UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — A Prince George’s County police officer took inappropriate photos of two women during traffic stops and took similar photos of two more women in the past year, according to county prosecutors.
Officer James Sims has been indicted on four counts of visual surveillance with prurient interest and two counts of misconduct in office, the state’s attorney’s office announced. A grand jury returned the charges Thursday.
Sims has worked for the department for six years and is currently suspended with pay.
The investigation into Sims began last month after a police officer from another local department reported that Sims took “up skirt” photos of her at an athletic retailer in Bowie while she was off-duty.
The female officer realized what Sims was doing and confronted him. She watched him climb into a marked Prince George’s County police cruiser, said John Erzen, spokesman for the county state’s attorney’s office.
The two misconduct charges stem from the traffic stops.
“It’s a sad day to come before you and to discuss the indictment of a Prince George’s County police officer for conduct that if proven true I find disgusting,” said Police Chief Hank Stawinski.
Sims was suspended the same day the female officer lodged her complaint. He had been assigned to the patrol bureau.
Police said the investigation continues and more charges are possible.
