Office of the Inspector General Finds Senior MCFRS Employee Violated the Department’s Code of Conduct

In a news release on Friday, Montgomery County Maryland Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi
announced the release of a new Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Memorandum of Investigation, Misconduct by a Senior Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) Employee, detailing the results of an OIG investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct by a senior MCFRS employee (not named).

The OIG investigation revealed that in 2021 the subject employee violated the “hands-off” and decorum provisions of MCFRS Executive Regulation 22-00AM Code of Ethics and On-Duty Personal Conduct.

The investigation also revealed that during a
different event in 2019 the subject employee used language that violated the decorum provisions
of MCFRS Executive Regulation 22-00AM Code of Ethics and On-Duty Personal Conduct. The
results of the investigation have been referred to the county’s Chief Administrative Officer for
further action.

The Memorandum of Investigation, sent to Montgomery County Chief Administrative Officer Richard S. Madaleno, can be seen below:

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) recently concluded an investigation regarding allegations of misconduct by a senior Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) employee. The investigation was predicated on a complaint received on January 2, 2024, alleging several incidents of inappropriate conduct by the subject employee.

Our investigation revealed that in 2021 the subject employee violated the “hands-off” and decorum provisions of MCFRS Executive Regulation 22-00AM Code of Ethics and On-Duty Personal Conduct. The investigation also revealed that during a different event in 2019 the subject employee used language that violated the decorum provisions of MCFRS Executive Regulation 22-00AM Code of Ethics and On-Duty Personal Conduct.

MCFRS Executive Regulation 22-00AM Code of Ethics and On-Duty Personal Conduct states that on-duty personnel must “…behave in a professional manner that reflects favorably on the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service…be courteous and respectful toward the public, each other… maintain proper decorum and behavior… refrain from any horseplay that a reasonable person should know may injure someone…behave with professionalism regarding any physical contact. Unwelcome or offensive touching is prohibited.”

Additionally, MCFRS Executive Regulation 22-00AM Code of Ethics and On-Duty Personal Conduct states that on-duty personnel must not “refer to or speak to any other person or group in a way that may reasonably be construed as demeaning or constituting discrimination… engage in any unbecoming conduct…use violent, insolent, or obscene language or behavior at any time.”

I am referring this matter to you for whatever action you deem appropriate.

Please contact me with any questions.