A Message from Sheriff Troy D. Berry

As the Sheriff of Charles County, it is my honor to present our 2023 Annual Report. This report encapsulates our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.

Throughout 2023, our dedicated team of law enforcement professionals worked tirelessly to uphold the values, integrity, accountability, and service expected from our employees. We are a family committed to serving our communities to the highest degree.

In 2023, as the County’s population continued to grow, we restructured our Agency to keep up with the need for additional supervision for our growing organization. We added a third Assistant Sheriff and created a Field Operations component to our organizational chart.

Our community outreach initiatives aimed at fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and residents have continuously shown commendable results. We believe collaboration is essential for creating a safer and more united community.

Our proactive approach to crime prevention has resulted in reductions in crime rates and continued arrests of suspects responsible for committing those crimes. We implemented strategic measures and partnerships to address emerging trends, ensuring the continued safety of our neighborhoods and businesses.

In our ongoing commitment to excellence, our Agency is dedicated to enhancing training in all areas with a special focus on mental health, de-escalation, and conflict resolution. This training has been invaluable as we respond to more and more calls related to mental health situations.

Embracing technological advances, we implemented innovative tools to enhance our efficiency.  In 2023, we initiated a pilot program of our body-worn cameras and have worked diligently to ensure the program is operating to its best ability when it comes to full fruition in 2025.

As we move forward into 2024, we remain steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all. I extend my gratitude to the entire community for your trust and support. Together, we can continue to build a community where everyone feels safe, valued, and heard. Thank you and may God Bless you.

Sincerely,

Sheriff Troy D. Berry

 

2023 Fast Facts

County Population: 170,102*

Sworn Officers: 311

Corrections Officers: 119

Court Security Officers: 14 full-time, 1 part-time Security Aide

Automated Enforcement Unit (AEU) Deputy: 1

Civilian Employees: 174 full-time; 9 full-time reduced hours; 36 part-time which included Court Security Officers, and AEU Officer

Calls for Service: 302,414

Arrests: 4,123

Traffic Stops: 25,177

Motor Vehicle Citations 9,639 / Warnings- 29,271 / SERO-1,831

DUI Citations: 206

Automobile Fatal Crashes: 7**

Alcohol or Drug-Related Automobile Crashes:  1 crash/1 death**

*Number based on the 2023 U.S. Census Bureau estimate.

**Statistics do not include Maryland State Police traffic fatality investigations. Several crashes are still under investigation and pending results.

Crime statistics for Charles County, including crimes investigated by the Maryland State Police, the La Plata Police Department, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, are available in the Maryland Uniform Crime Report. Citizens can also search for crimes investigated by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office using CrimeReports.com, which provides citizens with near-instant access to calls for service data.

 

Our History

As the primary law enforcement agency in Charles County, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States, is a full-service operation. The CCSO provides all the services commonly associated with police departments and sheriff’s offices and operates the Charles County Detention Center.

The CCSO has a hallowed obligation to maintain law and order and to protect life and property. Centuries of growth and innovation have transformed how the CCSO fulfills its mission, but its rich history is an indelible element behind its modern achievements.

When the CCSO was established in 1658, it was staffed by only one law enforcement officer, Sheriff Nicholas Gwyther, who served dually as sheriff in St. Mary’s County. Sheriff Gwyther’s responsibilities were collecting taxes, serving warrants, apprehending criminals, and occasionally investigating witchcraft. He conducted business wherever he could, usually at his home.

Nearly 100 sheriffs have served as Charles County’s chief law enforcement officer since Sheriff Gwyther, and throughout the years these sheriffs have addressed the perpetually growing demand for law enforcement services, most of which are a result of commercial and residential growth. As the responsibilities of Charles County Sheriffs grow, so too grows their contingent of personnel. Today, the CCSO employs more than 650 police, corrections, and civilian personnel.

As the CCSO transformed from a one-man operation into one of its community’s largest employers, it expanded its physical presence in Charles County. In the 20th century, the Sheriff’s Headquarters moved from the County Courthouse to an abandoned military site and then to a renovated truck stop, which now serves as the La Plata District Station. The current Headquarters, which sits adjacent to the La Plata Station, opened in 2000 and was the first building erected specifically as the CCSO’s flagship. Additional district stations are operated in Waldorf and Bryans Road. A Community Services and Property Management annex opened in 2005 beside the Charles County Emergency Operations Center, a state-of-the-art facility for police communications officers and the county’s Emergency Services Department personnel.

The first county jail was built next to the county’s original courthouse in Port Tobacco, the former county seat. The second jail was built in 1897 behind the current courthouse in La Plata and a third, which the CCSO still uses for Court Holding, was built beside it in 1926. A detention center behind the La Plata Station operated from 1981 to 1995 and reopened in 2007 as an annex of the current detention center.

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office earned initial accreditation from the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2001 and has maintained accreditation ever since, with no lapses or conditions. In addition, the CCSO has received some of the highest honors from CALEA by being named a Flagship Agency and by being awarded Reaccreditation with Excellence. Maintaining accreditation is an ongoing effort. The CCSO must demonstrate continued compliance with more than 400 CALEA standards by submitting annual reports and by taking part in annual web-based assessments. Every four years, the CCSO must undergo extensive site-based assessments and go before the Commission’s Review Committee to seek reaccreditation.

 

Mission and Values

Mission Statement

The men and women of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated to service through superior performance. We believe mutual respect, trust, and pride in our organization, combined with traditional values and innovative techniques, will ensure the community’s right to a safe environment.

Value Statements

The men and women of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office are bound by a higher standard of conduct as exemplified in the following values (P.R.I.D.E.):

Professionalism – We believe in delivering a level of service that will reflect the pride we have in our community and organization.

Respect – We believe in individual human dignity and the preservation of human rights under the rule and spirit of law, always treating others as we would like to be treated.

Integrity – We believe in maintaining public trust by holding ourselves accountable to the highest moral and ethical standards.

Duty – We believe the protection of life is our highest priority.

Excellence – We are dedicated to service through superior performance.

 

The Year in Review

In 2023, we gathered with community members and organizations, celebrated the successes of our employees, and further developed ourselves professionally as individuals and as an Agency. Here are a few of our accomplishments from 2023:

Focus on Community Relations, Public Trust, and Crisis Intervention Training Community:  The CCSO is steadfast in its dedication to fostering positive relationships with the community, particularly with the youth. Further, recognizing the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring public safety and building trust, the Agency remains committed to sustaining and enhancing training in critical areas and enhancing transparency.

Key Initiatives:

  1. Community Policing Programs: The Agency actively engages in community policing initiatives that prioritize building strong relationships with residents. Officers participate in neighborhood events, attend community meetings, and actively seek feedback to better understand the needs and concerns of the community.
  2. Youth Outreach Programs: A range of youth-centric outreach programs has been a priority for Sheriff Berry since taking office in 2014. These programs include school resource officers, after-school activities, the Youth Advisory Council, youth sports camps, and mentorship programs, which aim to provide positive role models and foster a sense of community among the youth.
  3. Crisis Intervention Training: Recognizing the complex nature of encounters involving individuals experiencing mental health crises, officers receive specialized Crisis Intervention Training. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills to respond to such situations with empathy, understanding, and an emphasis on de-escalation rather than confrontation.
  4. Introduction of the Body Worn Camera program: In 2023, the Agency began preparations for embarking on the use of body-worn cameras by its officers. The implementation of body-worn cameras provides an unbiased and objective record of interactions, enabling a more accurate representation of events and actions during law enforcement encounters. Gradual Rollout: The pilot program began in the summer of 2023 with selected officers equipped with body-worn cameras during specific shifts and assignments. This phased approach allowed for careful monitoring, evaluation, and adjustments to address any operational challenges that may arise. Policy Development: The Agency also created a committee to develop and review comprehensive policies governing the use of body-worn cameras. These policies outline when cameras should be activated, privacy considerations, data storage protocols, and the proper handling of recorded footage.

