Prince George’s County interim police chief named after resignation of Hank Stawinski

READ HERE – Billy Murphy quoted regrading PG County police chief resignation.

 

Assistant Chief of Police Hector Valez has been named the interim police chief for Prince George’s County following the resignation of Hank Stawinski.

County Executive Angela Alsobrooks introduced Valez during a Friday press conference.

Alsobrooks began her press conference today with words of praise for former county police Chief Hank Stawinski saying, “He has served this department and he served our community well and served with great integrity.”

Then Alsobrooks explained that after months of thought, she and Stawinski decided it was time for a change at the top. She accepted his resignation yesterday.

While a national search for a new chief is conducted Assistant Chief Hector Velez will serve as interim Chief. He has been with PGPD for 26 years.

“I stand before you humbled ready to listen and motivated to lead this police department into the future,” said Velez in his first public appearance as interim Chief.

Among those reacting today and applauding the change attorney Billy Murphy. He represents the family of William Green who was handcuffed when he was shot by a PGPD officer.

That officer, Michael Owen, is now charged with murder. Murphy says, “Leadership starts at the top and if he wasn’t fit to root out these problems he was the wrong guy.”

County Executive Alsobrooks says she has great faith in the Prince George’s County Police Department but she also says she knows it is not perfect.

“Whatever we find that is broken I assure I will fix it,” said the County Executive.

Former Police Chief Hank Stawinski resigned Thursday after a report surfaced that exposed alleged patterns of racism and discrimination in the department.