Charles County, MD – In a commitment to transparency and accountability, Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry is informing the public of recent actions involving a Charles County Sheriff’s officer.

On June 11, Sgt. Robert Smith, of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, was suspended with pay after the Agency was informed of charges being placed against him by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation stemmed from an off-duty incident in Mechanicsville, MD. On July 25, Sgt. Smith pled guilty to one count of driving while impaired in St. Mary’s County District Court. In accordance with Agency policy, upon learning of the investigation, the CCSO’s Office of Professional Responsibility launched an administrative investigation, which will be concluded now that the criminal proceedings have been resolved.

Sheriff Berry stated, “This officer’s actions are contrary to the values and professionalism of the Agency. I want to make our community aware of this incident and reassure them that we take these situations seriously and cooperate fully with investigating agencies. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is committed to maintaining the public’s trust.”

CONTACT: Diane Richardson
Media Relations Office
(301) 609-6557 or (240) 682-1658

The CCSO was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) in 2001 and has since earned the highest rating of Excellence. Established in 1658, the CCSO is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States. For more information, visit www.ccso.us.

Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of a person responsible for a crime in Charles County. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Anyone with information about an unsolved crime or the location of a fugitive may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app, which can be found in the Android Store and Apple Store by searching P3tips. For more information about the P3 program, click on this link: www.p3intel.com.