The Agency remains dedicated to maintaining and strengthening its commitment to community partnerships. By actively participating in various initiatives, fostering positive relationships, and prioritizing open communication, the Agency seeks to build trust, enhance public safety, and contribute to the overall well-being of the community. Ongoing efforts continue to adapt and evolve to meet the dynamic needs of the community while ensuring a proactive and positive relationship between law enforcement and residents.

 

Honored for Excellent Service and Bravery: Throughout the year, many officers and employees were honored by the Agency and outside organizations for their service.

In November, the agency honored 16 retirees and 62 award recipients at a banquet at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees. The following retirees were honored, with a combined 398 years of service:

  1. Captain Charles Bean
  2. M/SGT Timothy Miner
  3. SGT Ralph Peters
  4. M/CPL Tracy Lee
  5. M/CPL. Renee Cuyler
  6. M/CPL Charles Smith
  7. Patrick Hood
  8. PFC Charles Figgins
  9. PFC David Sylvestre
  10. PFC Steven Hawkins
  11. Director Brandon Foster
  12. M/SGT Carol Figgins
  13. Susan Thompson
  14. Jeri DeAtley
  15. Nolan Woodland
  16. Audrey Langley

 

 

The following awards were presented:

Meritorious Service Award:

  • Officer Vernon Karopchinsky: On April 21, Officer Karopchinsky was off duty traveling in Baltimore when he observed a vehicle stopped on an overpass. Officer Karopchinsky realized the woman was going to jump from the overpass and he was able to rescue her and prevent her from harming himself. He and his wife called 9-1-1 and waited until EMS could respond. His actions contributed to saving a citizen’s life and represent the finest traditions of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
  • Travis Yates: On March 5, officers responded to a home for the report of a man armed with a gun and threatening to kill himself.  Upon arrival, they were confronted by a male sitting on the front lawn holding a firearm to his head. Lt. Yates established a rapport while the other officers moved in a tactical direction. When it was safe, the officers were able to quickly approach the man, disarm him, and take care of him until EMS arrived. The officers showed courage and professionalism and for that Lieutenant Yates was awarded a Meritorious Service Award. Patrolman First Class Darin Behm, Patrolman First Class Troy Conner, Patrolman First Class Chance Wynne, and Police Officer Andrew Torreyson were awarded Certificates of Commendation.
  •  Deputy Director Noelle Gehrman, Sgt. John Elliott, and Supervisor Shreya Kamath: Their work in a 44-year-old murder case led to the identification of a suspect, an indictment by a Charles County Grand Jury, and brought justice to a family. Through the years, many investigators took up the case and tirelessly pursued any leads that came to light. As the case was passed to Detective Sergeant Elliott, Deputy Director Gehrman, and FSS Supervisor Kamath, the team looked into new investigative leads and forensic techniques to move the case forward. In the fall of 2022, the Forensic Science Section used a new DNA technique to obtain a suspect DNA sample. This led to a DNA database hit that provided a suspect that was never known. For their hard work and dedicated pursuit of justice, Detective Sergeant Elliott, Deputy Director Gehrman, and Supervisor Kamath were presented with Meritorious Service Awards.

 

Lifesaving Award:

  • Jason Wilson, PO Arden Williams, and PO Haley Holt for pulling a man out of a burning car and providing medical care until help arrived.
  • PO Matthew Thompson and PO Eric Otey for saving a man who had hung himself from a ceiling. Officers Thompson and Otey were able to quickly get the man to the ground and provide care until medical help arrived.
  • PO Cody Bottorf and Officer Kalen Kerere (La Plata Police Department) for their efforts in rendering CPR to an occupant of a car that had crashed. The driver was unconscious and not breathing. The officers took turns providing CPR until EMS arrived.
  • Ryan McMullen, PO Alana Snyder, and PO Joseph Huston for providing CPR to a man who had suddenly lost consciousness at a sporting location and was not breathing. The officers provided CPR including rescue breaths and chest compressions until EMS arrived.
  • PFC Dylan Chadbourne and PO Vernon Karopchinsky for helping to save the life of an eight-month-old baby who had been ejected from a car in a car crash and suffered severe trauma to the head. They provided care to the infant’s wounds until EMS arrived.

Sheriff’s Award:

  • Captain Louis C. Schmidt, III; Captain Andrew Schwab; and Lt. Erica Budd. During the past several years, Captain Schmidt, Captain Schwab, and Lieutenant Budd were asked to develop a leadership training program for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. This program was built from the ground up, focusing specifically on the skills and abilities necessary for both experienced and newly promoted supervisors and commanders to become effective and efficient leaders. They created a high-quality and well-developed program of instruction that has been delivered across the spectrum of responsibilities within the agency. As a direct result of their efforts, current and future leaders of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office are better positioned to meet the challenges that face them.

 

  • Captain Caroline Baker; Captain Matthew Dixon; Lt. Christopher Cusmano; Lt. Mark Kaylor; Lt. Matthew Irby; Deputy Director Amber DiToto; Sgt. Kristen Clark; Sgt. Shawn Gregory; Sgt. Katlin Goddard; Sgt. John Arcadipane; Katrina Burrows; Cpl. Nina Garner; PFC James Ryan; PFC Jerome Jackson; Jacqueline Burson; Vicki Bladen; and Jennifer Hackney. The Agency recognized the CCSO Wellness Committee members for their diligent and hard work in 2022 and 2023. Highlights for the years include encouraging health incentives, providing relief at the Charles County Fair, all-day information sharing on Law enforcement suicide awareness day, the Inaugural Santa Run at Laurel Springs, the Inaugural Wellness Fair at the Blue Crabs Stadium, Agency Red Cross blood drives and the Agency-Wide wellness newsletter. Their commitment to providing positive, meaningful programs and support to our fellow employees and their families has been helpful to all employees.

 

  • Jessica Foster: Ms. Foster has been commended for her remarkable dedication and contribution to victim services in Charles County. Her unique background as a certified Child Life Specialist with a Master’s Degree in Child Life, Administration, and Family Collaboration enabled her to revamp and modernize the program since her hiring in 2021. Jessica has not only increased awareness of the program within the community but also gained recognition as a respected victim services professional in both Charles County and the state of Maryland. She achieved this by promoting victim services to the public, enhancing communication among local service providers, leading the Southern Maryland Human Trafficking Collaborative, engaging with victims of crime directly, and delivering presentations on victim services topics. Her exceptional achievements include writing a chapter in a college textbook about the role of Child Life Specialists in community settings. Jessica’s commitment has significantly improved the program, fostered collaboration among various providers, and enhanced the agency’s public image through community outreach and communication efforts.

 

  • CFC Justin Lloyd; PO Sally Knutsen; and the Charles County Mobile Intensive Care Unit: In February 2023, Officer Knutsen attended a multi-agency active shooter training exercise. The training presented officers with a variety of scenarios and challenged them on how to respond. Following the training, Officer Knutsen looked for ways to better prepare our officers for dealing with victims of serious traumatic injuries. Officer Knutsen included Correctional Officer First Class Lloyd as she brainstormed ideas because he was the Vice President of the Charles County Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU). Lloyd presented their ideas to the MICU Executive board who agreed to donate over $30,000 worth of medical supplies to equip officers with the necessary tools to provide rapid medical care. Due to their efforts, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Trauma Bag program was developed and set into action. The program is already delivering results with citizens receiving better medical attention from first responding law enforcement officers during responses to incidents where traumatic injuries are present.

