Police Chief Asks For Patience In Hidden Camera At School Case

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Authorities asked for patience Friday as the FBI joins the Prince George's County Police Department and school officials in determining who hid a video camera in a principal's office at one school in the county.

Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski on Friday said in a statement that an office employee discovered the camera Monday morning. Police think the camera could have been accessed remotely and may have been in place for months. It was not used to record children but to gather information at the school, which police have not named.

“I want our community to know that if, at any point in our investigation, we discover information that needs to be brought to the attention of parents whose children attend the affected school, I will do so immediately,” said Chief Stawinski.

The camera was an office and not a locker room or bathroom, and captured only video and no audio.

Detectives are conducting interviews and securing warrants so they can analyze a recording system that was attached to the hidden camera. The Baltimore Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the examination of the data.

“The interviews and forensic examinations are processes that will take some time before I am able to bring definitive information to our community. I am asking for patience and understanding as my detectives conduct their work," Stawinski said. "Once we arrive at a point where we can confidently draw conclusions as to why the camera was placed in the office, who placed the camera there, who authorized the surveillance, and what was captured on recording, I will be able to provide our community with answers insofar the release of information does not compromise any ongoing investigation.”

He said the specifics on where the camera was found will not be released to protect the identity of the person whose office was apparently under surveillance.

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