Two Police Officers Suspended in Caroline County Following Viral Altercation
Lauren Miller WBOC April 3, 2024
https://www.wboc.com/news/two-police-officers-suspended-in-caroline-county-following-viral-altercation/article_20b5e53e-f20f-11ee-8fd0-e393bd7f4930.html
DENTON, MD. — Two police officers in Caroline County are currently serving suspensions after an altercation that occurred last year in the town of Denton, all of which was captured on video. The officers, identified as Corporal Mayo and Corporal Snyder, were each suspended for five days without pay and have additionally lost five days of their leave.
The incident, which took place on S Fourth Street in Denton, began with a dispute over an above-ground pool situated in front of an apartment and escalated quickly, leading to a viral video capturing the confrontation. In the video, a man can be seen punching a front door, prompting the individuals inside the apartment to request the officers, who were standing nearby, to intervene and arrest the man.
According to Denton Police Chief George Bacorn, the dispute stemmed from a landlord-neighbor-tenant disagreement regarding the placement of the pool. “It was a landlord-neighbor-tenant dispute over a swimming pool, and the landlord wanted the pool moved. The folks that had the pool didn’t want the pool moved. Basically that part got settled. An acquaintance of the landlord arrived on scene and caused a commotion over this pool,” stated Chief Bacorn.
Following the incident, an anonymous complaint was filed with Caroline County’s Police Accountability Board, leading to deliberation by the Administrative Charging Committee (ACC). Subsequently, the committee found both officers in violation, citing concerns over their judgment and tactics employed during the altercation.
“It basically came down to my officers’ judgment on how they were going to handle this, and they elected not to use force and try to de-escalate it, but their tactics did not work, and that caused me some concerns,” Chief Bacorn explained.
As a result of the investigation, both officers faced numerous violations, including neglect of duty and unsatisfactory work performance. Corporal Mayo was further demoted to patrolman first class.
While Chief Bacorn acknowledges the ruling, he emphasizes that nobody was injured during the incident, and the man involved in punching the door, Christopher Morgan, was promptly arrested and charged with second-degree assault. Morgan pleaded guilty and received three years of probation without any jail time.
>Denton Police officers under investigation over argument circulating on TikTok
By: WMAR STAFF
Posted at 3:04 PM, Apr 12, 2023 and last updated 3:04 PM, Apr 12, 2023
DENTON, Md. — The Denton Police Department ordered an investigation into its own officers over their response to an April 7 incident that’s now circulating on social media.
Officers were initially called for a landlord tenant dispute at a residential building on S. 4th Street.
On scene the property owner and residents were involved in an argument over a pool in the yard.
Christopher Morgan, 38, who appears to be associated with the property owner, threatens to assault one of the residents.
Someone recorded part of the altercation on TikTok, which shows Morgan punching through a glass screen door in front of at least three police officers.
In the video, Morgan is seen wearing a Chosen Sons Motorcycle Club vest, and is accompanied by multiple other members who try removing him from the situation.
Police allow Morgan to leave the scene without charges.
“Morgan was not arrested at that time due to his highly agitated state and the officers intent to deescalate the situation,” said Denton Police Chief George Bacorn.
Officers ended up taking the residents to the District Court Commissioner to obtain a peace order against Morgan.
Police ultimately got a warrant for Morgan’s arrest, charging him with second degree assault and malicious destruction of property.
Morgan turned himself into police on April 11, and was released on $1000 unsecured bond.
“I have reviewed the officers body worn camera footage and it raises serious questions about how the call for service was handled,” said Bacorn. “The response by the officers involved will be investigated by Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and those findings will be provided to the Administrative Charging Committee. It is extremely important that we always take every step available to ensure victims feel protected and are protected.”
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