 

  • Travis Yates; Sgt. John Arcadipane; Sgt. Steven Bryant; Sgt. Chrissy Gilroy; Sgt. Dustin Hendricks; Sgt. Phillip Norris; Sgt. Phillip Conrad; Sgt. Amber Hancock; Sgt. Derek Arends; Sgt. Ryan McMullen; Cpl. Ron Walls; Cpl. Katie Bottorf; CFC Justin Lloyd; CFC Ronald Goldsmith, PFC Lee Elliot; PFC Stephen Duley; PFC Michael Hancock; PFC Kevin Makle; PFC Dureyea Toland; PFC Alan Acosta; PO Rick Perry; PO Jordan Wheeler; and PO Henry Giroux. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard represents the very best of the Sheriff’s Office. This award nomination is to recognize the men and women of this team with a Sheriff’s Award for their continued dedication to excellence. This all-volunteer collateral duty often calls for short notice responses, additional training, and many hot days standing in full uniform. This group can be seen year-round at community events, memorials, agency functions, and providing honors at funeral services. In two months, the Honor Guard honored five retired officers through a well-coordinated display of professionalism during the funeral process. These honors were in addition to other assignments to include Blue Crabs baseball opening day, a Corrections Graduation, the CCSO Wreath Laying ceremony, Police Week and Vigil.

 

In May, Charles County Detention Center (CCDC) Director Brandon Foster, along with Sheriff Berry and members of the CCSO and CCDC Command Staff, was proud to announce that Correctional Officer Corporal Nicholas Cargill was named the 2022 Correctional Officer of the Year. Corporal was recognized for many leadership actions that took place in 2022:

In January of 2022, when a snowstorm hindered several members of the kitchen staff from being able to come to work, Cpl. Cargill volunteered to assist the kitchen in preparing trays and dispersing meals. In February, Cpl. Cargill also used his personal time to assist with a project for the expansion of the Intake Unit – a tremendous help to the Intake Supervisor. In addition to all his assigned duties, Cpl. Cargill assumed responsibility for coordinating the 2022 Charles County Correctional Officers Association (CCCOA) annual toy drive. Cpl. Cargill, along with assistance from other officers, was able to raise $19,000 in monetary donations and $10,000 in donated toys for the Children’s Aid Society. Over 1,000 local children benefited from these efforts.

 

Also in May, Officer Keegan Dunn was named the Sons of the American Legion 2022 First Responder of the Year. Officer Dunn was selected by the Sons of the American Legion for this prestigious award as a result of his actions in the following incident:

On August 17, 2022, officers responded to the area of Smallwood Drive and McDaniel Road for the report of a male subject who had just stolen a firearm from a family member and fled on foot. The family indicated that the subject was suffering from a mental health episode and was concerned for his safety. While responding, Officer Dunn located the subject on foot. As Dunn exited his vehicle in pursuit of the man, he saw the handgun in the subject’s waistband and took immediate action to detain him. A struggle ensued, but ultimately Officer Dunn apprehended the man safely and officers were able to get him the help he needed.

“Officer Dunn’s quick actions and sound judgment that day prevented potential harm to the armed man, officers, and others,” said Sheriff Berry. “Every day our officers respond to incidents in which they could be putting their lives on the line. I commend Officer Dunn and all of our officers for their selfless service to Charles County, and I thank the Sons of the American Legion for continuing to recognize their efforts.”

In June, the Agency signed a pledge in partnership with the  30×30 Initiative, a coalition of more than 150 police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations, who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in policing agencies across the United States and work toward increasing women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030.

“We are constantly recruiting people to join our agency and by signing onto the 30×30 pledge, we hope to encourage women to consider policing – a profession that sometimes may be overlooked or not considered,” said Sheriff Berry. The CCSO’s Background and Recruiting Supervisor, Stephine Gregory, learned about the 30×30 initiative and presented it to the Agency. “We are always looking for innovative ways to attract people to policing and this initiative has shown to be a helpful resource to other law enforcement agencies,” said Ms. Gregory.

 

 In July, the Agency held a press conference announcing an arrest in a cold case murder that occurred nearly 44 years from the date of occurrence. Through perseverance and tenacity, investigators from the Forensics Sciences Section, working with detectives from the Homicide Unit, were able to identify a suspect in connection with the 1979 murder of Kay Belk. Through DNA and additional leads, the suspect was arrested and indicted. The arrest highlights the agency’s mission to investigate crimes to their fullest and to seek justice for victims.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In October, the Maryland Police & Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC) held its 23rd Annual Instructor’s Conference.

Officers from throughout Maryland were recognized for their contributions to the law enforcement profession as academy and non-academy instructors, including one Correctional Officer, Sgt. Crystal Parum, Supervisor at the Charles County Detention Center (CCDC). Sgt. Parum was recognized by the Maryland Police Training Commission as the “Charles County Detention Center’s Instructor of the Year” at a ceremony held in Sykesville for her work relating to training at the CCDC.

Over the last year, Sgt. Parum has filled in for the training commander and coordinated in-service training. She managed the field training program and processed a record number of outside training requests. She also taught numerous classes and maintained her instructor certifications in chemical agents, CPR, academics, Taser X2, and the new Taser 7. Further, Sgt. Parum oversaw the process of digitizing all division training records–something that needed to be done with a high level of confidence and precautions. Sgt. Parum is committed to enhancing the safety and security of the facility through proper training and guidance for staff as a supervisor and an instructor.

In December, five patrol officers were recognized for their heroic actions in saving a man from a car that struck a curb, went airborne, and landed in a 17-foot-deep pond. The SUV was completely submerged and only one person witnessed the crash. With the help of the witness, officers jumped into the water and rescued the man and his two dogs. A press conference was held to highlight the officers and witnesses and to reunite the driver with the people who saved him.

 

Professional Development:

Throughout the year, several Police and Correctional Officers devoted time and commitment to pursuing degrees and certifications that would allow them to maximize their potential and serve the community better.

In 2023, we commended the graduation of seven officers from Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command: Lieutenant Anthony Celia, Lieutenant William Welch, Lieutenant Ryan Taylor, and Sergeant Jessica Minor.  The School of Police Staff and Command, a 22-week program, is designed to prepare top and mid-level law enforcement managers and supervisors for senior agency positions. “I am extremely proud of the time, commitment, and dedication devoted by these officers to enhancing their leadership abilities. “Participating in this rigorous academic program requires a great deal of time, commitment, and dedication from these officers and their families,” said Sheriff Berry. “I am extremely proud of their commitment and look forward to their continued success as leaders within our Agency.”

 

 

 

In August, Corrections Captain Matthew Dixon and Captain Tony Oliver graduated from the National Jail Leadership Command Academy (NJLCA) at the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. The NJLCA provides students with training for succession preparation and develops leadership skills for successful transitioning into senior leadership positions within jails. “It is critically important we provide opportunities for our Commanders to enhance their leadership skills and deliver professional management for personnel working in the Corrections Division,” said Sheriff Berry. “We are proud of Captain Dixon and Captain Oliver for their commitment to take on these responsibilities.”

 

 

In September, Lieutenant Travis Yates graduated from Cohort 2023-02 of the DC Police Leadership Academy (DCPLA) hosted by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). “I am proud of Lt. Yates’ accomplishment. Continuing education is critical for our supervisors and I’m confident Lt. Yates will bring the knowledge, skills, and abilities he learned to our Agency to enhance leadership skills throughout all components of the Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Berry.

 

In December, Captain Harry Ivers graduated from the FBI National Academy Session 288

On December 7, Captain Ivers was one of 198 fellow law enforcement executives who represented 45 states and the District of Columbia. Captain Ivers was nominated to attend the Academy by Sheriff Troy D. Berry based on his leadership skills and professionalism. Less than 1 percent of the nation’s law enforcement executives are selected to attend this highly regarded program. “Having graduated from the FBI National Academy a few years ago, I know this type of training is important and invaluable for our staff. They can take what they learn and better prepare themselves and their peers for policing in today’s changing and challenging world,” said Sheriff Berry.

 

Also in December, PFC Kenneth Barry and POII Carlton Watkins completed DARE training. DARE, an acronym for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is a program our School Resource Officers use to teach students about the dangers of drug use and abuse. PFC Barry (left) is a School Resource Officer assigned to cover Lackey High School, and Officer Watkins is a School Resource Officer assigned to cover St. Charles High School and Neal Elementary School. The CCSO has 18 DARE Instructors.

