PG County Police Chief Ends Officer Incentive Program: Report

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD — Prince George’s County Police chief this week axed what he called an unauthorized incentive program for PG County officers, saying the program had the potential to erode public trust, according to a report. Chief Hank Stawinski said during a news conference Wednesday he learned about the program July 26 and that it was in effect at the Bowie station for six months.

The program offered 10 hours of compensatory time each month to officers who were the most productive, WTOP TV reported. In other words, the officer on each patrol squad who carried out the most enforcement actions, such as writing tickets, arrests, person stops and more, would receive extra pay.

The commander and assistant commander of the Bowie station were disciplined and transferred, Stawinski said. He also apologized to the community, saying the incentive program was not an appropriate way professionally police.

Communities in the Bowie station include Bowie, Glendale, Greenbelt, Kettering, Largo, Lanham, Mitchelville, New Carrollton, Seabrook, Springdale, Upper Marlboro and Woodmore.