County Police Chief Retires, Interim Chief Named

LANDOVER, MD — Prince George’s County Police Chief Mark Magaw announced his retirement Friday morning after 32 years with the department.

Magaw has served as Chief of Police since December of 2010. During his tenure, crime in the county has dropped to historic lows.

The department says Magaw has accepted a new position with Prince George’s County, where he will serve as County Executive Baker’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety.

“This is a bittersweet time. It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve as the Chief of Police for this remarkable police department,” Magaw said in a statement. “The men and women of this agency are true public servants, committed to serving our community. I will miss working alongside the dedicated individuals who have made the department what it is today. I look forward to transitioning to my new position, where I will continue to have the opportunity to proudly serve the citizens of Prince George’s County.”

County Executive Rushern Baker says Deputy Chief Hank Stawinski will be appointed Interim Chief of Police. Stawinski currently leads the department’s Bureau of Patrol. He joined the Prince George’s County Police Department in 1992.

“I am humbled to be selected as the next Interim Chief of Police for the Prince George’s County Police Department. In recent years, we’ve made great strides in cutting crime in the county. I will work each day as the Interim Chief determined to make a positive difference for the citizens of the county and for the men and women of the police department. It will be a true honor to lead this department. In my opinion, the Prince George’s County Police Department is arguably the most progressive and effective department in the country today ,” said Deputy Chief Stawinski.

In another personnel change, Deputy Chief Gevonia Whittington announced her retirement on Friday. She currently oversees the Bureau of Administration. Whittington first joined the Prince George’s County Police Department in October of 1989.

Baker has selected her to be the county’s next Director of Homeland Security.

“I am honored to have been selected to lead an agency that is such a critical component in the county government and I thank Mr. Baker for this opportunity. I am torn in my decision to retire. However, it is time to move on. I am proud of my accomplishments and the many relationships I have formed on the police department and in the community,” said Whittington.

The County Council is charged with confirming the county executive’s selection for Chief of Police.

»Photos, from left, of Mark Magaw, Hank Stawinski and Gevonia Whittington, courtesy of Prince George’s County Police