 

 

 

New Officers (Sworn and Corrections) complete the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy, located in Charles County, which hosted several academy classes in 2023.

The following officers graduated from the Police Entrance Level Training Program in 2023:

  • October:
  • Zachariah Barnhart
  • Justin Crain
  • Anna Klotz
  • George Leonard, IV
  • Michael McCloskey
  • Lilibeth Rios
  • Brock Ruble
  • Charles Watley

The following officers graduated from the Corrections Entrance Level Training Program in 2023:

May:

  • Correctional Officer Brandon Davis
  • Correctional Officer Damein Graham, Jr.
  • Correctional Officer Keith Pappas
  • Correctional Officer Davon Smith

December:

  • Correctional Officer Kolbey Cooper
  • Correctional Officer Romelisa Francois
  • Correctional Officer Gissell Garrido-Bautista
  • Correctional Officer Ward Grove
  • Correctional Officer Ronald Scott
  • Correctional Officer Justin Thompson
  • Correctional Officer Dylan Walker
  • Correctional Officer Taylor Williams
  • Correctional Officer Niko Woodland

 

Recognition of Agency Excellence: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to service through superior performance. The Agency continually earns local and national recognition for exceptional work.

Year after year the CCSO maintains its internationally recognized accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The Agency continues to maintain the highest standards. In October 2023, the Commission conducted a web-based assessment of 110 of the standards the CCSO is required to comply with to maintain accreditation.

During a State Standards audit in 2022, the Charles County Detention Center was found to be 100% in compliance with State standards and was presented with a Recognition of Achievement Award. The commission noted in its report that this was the 7th time the CCDC achieved 100% on its compliance audit. This achievement was notable given the many challenges over the past three years in managing the risks of the pandemic.

In November, the Charles County Detention Center was awarded National Accreditation for Quality Health Care Services by demonstrating compliance with NCCHC’s nationally recognized standards of care for correctional health services in jails. Accreditation recognizes the Charles County Detention Center’s commitment to providing quality health services for the incarcerated population. To earn NCCHC accreditation, the CCDC underwent a rigorous professional assessment in May. “I salute the health care staff, custody staff, and leadership for their hard work and dedication on behalf of our patients. We have a constitutional obligation to provide health care to those incarcerated in our jail, and we are committed to doing so with innovation, excellence, and efficiency,” said Director Ross.  “I would particularly like to thank our health services provider, PrimeCare Medical for working so diligently with us to achieve accreditation. For seven years, PrimeCare Medical has been our partner in delivering the high-quality care that accreditation now recognizes.

For 45 years, NCCHC’s highly respected standards have provided guidance to help correctional health professionals and administrators improve the health of their incarcerated populations and the communities to which they return, increase the efficiency of health services delivery, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and reduce the risk of adverse legal judgments. The consensus-based standards are developed in consultation with national experts in correctional health care, mental health, law, and corrections.

“The Corrections Division has one of the toughest jobs in the agency,” said Sheriff Berry. “To achieve a perfect score while managing the custody and security of inmates as well as offering a variety of programs to help inmates is an outstanding accomplishment and testament to their passion for their work.”

 

 About Our Agency

Office of the Sheriff

The OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF is comprised of the Sheriff, Chief of Staff, three Assistant Sheriffs, the Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Office of the General Counsel.

Sheriff Troy D. Berry is a 32-year veteran of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and was first elected as Sheriff in 2014. He was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2022. He leads an Agency of over 700 employees and is the final authority on all matters of policy, operations, and discipline.

Mr. Brian Eley serves as Sheriff Berry’s Chief of Staff. He is the highest responsible senior administrative and supervisory authority of all employees of the Agency. He is directly responsible for the Office of the General Counsel and the Executive Services Division.

Three Assistant Sheriffs are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Agency. Major Michael Almassy serves as the Assistant Sheriff of Operations and is responsible for Patrol Operations and the Criminal Investigations Division. Major Ronald Farrell serves as the Assistant Sheriff of Administration and is responsible for the Corrections Division, the Special Services Division, the Support Services Division, the Information Technology Division, and the Administrative Services Division. Major David Kelly serves as the Assistant Sheriff of Field and Support and is responsible for the Special Operations Division, Community Services Division, and Training Division.

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is an independent component of the CCSO and maintains the integrity of the Agency by ensuring the professional conduct of Agency personnel. OPR’s two sections include the Internal Affairs Section and the Standards and Inspections Section. The division operates under the command of Captain William Edge.

The Internal Affairs Section investigated fifty-one (51) misconduct allegations in 2023. Of the fifty-one (51) investigations, thirty-four (34) were received from the public, sixteen (16) were initiated internally and one (1) was investigated by another law enforcement agency. The complaints involved forty-six (46) police officers, eighteen (18) correctional officers, and two (2) civilian employees. An internal investigation can be comprised of multiple misconduct violations, each of which is closed with one of the following dispositions:

  • Sustained: The investigation supported the conclusion that the officer engaged in the alleged conduct and violated a policy by doing so.
  • Exonerated: The investigation supported the conclusion that the incident did occur, but the officer’s actions were legal, proper, and reasonable.
  • Unfounded: The investigation supported the conclusion that the officer did not engage in the alleged conduct and did not violate an agency policy by doing so.
  • Not Sustained: The investigation did not prove or disprove the alleged conduct.

In 2023, of the fifty-one (51) Internal investigations thirty-two (32) have been closed and nineteen (19) are still under investigation.  The thirty-two (32) closed investigations resulted in the following dispositions:

  • 10 investigations had sustained allegations
  • 14 investigations had exonerated allegations
  • 7 investigations had unfounded allegations
  • 1 investigation had not sustained allegations

The Office of the General Counsel is assigned to provide legal advice and represent the Office of the Sheriff and serves as the Agency’s liaison with the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

Mr. Jerome Spencer, a former prosecutor and Circuit Court Judge, serves as the Agency’s General Counsel, and Ms. Misty Good serves as Deputy General Counsel. The Office of General Counsel provides ongoing legal education for the Sheriff’s Office, including annual in-service instruction for sworn officers and an introduction to criminal law and procedure at the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy. The Office of General Counsel actively participates in the Maryland Chiefs’ and Sheriffs’ Association’s legislative committee, the Maryland police legal advisors’ group, the Maryland State Bar Association State and Local Government Section, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Ms. Good currently serves as chairperson for the Maryland police legal advisors’ group.  Mr. Spencer serves as a legal liaison to the Maryland Sheriff’s Association.  Mr. Spencer also serves on the section council for the Maryland State Bar Association State & Local Government section and on the board for the International Association of Chiefs of Police Legal Officers Section.

Patrol Division

When life or property is in peril, citizens rely on the protection of the CCSO’s first responders — the officers of the PATROL DIVISION — whose chief responsibilities are maintaining law and order and restoring peace when public safety is threatened. The Patrol Division prevents and investigates crime, responds to calls for service including crimes in progress, non-emergency calls, and medical emergencies, and enforces traffic laws. The Patrol Division also assists at large community events such as the Charles County Fair and Fourth of July events. It is the CCSO’s most visible component.

Charles County covers 643 square miles. For law enforcement, the county is divided into two divisions, North and South, which comprise four districts. Captain Andrew Schwab serves as the Commander of the Northern District and Captain Harry Ivers serves as the Commander of the Southern District.

Five shifts of 20 patrol officers (ranked corporal and below) and four sergeants each provide police services day and night throughout Charles County. An additional shift consisting of nine officers and one sergeant serves as the permanent midnight shift, allowing the other five shifts to rotate between days, evenings, and midnights. Each officer is assigned to either the Northern District or the Southern District of the county. Additionally, 11 lieutenants serve as shift commanders in the Patrol Division, ensuring a commander is always on duty in both the Northern District and Southern District. Shift commanders coordinate the Patrol Division’s response to major incidents and make critical operational decisions.

