Former Officer Guilty Of Misconduct In Office For Shooting At Car

Bowie MD

06 December, 2021

11:58 AM

Description

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A former Bowie police lieutenant has been found guilty of misconduct in office for shooting at a vehicle as it was speeding off from an incident August 2018. According to the Prince George's County Police Department, former Lt. Ernest Stanley attempted to pull over a vehicle with two people inside. Stanley was off duty and leaving work, but still in uniform. He called for backup, but instead of waiting for other officers to arrive, he approached the vehicle. When Stanley ordered the driver out of the vehicle, he took off. Stanley then fired three rounds from his department-issued weapon and hit the back of the vehicle once. "I am pleased with the guilty verdict in this case. Police officers are sworn to operate with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity and to protect the public," State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy said in a statement. "Lt. Stanley made a decision to fire his weapon at a fleeing vehicle. There was no imminent threat to the officer or the community, and he put members of the community in danger and that was unacceptable. We are pleased with the judge's decision in this case." Stanley will be sentenced at 9 a.m. March 1.