, I lived on the Anne Arundel side of Laurel.

First let me discuss the main reasons that he was elected. In 2002, he was elected on his campaign to root out police corruption, in addition to being in a very crowded field to succeed Wayne Curry (D). Candidates that year included council member Jim Estepp, former delegate the Rev. C. Anthony Muse and then-delegate Rushern Baker III. Two years ago, Johnson won by running (literally) from Baker.

Let’s not forget the circumstances in 2006 where News Channel 8 cameras were rolling. Johnson called a press conference at the Boulevard at Capital Centre to announce that the Rev. Jesse Jackson was endorsing his campaign for re-election while Baker was holding a conference in Upper Marlboro. At some point in the Largo press conference, Baker shows up and Johnson runs away. He apparently found sanctuary in the Gladys Knight and Ron Winans Chicken and Waffle Restaurant.

Currently, Prince George’s County has made national news in the recent prison death of 19year-old Ronnie White of Laurel, Howard County. His death was ruled a homicide. The FBI is once again investigating something in the county involving law enforcement. For much of the 1990s, federal watch and Prince George’s County has been one in the same when it comes to the police department. It has only been in recent memory that the force was no longer under scrutiny (by recent I mean a good 5 to 10 years and that is a big ball park).

Now, as far as this current situation goes, let me state for the record that this is not going to be a criticism of the whole department let alone part of the department. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, including the corrections officers. I will admit to you that this is not looking good on their part. However, I did not trust the county leaders handling this situation…well, except for maybe county state’s attorney Glenn Ivey.

Thank God that the Maryland State Police and the FBI are investigating this case. Personally, I do not think that Prince George’s County police chief Melvin High can handle crime (particularly because the deadliest year from the past two happened on his watch.) With that in mind, how can I honestly expect High to handle this case. Under normal circumstances, High would have been out on his head on the crime factor alone.

Not that I had much faith in Johnson before last week, but as state’s attorney, this man has lost every case he prosecuted against officers accused of corruption. In addition to using the police department as a political stepping stool, he was overly defensive of Keith Washington, his homeland security advisor and someone who should have lost his badge before the new millennium. Johnson’s hiring of Washington not only shows that he is talking out of both sides of the neck, but displays incompetence when it comes to law enforcement matters.

I also have no confidence in those speaking out in defense of White, ahem, WHO WAS ARRESTED AND IS BEING ACCUSED OF NOT ONLY STEALING A VEHICLE BUT ALSO USING SAID VEHICLE TO RUN OVER A POLICE OFFICER. That part needs to be capitalized. No offense to the grieving family because death is death no matter what, but had White not put into play the possibility that he was breaking the law, he would still be alive. Those people who are sticking up for White needs to remember that Findley was the guy who was trying to protect them.

Bottom line, two lives are now lost. Both of them are under bad circumstances but in the same story. It’s real easy to pick on the officers in Prince George’s County, but I am pretty sure that the ones that gave the department a bad name in the 80s and 90s have been retired for the most part.

Several things need to happen. The people who are going to stick up for White need to bite their tongue on this one, especially with outside agencies investigating. Also, this group needs to know that everything the officers do should not be placed under scrutiny; they for the most part are doing their jobs. The officers should keep their emotions in check for the previous stated reason because I suspect the feelings are pretty high right now. Every action that is going to be performed by a cop in a Prince George’s uniform is going to be under scrutiny for a good chunk of the immediate future more than ever, despite my plea.

Remember who created this mistrust of officers in the first place, Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson.

Whether or not White is guilty, we need to remember who the hero is because he gave his life in order to protect the peace of the Laurel community (of which I am a resident of).

Corporal Richard Findley is a ten year veteran of the Prince George’s County Police force. He was assigned to the special assignment team based at District 6 (covering Laurel, Beltsville and Calverton).

In addition to his police duties, he was a 20-year veteran of the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department He was a life member there and affectionately known as “Findog.” Findley held the office of Fire Lieutenant for several years and he also served on the Board of Directors for the BVFD. He had dedicated much of his free time to the department.

On the morning of Friday June 27, Corporal Findley observed a suspected stolen vehicle in the 14700 block of Bowie Road.

According to Prince George’s Police, early accounts state that as he approached the vehicle, Findley was struck by a pickup truck that fled the scene. Ronnie White was suspected as the driver. Corporal Findley was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Corporal Richard Findley was 39, and he leaves behind his wife and two young children. The Beltsville VFD has put together a tribute in picture of Findley at their website, www.beltsvillevfd.com.

kennyburns@marylandpolitics.us