Patrol officers responded to 75,086 calls for service in 2023, which included a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations.

Patrol officers made 1,690 arrests in 2023. These include not only arrests made on-scene after responding to calls but also those made after interrupting crimes in progress during proactive patrols, during traffic stops where more serious crimes like drug or weapon possession are uncovered, and as a result of extensive investigations.

The Agency’s K9 Unit is assigned to the Patrol Division. The K-9 Unit consists of a Sergeant, a civilian trainer, and 9 dogs which include 6 Patrol/Narcotics detection canines, 2 Patrol/Explosive/Weapons detection canines, 2 Bloodhound/Trailing canines, and one canine training as a Patrol/Weapons detection team.

Each K-9 team is certified by our agency, the International Police Working Dog Association (IPWDA), and Old Dominion SAR/K-Star standards. In 2023, the unit was deployed over 245 times. The teams conducted:

  • 36 building searches
  • 49 criminal tracks
  • 9 non-criminal tracks (these are humanitarian tracks, i.e., missing persons tracks) and located 3 individuals
  • 14 evidence searches with 8 incidents of evidence recovered
  • 66 narcotic scans with 51 incidents of recovered narcotics
  • 17 gun scans with 8 incidents of recovered guns
  • 8 Explosive scans with 0 recovered
  • 18 incidents where K-9 was utilized as perimeter security or visual deterrent
  • 27 incidents where K-9 assisted with patrol or specialized units which resulted in criminal apprehensions/arrests
  • More than 20 demonstrations

Special Operations Division

The SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION performs tactical assignments and provides services to keep the community safe. Captain Jason Carlson is the division’s commander. The division includes the Field Operations Section.

The Field Operations Section is supervised by Lieutenant Matthew Thompson and includes the Traffic Operations Unit, Security Response Vessel, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Emergency Services Team, Automated Enforcement Unit, Intoximeter Operator Function, Motorcycle Function, and the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Function.

The Traffic Operations Unit investigates traffic fatalities, school bus crashes, school bus complaints, and abandoned vehicles; conducts radar operations and commercial vehicle inspections; manages crossing guard assignments; provides funeral escorts; and manages all traffic-related grants awarded to the CCSO.

The Security Response Vessel is a specially trained team of officers and civilians who provide law enforcement services on the waterways of Charles County. The vessels are specially designed for law enforcement use and are equipped to handle a variety of possible situations.

The Unmanned Aerial System are specially trained and federally licensed Unmanned Aircraft pilots who provide aerial support during operations requiring a bird’s eye view or tactical search using the aircraft instead of exposing an officer to extreme danger.

The Emergency Service Team is a group of specially trained and equipped officers who are called upon to handle high-risk calls, rescues, and the service of high-risk search warrants.

The Automated Enforcement Unit oversees and administers the school zone Speed Cameras program, the Red-Light Camera Program, and the Bus Patrol Camera Program.

The Intoximeter Operator Function is a group of specially trained and certified officers who perform the breath test procedures for officers investigating Driving While Intoxicated incidents.

The Motorcycle Function is a group of specially trained and certified officers who operate agency police motorcycles for funeral escorts and special events.

The Drug Recognition Expert Function is a group of specially trained and certified officers who have been certified to investigate Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs.  They have been extensively trained in the detection of persons under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Community Services Division

The COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION provides community and school-based services that engage citizens and businesses in public safety activities. As a testament to the success of our Agency’s Community Services programs and its commitment to working closely with citizens and businesses to prevent crime, the CCSO has received the Maryland Governor’s Crime Prevention Award each year since 1988. Captain Caroline Baker is the division’s commander. The division includes two sections: Community Relations and School Resource.

The CCSO’s Community Relations Section, under the command of Lieutenant William Welch, combines a unified effort from the Community Engagement Unit and the Community Policing Unit to plan schedule, and coordinate many events throughout the year. In 2023, these efforts included 107 meetings, 67 presentations, 93 general events, 7 block parties, 33 seasonal events, 58 National Night Out events, 287 business file updates, 48 Residential/Commercial surveys, and 795 Community/Business Contacts.

In addition, the Section provided services in the areas of crime prevention talks, community policing enforcement efforts in the neighborhoods, Project Lifesaver, National Night Out, the County Fair, graduations, and Project Graduation.

The Section’s focus on the community also extends to local businesses. The Community Organizer attends the Charles County Chamber of Commerce monthly meetings. This fosters and strengthens communication with local businesses where they exchange ideas, trends, program successes, and failures, to improve the partnership.

The combined efforts demonstrate the importance the agency puts on community relations. In 2023, the Agency continued growing the grassroots efforts to build positive community/law enforcement relationships through varied outreach and engagement programs.

 

 

 

The Fingerprint Unit, which is also part of the Community Relations section, includes a Civilian Coordinator and Civilian Specialist. Fingerprinting services are offered by appointment only in our office in the St. Charles Towne Center.

The Crisis Negotiations Team is specially trained to bring situations involving barricaded individuals and hostages to peaceful conclusions. Negotiators volunteer for the team in addition to their regular duty assignments.

The School Resource Section, under the command of Lieutenant Clarence Black, facilitates the strong alliance between police and Charles County school students. As part of an agreement with Charles County Public Schools, officers are assigned to each elementary, middle, and high school to provide programs such as Safe Schools, Truth and Consequences, and Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE). The officers host an annual Ladies Leadership Soccer Camp, Badges for Baseball Camp, Cops for Kids Football Camp, Just Say No Camp, a Summer Youth Achievement Program, and We Care, a program designed to reduce teen traffic fatalities by using innovative methods to encourage young motorists to drive safely.

High school students considering a career in law enforcement have an opportunity to learn about the criminal justice system as part of their academic curriculum in the Criminal Justice Program offered through an alliance between the CCSO and Charles County Public Schools. The program is held at North Point High School.

Teen Court provides first-time youth offenders with an opportunity to accept responsibility for traffic offenses, misdemeanor crimes, and cannabis and alcohol offenses without the stigma of a formal criminal record. Youth offenders are represented by youth defense attorneys, prosecuted by youth prosecutors, and sentenced by youth juries. An adult volunteer serves as a judge. The program teaches students about the criminal justice process, helps them resolve problems better, and reduces recidivism. In 2023, Teen Court heard 51 cases and sentenced youth to 2,334 hours of community service.

The School Resource Section Lieutenant also commands the Public Safety Cadets Post, School Crossing Guards, and the Search Management Function for the Agency.

Criminal Investigations Division

The CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION (CID) investigates complex crimes and crime trends. Under the command of Captain Joseph Pratta, the division operates five sections — Persons Crimes, Property Crimes, Forensic Science, Homeland Security, and Narcotics Enforcement.

The Persons Crimes Section, commanded by Lieutenant Andrew Schwab and then Lt. Anthony Celia, following Lt. Schwab’s promotion, includes the Major Crimes, Special Victims, Robbery, and Digital Forensics Units.

The Major Crimes Unit investigates homicides, deaths, shootings, stabbings, life-threatening assaults, cold cases, missing persons, and the rare occurrences of police-involved shootings. Detectives investigated fifteen homicides in 2023, in 12 separate cases. By year’s end, 14 of the 15 cases were closed with arrests; 15 arrests were made. Additionally, detectives made an arrest for a 1979 cold case homicide and the suspect is awaiting trial.

The Special Victims Unit (SVU) investigates rapes, sexual assaults, physical and sexual child abuse, and the exploitation of the elderly. The circumstances of these investigations can be difficult and very emotional for detectives. Of the total cases assigned to SVU, at the year’s end:

  • 67 cases were closed;
  • 82 cases were closed with arrests;
  • 6 cases were closed exceptional;
  • 12 cases were closed unfounded;
  • 60 cases were open/suspended;
  • 8 cases are open warrant service;
  • 43 cases are still active;
  • 67 intakes were accepted;
  • 508 intakes were screened out for various reasons;
  • 387 cyber tips were received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children;
  • Liberty, the Unit’s Comfort K-9, had 18 victim contacts and was invited to many community events.

