WASHINGTON — A grand jury has indicted a Montgomery County police officer on charges of misconduct in office and second-degree assault after authorities say a holding cell camera recorded him assaulting a handcuffed prisoner last summer.
Officer Devon Hitson, 32, was caught on camera assaulting the prisoner — whose hands were handcuffed behind his back — inside a holding cell in Germantown on Aug. 1, 2017, according to a police news release.
Authorities said they reviewed the video footage after Hitson filled out a “use of force” report.
Hitson had his police powers revoked in August 2017 when the department began conducting a criminal investigation into his conduct.
The department turned over its findings to the state’s attorney’s office, which called a grand jury. The grand jury indicted the officer after watching the holding cell video, police said.
Following the criminal case, the department’s internal affairs division will also conduct its own investigation. Hitson remains on paid, administrative leave.
“Earning and maintaining the public’s trust is critical to the success of every police department,” Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger said in a statement. “When an officer abuses his or her authority, he or she must be held accountable.”
