Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
UPPER MARLBORO, MD — (WMAL) Two Prince George’s County Police officers wound up on the wrong side of the law. Cpl. George Merkel and Officer William Diaz were both indicted Thursday on charges of misconduct in office for unrelated incidents.
“It is very concerning anytime an officer who is entrusted to protect and serve the citizens of Prince George’s County steps outside of their duties and betrays the public’s trust,” Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said in a statement.
According to Alsobrooks, Merkel assaulted a homeless woman in Lanham in September after he found her sleeping on a sidewalk outside an empty store. Alsobrooks said Merkel yelled curses at the women, pulled her woman her to her feet by her ears and hit her head. Two officers who responded to his call reported him. In addition to the misconduct in office charge, Merkel was also indicted on second degree-assault charges.
Officer William Diaz was charged with misconduct in office and obstructing a police investigation. While he was serving on a prostitution task force, Alsobrooks said Diaz warned working women about stings while he was serving on a prostitution task force. He’s also accused of soliciting a prostitute for sex while on duty.
“While these instances are troubling to all of us, I must reiterate that the vast majority of our officers carry out their duties with the highest level of integrity and professionalism,” Alsobrooks said.
County police brought both cases to the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Copyright 2016 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (photo: Prince George’s County Police Department)