The Robbery Unit investigates citizen and commercial armed robberies. In 2023, the unit was assigned 56 Robbery investigations. Of those cases, at the end of the year:

  • 24 were closed with arrests;
  • 9 were open/suspended;
  • 0 was unfounded, with 1 case closed exceptional;
  • 18 remained active investigations;
  • 4 were pending warrant service.

The Unit also conducted 43 miscellaneous investigations. These investigations included shoplifting/strong armed robbery, felony assaults, assisting other law enforcement agencies, missing persons, rape, burglary, death investigations, pornography/obscene material, and accidental injuries. Of these miscellaneous investigations 18 were closed with arrests. During the combined 99 investigations conducted by the four-man unit, detectives secured and executed 107 search and seizure warrants.

The Property Crimes Section, commanded by Lieutenant Anthony Celia and then Lieutenant Erica Budd, investigates property and financial crimes; analyzes crime trends; and provides services to crime victims.

In 2023, Financial Crimes investigated 82 cases. Of those, there were 20 arrests and 35 were open/suspended. The Unit served 54 search warrants. Financial Crimes wrote 639 supplemental reports this year.

Auto Theft was assigned 63 cases. 12 arrests were made and 35 were open/suspended.  Additionally, the Auto Theft Detail wrote 99 search warrants. There were 291 stolen motor vehicles. 59 of those vehicles were also recovered in Charles County. 97 of them were recovered in other jurisdictions. In addition to those stolen from Charles County, detectives recovered 174 vehicles that were stolen from another jurisdiction.

The Victim Services Unit works with local, state, and regional agencies including the Center for Abused Persons, the Center for Children, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, and Victims Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) to ensure victims understand their rights and have access to counseling and compensation.  In certain circumstances, the Victim Services Unit also provides support to victims and witnesses on the scene of serious and tragic incidents.

The Forensic Science Section (FSS), managed by Deputy Director Noelle Gehrman, is comprised of a Forensic Science Supervisor, a Quality Assurance Manager, a Forensic Chemist, Forensic Science Technicians, and Latent Print Specialists who provide critical support to patrol officers and detectives by processing crime scenes and analyzing evidence.

In 2023, the FSS was assigned more than 691 cases. Technicians processed more than 98 scenes, including crime scenes, vehicles, and attending autopsies. They investigated approximately 539 cases involving DNA—totaling approximately 3,261 DNA items, and at least 185 cases involving firearms—totaling approximately 231 firearms. During 2023, the Latent Print Specialists worked on 270 latent fingerprint cases resulting in 239 identifications made.  In addition to working active cases, the Latent Specialists also worked additional cases in the Maryland Automated Fingerprint Identification System “Unsolved Latent” queue and on Charles County Cold Cases with latent prints.

In September 2019, the Section began utilizing the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) – a program managed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The NIBIN program automates ballistics evaluations and provides actionable investigative leads in a timely manner by allowing forensic examiners to compare ballistic evidence to crimes throughout the region. Additionally, the FSS assisted allied agencies including St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office, La Plata Police Department, and the ATF in completing NIBIN acquisitions.  In 2023, the FSS had 236 cases with NIBIN entries resulting in 330 acquisitions, 126 leads, and 4 leads warranting microscopic comparison.

The Homeland Security & Intelligence Section, commanded by Lieutenant John Dodge, investigates street gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, extremist activities, threats against public officials, terrorism, and organized crime. The Section receives and disseminates intelligence information and publishes law enforcement bulletins for the CCSO and allied agencies nationwide. An investigator from the Homeland Security & Intelligence Section is also part of the Southern Maryland Information Center (SMIC), a regional operation that facilitates information sharing between the CCSO, the Calvert and St. Mary’s County Sheriffs’ Offices, the Maryland State Police and the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center. Representatives from each agency analyze reports and identify cross-jurisdictional crime trends.

The Crime Analysis Unit collects, analyzes, and disseminates crime data for the CCSO’s CompStat program. CompStat is an analysis-driven method of proactively addressing crime problems. District Commanders use the crime analysis data as part of weekly CompStat meetings to address crime in their districts.

The Firearms Investigations Unit (FIU) is a team of experienced detectives who investigate cases involving the illegal manufacture, sale, and/or possession of firearms, gun trafficking, and other crimes involving firearms. The FIU coordinates their efforts with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is responsible for following-up on leads developed from NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network). The FIU investigated 24 cases in 2023 resulting in the seizure of 17 firearms and 12 arrests. FIU routinely assisted officers from the Patrol Division to further their investigations by assisting with the preparation and execution of search and seizure warrants.

The CCSO employs a full-time Heroin Coordinator as part of the Opioid Addiction Program. In 2023, Charles County received calls for 93 total overdoses related to opiates (compared to 148 in 2022) which resulted in 33 fatalities, compared to 45 in 2022. Officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office administered Narcan 56 times in 2023.

The Narcotics Enforcement Section (NES), commanded by Lieutenant John Elliott, works covertly and aggressively to disrupt drug trafficking in Charles County. The effective disruption of drug trafficking is vital to the reduction of crime overall. The section includes the Major Narcotics Unit and the Narcotics Street Enforcement Unit. In 2023, NES investigations led to the service of 59 search warrants and the seizure of:

  • Narcotics:
    • Cocaine (g): 454 grams
    • Crack (g): 666 grams
    • Fentanyl:  16,599 dosage units and 6,103.6 grams
    • Methamphetamine 827.9 g
    • Marijuana: 95 pounds
    • Marijuana plants: 92 plants
    • Morphine:  631 dosage units
    • Psilocybin (g): 50.32 grams
    • PCP (ml): 6,624 ml
    • Eutylone (g): 287 grams
  • Firearms: 42
  • Currency: $105,288.47
  • Vehicles: 21 vehicles worth $220,373.00
  • CDS Street Value:  $4,100,963.00

Support Services Division

The employees of the SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION, commanded by Captain Louis Schmidt, are the critical link between citizens and the police and between officers and the information they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently.

The Records Management Section, commanded by Deputy Director Amber DiToto, is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the centralized records unit and the public-facing lobby at Sheriff’s Office Headquarters. As the Custodian of Police Records, Deputy Director DiToto holds the obligation to ensure that each record is complete, readable, and accessible for its full retention period and that the proper disposition is carried out after its retention period is fulfilled. This section is tasked with the fulfillment of discovery, dissemination of both in-car camera and body-worn camera footage, NIBRS reporting, processing of expungements, and fulfillment of MPIA requests. This section maintains and monitors police records systems, and oversees the security, storage, retention, retrieval, and disposition activities of all police records.

In 2023, the employees in this section:

  • Handled all initial questions from visitors to the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters;
  • Processed and cataloged 21,744 police reports and supplemental reports (including incidents, accidents, missing persons, and alcohol influence reports);
  • Completed 1,074 expungements;
  • Processed 40,716 citations including ETIX, parking citations, warnings, traffic stop data sheets, and safety equipment repair orders;
  • Recorded 5,579 false alarm notifications;
  • Validated 2,723 METERS entries;
  • Processed and fulfilled 4,183 requests for in-car camera video, body-worn camera footage, and State’s Attorney’s Office discovery,
  • Processed and fulfilled 3,240 other report requests;
  • Processed 15,284 pieces of postal mail; and
  • Completed 831 background record checks.

