Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on Police Video

For Immediate Release: Friday, March 26, 2021

I found the video of the incident involving the 5-year-old child difficult to watch, and it does not reflect the training and expectations we have for our police officers. I have spoken with our Chief and directed him to revisit our training around how our officers are expected to interact with children. 

I also have asked that we add training to help officers reflect on their own views and experiences of how children should be treated. This is consistent with our instructions to officers that they must leave their personal views at home when they are performing their duties as a police officer.

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. 

Because the county is in a lawsuit, I am limited in what I can say, and I am not able to discuss disciplinary outcomes which have been taken.

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