Suspended Prince George's County Police Officer Sentenced For Assault

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A Prince George's County Police Officer was sentenced for assault Friday for striking a 22-year-old man with his police cruiser during a call for a fight and armed suspect in June 2016.

On June 13, 2016, police received a call for an armed person and fight in the 800 block of Fairview Ave. An arriving officer observed three men arguing, and one of the men indicated the other two men threatened to shoot him, police said. As the officer was checking for weapons and patting down the individuals, one suspect ran away.

When Officer Juan Hernandez pulled up to the scene, he saw the suspect running and was advised by a fellow officer to pursue him, police said. Hernandez then struck the man with his cruiser. The suspect ran a short distance further but was caught and taken into custody. At that time, the man said he was not injured and refused medical treatment, police said.

Hernandez, a patrol officer, was an 11-year veteran of the police force. He was found guilty of second-degree assault, but found not guilty of misconduct in office, according to a report from the Prince George's County Police Department.

The Department’s internal administrative process continues, police said.

Photo: PGPD