The Communications Section, commanded by Lieutenant Charles Gass, provides police radio communications to officers and clerical coverage of the district stations in La Plata, Bryans Road, and Waldorf. Each district station is staffed by Station Clerks responsible for answering the CCSO’s non-emergency telephone lines and for helping citizens who visit the district stations. The station clerks’ training prepares them to handle a variety of citizen reports and inquiries, from life-threatening emergencies to the occasional non-police matter. Their primary mission is to obtain clear and concise information and relay that information to Police Communications Officers (PCOs), who dispatch the information to officers conducting patrol or other assignments. In 2023, the Communications Section answered 261,003 calls for service, of which 247,132 were dispatched.

Information Technology Division

The INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION (ITD), led by Director David Hanna, is vital in ensuring the CCSO functions efficiently in our digital world. ITD develops and implements a strategic plan to maintain and evolve systems, infrastructure, physical and virtual servers, enterprise applications, security, cloud, mobile initiatives, training, and future growth to support the objectives and success of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. The highly knowledgeable staff assigned to the Technical Support, Applications Support, and Systems Operations Support Sections maintains hundreds of PCs, printers, networks, complex servers, and software applications. Every function of the CCSO relies on the daily use of computers and digital police databases, and the ITD personnel are always available to ensure law enforcement services are uninterrupted.

In 2023, ITD deployed stationary License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras. These cameras provide critical data that helps the Agency detect, deter, disrupt, and possibly prevent criminal activity from occurring. Also, ITD implemented Body Worn Cameras to a pilot group of sworn officers with the intent of full deployment to every sworn officer in 2024.  In addition, a proactive Early Intervention Analytical interface was implemented with our Computer Aided Dispatch and IA-PRO software which provides a broad range of threshold-based alerts that identify employees whose performance warrants review, improve employee mental health, and encourage positive interactions.

 Special Services Division 

 The SPECIAL SERVICES DIVISION, commanded by Captain Charles Baker, handles judicial matters, ensures the security of the Charles County Courthouse, and maintains the Agency’s fleet, supply stock, and property inventory.

 The Judicial Services Section, commanded by Lieutenant Christopher Cusmano, serves arrest warrants, civil papers, and other legal documents, and addresses child support and domestic violence problems. In 2023, the Judicial Services Section served:

  • 1,596 criminal summonses
  • 1,333 warrants
  • 8,548 criminal summons and warrant service attempts
  • 4,576 civil summonses
  • 2,196 evictions
  • 1,459 protective orders
  • 1,763 peace orders
  • 164 extraditions
  • 6,212 rent notices
  • 52 criminal arrests

The Property Management Section, commanded by Lieutenant Ben Voorhaar, manages the CCSO’s Quartermaster, Fleet Management, Property Held Unit, and Firearms Tracking Operations.

The Courthouse Section, commanded by Lieutenant Scott Grove, contains Volunteers in the Community (VICS) and the Court & Judicial Security Unit. The Court & Judicial Security Unit is responsible for physical security, maintenance of courtroom order, and general law enforcement duties within the Charles County Circuit Court.

 Executive Services Division

The EXECUTIVE SERVICES DIVISION, commanded by Captain Ashley Burroughs, manages Planning and Accreditation, Media Relations, and the Chaplain program and acts as the liaison to the Sheriff.

Planning and Accreditation, managed by Deputy Director Laurie Coyle, writes and maintains the policy contained in the CCSO’s Administrative and Operational Manual and ensures the CCSO maintains its internationally recognized accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The Agency continues to maintain the highest standards. In October 2023, the Commission conducted a web-based assessment of 110 of the standards the CCSO is required to comply with to maintain accreditation and began preparations for re-accreditation in 2024.

The Agency’s Grant Coordinator researches, applies for, and maintains grants the agency uses to fund vital projects necessary to complete our mission. In 2023, the agency was awarded more than $2,597,000 in grants.

The Media Relations Office coordinates the distribution of information about police investigations, crime prevention, and CCSO events to the news media and the public. The office issues regular press releases; manages portions of the content of the CCSO’s website; produces the Annual Report, advertisements, brochures, posters, and fliers; and develops content for and manages the CCSO’s social media accounts. At the end of 2023, the CCSO had more than 115,000 followers combined on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Nextdoor, and TikTok, a 12.98% increase from 2022 when there were 101,000 users.

Local clergymen offer guidance and inspiration to CCSO personnel, their families, and the public through Chaplain Services. Chaplains minister to CCSO personnel in times of personal need or strife and provide comfort to those who are injured or afflicted. They accompany officers who must notify families of the death of a loved one and assist in notifying the family of an officer who was seriously injured or slain. In addition, they play a critical role in acting as a liaison between the Agency and the faith-based community. Chaplains also provide invocations and benedictions at CCSO ceremonies.

Administrative Services Division

The CCSO is committed to maintaining a highly qualified workforce, utilizing financial resources efficiently, and maintaining thorough and accurate record-keeping. The ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION, commanded by Captain Kevin Leahy, is responsible for helping the CCSO meet its strict personnel, budgetary, and records management standards.

The Budgeting Section, managed by Deputy Director Erin Shoemaker, provides leadership on all accounts and projects that affect the budget for the Office of the Sheriff. This section is responsible for preparing the annual budgets and financial analyses of the Sheriff’s Office operations for upper-level management and County agencies. A well-trained team of budget professionals promotes sound budgetary management practices, oversees the budget preparation process, and assists in meeting the CCSO’s personnel and operational needs.

The FY2023 approved budget (7/1/22 through 6/30/23) was $107,992,500. This included the sworn officers continuing with year four (4) of the pay parity as it relates to the Maryland State Police pay scale. Through cooperation and good faith negotiations, sworn officers received a seven (7) percent cost of living increase (COLA) effective July 1, 2022.  A step increase is also included for the eligible sworn officers. The correctional officers and the civilian staff were provided with a merit increase on the employee’s anniversary date, as well as a 2% cost of living (COLA) increase effective July 1, 2022, and an additional 2% COLA on January 1, 2023.

The authorized strength of the Sheriff’s Office is increasing by 9.85 full-time equivalent positions: Two (2) new Station Technician positions (January 2023 hire), a full-time reduced hour FTRH Teen Court Specialist (January 2023 hire), a Digital Forensic Unit Technician (January 2023 hire), a Fleet Specialist position (October 2022 hire), a Forensic Science Supervisor (January 2023 upgrade), three (3) Court Security officers (July 2022 hire), and an Automated Enforcement Unit Supervisor (September 2022 upgrade).

The FY2023 Capital Improvement Program, coordinated with the Department of Public Works, includes funding to begin the Detention Center Pump Station Rehabilitation.

The FY2023 approved budget included $1,872,500 for Sheriff’s Office vehicles and various other equipment.

The Accounting Section, managed by Deputy Director Amy Mayor, promotes sound financial management practices, accounts for agency-owned property, and assists in meeting the operating needs of the Sheriff’s Office. The section is composed of four major areas, which include Accounts Payable, General Accounting, Payroll, and Inmate Accounting.

The Human Resources Section, managed by Deputy Director Brian Daniels, handles administrative personnel tasks for potential and current employees. Once the Human Resources Section determines a job applicant meets the position requirements, the Pre-Employment Unit performs an extensive background investigation of police officer, correctional officer, and civilian applicants. The unit’s mission is to ensure only the applicants with the highest levels of integrity are awarded positions with the CCSO. Background investigations for police officer and correctional officer applicants involve polygraphs, psychological examinations, physical examinations, and drug screenings.

