MCPS

County Releases Body Cam Footage of Incident Involving Police And a Five-Year-Old Boy From January, 2020

By Patrick Herron

County Releases Body Cam Footage of Incident Involving Police And a Five-Year-Old Boy From January, 2020

Earlier today the Montgomery County Police released bodycam footage of a Januray 2020 incident that involved Montgomery County Police officers and a 5-year-old student who fled his school after allegedly getting into a fight.

In the video, officers are seen screaming at the child, who at one point was put in handcuffs.

The mother of the child has since filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County, Montgomery County Public Schools, and the Montgomery County Police Department.

According to the MCPD, “a thorough investigation was conducted of the entire event. The internal investigation has concluded. The findings of this internal investigation, as in all internal matters, are confidential under Maryland law. Both officers remain employed by the Montgomery County Department of Police. Due to pending litigation, the Department has no further comment.”

Board of Education President Brenda Wolff released a statement along with Superintendent Smith saying, “It was extremely difficult for us to watch the video of the incident involving a 5-year-old student at East Silver Spring Elementary School. Our heart aches for this student. There is no excuse for adults to ever speak to or threaten a child in this way.”

County Executive Marc Erlich released a statement in which he said, “our police officers are not social workers, psychologists, or therapists and should not be giving advice or direction on parenting. Police duties should end as soon as school personnel are present to take over care of a child.”

Several other council members took to social media to share their thoughts on the incident.