New Police Chief Introduced In Prince George's

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Prince George's is getting a new police chief, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced at a Friday afternoon press conference. The next top cop will be Malik Aziz, a current deputy chief for the Dallas Police Department in Texas.

Aziz will take over a squad that has seen several controversies over the past 14 months. Former Chief Hank Stawinski resigned last June after several Black and Brown officers filed a lawsuit against the Prince George's County Police Department. Their suit alleged that the department had for years discriminated against officers from racial minorities.

That litigation came months after police accused an officer of fatally shooting a man in handcuffs. The killing eventually led to the indictment of Cpl. Michael Owen and a $20 million settlement with the family of the victim, William Howard Green.

Within the last year, officers have also faced charges of sexually abusing a minor, attempted rape and sharing confidential information with a sex worker.

Aziz hopes to overcome this history with modern policing. The new chief has:

• Led the National Black Police Association
• Presented to the President’s Task Force On 21st Century Policing
• Served as a board member on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
• Earned the NAACP's Joe Bagby Law Enforcement Leader Award

"Community policing and reducing crime are one and the same, because policing is a public service," Aziz said in a press release. "I promise to be a Chief that will be approachable, highly visible and willing to listen to the officers of this Department and the community."

(Story continues below tweet)

The hire comes about two months after Alsobrooks adopted sweeping police reform. The new policies will make more police records public, increase officer oversight and emphasize community engagement.

The county executive's overhaul started in July of 2020, when she created the Police Reform Work Group. The task force responded to protesters calling for social justice after George Floyd, a Black man, died while a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck last May.

By December, the reform committee recommended 50 modifications to the police department. Alsobrooks adopted 35 as written, amended 11 and struck four.

"Aziz stood out as an individual who is reform-minded and has always placed an emphasis on the importance of community policing," Alsobrooks said in the release. "As we work to reform our Police Department, he is the individual we felt was suited to take this Department into the future."

The search for Aziz took nine months. After a six-week survey to gauge community interests, the county hired a firm to lead a national search for the ideal candidate. Throughout the process, Prince George's leaders met with:

• PGPD officers
• The Police Reform Work Group
• Homeowner and civic associations
• Religious figures
• The County Council

"I would like to also extend my sincerest thanks to Interim Chief Hector Velez for accepting my request to serve as Interim Chief as we underwent our search," Alsobrooks added. "Velez has been a dedicated member of our Department and led with honor and distinction since July 2020."

Aziz will replace Velez on on May 9 when he moves to the county. The promotion well end Aziz's 29-year stint with Dallas police.

"Although a loss for our Department, this is a great achievement for Malik and a gain for Prince George’s County," Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said. "I wish Malik the best and am hopeful to collaborate with him around the Major Cities Chiefs Association table."

RELATED:

(Most recent listed first)

1. Schools Need Police Officers, Board Of Education Decides: Report
2. Protests Spur Police Reform Measures In Prince George's County
3. Multimillion-Dollar Settlement Announced In Police Shooting Case
4. Sexual Abuse Of Juvenile Charged To County Police Officer: Report
5. Moms Condemn Racism, Leave International Club In Protest
6. Prince George's Cop Arrested, Charged With Attempted Rape
7. Sex And Confidential Info: Officer Indicted On Misconduct Charge
8. Alsobrooks Names Interim Police Chief, Vows To Fix Department
9. County Police Chief Resigns, Lawsuit Claims Racial Slurs Used
10. Police Officer Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Citizen In Handcuffs

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.