The Pre-Employment/Recruitment Unit seeks the best potential police and correctional officer candidates for employment with the CCSO. The unit attends job fairs and other events to engage those who are interested and to guide those who have decided to pursue careers in law enforcement and promotes and advertises positions within the Agency in various ways. In 2023, the Pre-Employment/Recruitment Unit:

  • Visited high schools in Charles, St. Mary’s, Calvert, and King George Counties for information sessions and to assist in mock interviews;
  • Attended 35 recruiting and hiring events in the local area, in Ocean City, and in the District of Columbia;
  • Held three in-house recruiting events targeted to Females in Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers;
  • Attended 20 community service events to hand out information to the public;
  • Ran advertising campaigns with Comcast Commercial Advertising to include two new commercials;
  • Ran paid ads through local WPGC 95.5 and Star 98.3 radio stations;
  • Attended Career Day events at local elementary/middle schools;
  • Advertised on several college websites for various positions;
  • Attended training events for recruiting and retention;
  • Held in-house training for recruiting officers;
  • Billboard advertised in the Eastern Shore area of MD;
  • Attended multiple Law Enforcement Career Fairs;
  • Updated advertising material for display and handouts

Training Division

The TRAINING DIVISION ensures the CCSO meets state-mandated requirements and provides a variety of other training needs to sworn, civilian, and corrections personnel. Commanded by Captain Bobby Kiesel, the division is comprised of the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy, the Training Unit, the Firearms Instruction Detail, and the Cadet Program.

The Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy (SMCJA) provides entry-level training to all police and correctional officers in Southern Maryland. The SMCJA is funded and governed by the sheriff’s offices in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties, which provide the Academy’s full-time staff of instructors and support personnel.

Once officers have completed entry-level training, they must complete a required number of hours of “in-service” training. The Training Division handles all annual in-service training classes including ethics, bias-based policing, cultural diversity, interacting with persons suspected of having mental health issues, use of force, and other topics mandated by the Training Commission and the Sheriff. The Training Division ensures all required documentation is submitted to the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission (MPCTC) to maintain each officer’s State certification as a sworn police officer.

The Firearms Instruction Detail is comprised of highly skilled instructors who must maintain expert proficiency in firearms. The Chief Firearms Instructor and his staff provide regular firearms training to all new and veteran officers and to Correctional Officers who carry firearms in the performance of their duties.

In addition to the required classroom instruction, officers must complete annual handgun, shotgun, and rifle qualification courses. Officers are also trained in tactical scenarios, responding to active shooters, shooting on the move, shooting behind various types of cover, general marksmanship skills, and various other courses of fire related directly to the performance of duties as a police officer.

People ages 18-21 who want to pursue a career as a CCSO police officer or correctional officer gain invaluable on-the-job experience in the Cadet Program. Cadets perform a variety of duties while learning law enforcement techniques, CCSO policy and procedure, and criminal and traffic law. These duties include assisting all components of the Agency and assisting with the areas of responsibility of the various Divisions. Cadets take part in ride-along operations with Patrol Officers, assisting with the training of officers and acting as role-players, truck and school bus safety inspections, traffic safety operations, and other duties as assigned.

Corrections Division

The responsibility of keeping those held at the Charles County Detention Center (CCDC) secure rests with the CORRECTIONS DIVISION under the command of Director Ryan Ross and Deputy Director Gerald Duffield. It is important to note that 2023 was unique in that there was a change in the command halfway through the year when Brandon Foster, who oversaw Corrections as the Director from 2016 until July 2023, retired after nearly 30 years of service.  At that time, Director Ryan Ross was named Director, and Gerald Duffield was named Deputy Director.  In addition to his new role, Director Ross became the president of the Maryland Correctional Administrators Association and Vice Chairman of the Correctional Training Commission.

The CCDC is a secure facility that opened in 1995 and stretches 140,000 square feet with 219 cells. In 2023, The Corrections Division processed 5416 arrests through intake and booked 1506 individuals into the facility. The CCDC maintained an average daily population of 187 offenders.

The Custody and Security Section, commanded by Captain Tony Oliver, is responsible for the internal and external security of the facilities. This section is comprised of four security teams which are the main operational element of the Corrections Division.

Four Lieutenants, who serve as Shift Commanders, manage the daily security operations of the detention center. The four Shift Commanders are Lieutenant Richard Hulvey, Lieutenant Matthew Becker, Lieutenant Michael Smith, and Lieutenant Matthew Kline.

The Special Services Section, commanded by Captain Matthew Dixon, is responsible for standards and accreditation, training, security maintenance, inmate commissary, and supplies.

The Standards and Accreditation Commander is Lieutenant Matthew Irby. He conducts audits and inspections to ensure the CCDC operates according to the hundreds of standards set by the Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards (MCCS). In 2001, the CCDC became the first detention facility in Maryland to score 100 percent on an MCCS audit and achieved 100 percent scores after audits in 2004, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2022.

In 2023 the CCDC earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care by demonstrating compliance with NCCHC’s nationally recognized standards of care for correctional health services in jails. Accreditation recognizes the Charles County Detention Center’s commitment to providing quality health services for the incarcerated population.

Lieutenant Ryan Taylor serves as the Corrections Division’s Training Commander. He ensures all correctional officers fulfill training obligations mandated by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC).

Lieutenant Kevin Conley serves as the Corrections Division’s Facilities Management Commander. He ensures the facilities are well-maintained and properly supplied. He also works closely with contractors who maintain various systems and equipment within the detention center.

The Support Services Section, commanded by Captain Brian Gardiner, is responsible for central processing and programs and services. This section also oversees the library and the law library.

Lieutenant Jonathan Palmer serves as the Central Processing Commander. He ensures the completeness, accuracy, and security of records and maintains communication with court systems, police agencies, and other correctional facilities. The unit is comprised of Records, Intake, Finance, Transportation, and Court Holding.

Lieutenant James Kelly serves as the Jail Services Commander. He strives to reduce recidivism by offering programs that help individuals re-enter society as productive citizens. The detention center became the sixth branch of the Charles County Public Library, offering library cards and literary programs to those incarcerated. A GED Program, grant-funded certification programs through the College of Southern Maryland, and the annual Re-Entry Fair are highlights from the year.

Lieutenant Stacy Kelly serves as an Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigator to ensure the integrity of Corrections Division personnel.

During the month of April, members of the CCDC attend the Annual Wreath Laying event in Washington, D.C. to honor those officers who died in the line of duty.

 

All Gave Some, Some Gave All

 

Deputy Sheriff Lawrence H. McParlin

Deputy Sheriff Lawrence McParlin is the first Charles County Sheriff’s officer known to have fallen in the line of duty. On May 21, 1918, a short time after becoming a police officer, Deputy Sheriff McParlin and Metropolitan Police Department Officer John Conrad attempted to serve a court summons in Washington, D.C. As they entered the building, the suspect, who was wanted, shot and killed both officers. Learn more about Deputy Sheriff McParlin by reading “A History Lesson.”

 

 

 

Patrolman First Class Dennis L. Riley, #49

On January 11, 1977, PFC Riley was killed in a crash at the intersection of Route 228 and U.S. Route 301 in Waldorf. As he waited for a traffic light to change, a tractor-trailer fuel tanker skidded to a stop and overturned on his cruiser, killing him instantly. PFC Riley was survived by a wife and four children.

 

 

 

 

Sergeant Francis “Leo” Yates, #40

On June 8, 1988, Sgt. Yates suffered a fatal heart attack as he left the Charles County Courthouse. He was survived by a wife and four children.

 

 

 

 

 

Sergeant Joseph E. Stine, Jr., #62

On May 12, 1990, Sgt. Stine arrested a disorderly subject and transported the resisting prisoner to the Charles County Detention Center. Sgt. Stine then collapsed and suffered a fatal heart attack. He was survived by a wife, two children, and three stepchildren.

 

 

 

 

Sergeant Timothy C. Minor, #109

On February 12, 1996, Sgt. Minor was killed when a vehicle pulled in front of his police motorcycle on Route 257 in Newburg as he was responding to a call near Cobb Island. Sgt. Minor was survived by a wife and two children.

 

 

 

 

Station Clerk Willard C. Keesee, #1123

On January 23, 1998, Mr. Keesee was on duty at the Indian Head District Station when he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was survived by two sons and a daughter.

 

 

 

 

 

Corporal Jamel L. Clagett, #447

On December 21, 2014, Cpl. Clagett was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Route 218 near Route 641 in King George, Virginia while returning home from working a midnight shift. He was survived by his mother, two brothers, and a sister.