2 County Officers Indicted For Assaulting Student, Jail Inmate

Two Prince George’s County Police officers were indicted by a grand jury on Thursday – one for assaulting a high school student and one for assaulting a suspect in jail.

Police Officer First Class Charles Pickard, a resource officer at Suitland High School, is charged with assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. WUSA reports Pickard allegedly assaulted a student on Nov. 12, 2013.

Pickard has been employed by the police department for six years and was assigned to the Bureau of Patrol. His police powers were suspended last year and he remains suspended with pay pending the outcome of the criminal charges.

Police Officer First Class Jerry Thomas faces charges of misconduct in office. The TV station reports Thomas allegedly assaulted a handcuffed suspect inside a jail cell

in late 2012.

Thomas has been employed by the department for five years and was assigned to the Bureau of Patrol. He remains suspended with pay pending the outcome of the criminal charge.

“I want to make it clear to our community, that these cases were not brought about as a result of citizen complaints,” said Prince George’s County Police Chief Mark Magaw. “Through our internal review process, the Police Department identified conduct that was presented to the grand jury which has led to the indictments today of two of our officers. I respect the grand jury’s decision and now the judicial process will decide the facts of these matters. I want to assure the residents of our county that we are dedicated to transparent and ethical policing. Our community has my word that this, and their safety, are my overriding goals.”