Crime & Safety

Commander Suspended For Evidence Tampering: Aberdeen Police

An investigation is underway after allegations of criminal misconduct in the Aberdeen Police Department.

ABERDEEN, MD - An 18-year veteran of the Aberdeen Police Department has been suspended after an investigation uncovered evidence of drug tampering, officials said.

The lieutenant was a member of the command staff, according to the Aberdeen Police Department, which did not publicly identify the officer.

The department began investigating after allegations of criminal misconduct were made against the lieutenant on Wednesday, Aug. 2.

Find out what's happening in Aberdeenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Aberdeen police chief announced on Thursday, Aug. 3, that he has asked Maryland State Police to handle the criminal and administrative investigation to allow for an impartial handling of the case.

The suspension of the Aberdeen officer this week comes as the Baltimore Police Department has been put in the national spotlight amid allegations of evidence tampering based on body camera footage that the state's attorney there deemed "questionable."

Find out what's happening in Aberdeenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Aberdeen