Montgomery Co. officer indicted after holding cell camera captures prisoner assault

While many of us hand out valentines Feb. 14, Montgomery County police officers will hand out tickets to distracted drivers caught holding cellphones.(WTOP/Kate Ryan)

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.”

Jack Moore

Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up