By Phil Yacuboski and Steve Fermier
WBAL
ANNAPOLIS — A call for a “top to bottom” investigation of the Anne Arundel County Police Department by the feds.
A packed crowd gathered at the Arundel Center in Annapolis Monday night to hear the testimony of Deputy Police Chief Emerson Davis. He was there to tell what he knew about the police department’s involvement surrounding the indictment of County Executive John Leopold.
What did he know?
“That’s the million dollar question,” said Davis. “That’s what everyone wants to know and that’s what we’re trying to find out.”
Davis told the Council that he watched as Chief James Teare shredded a file that was compiled against a former county employee. Davis said the file was not complied in a specific criminal investigation.
Davis also has called on the Department of Justice to investigate the police department.
Davis is to retire in a few months.
Leopold was indicted last month. The grand jury paperwork says he used his police detail to collect information about political rivals, act as lookouts while he had sex in a car and change his catheter bag while recovered from back surgery.
Leopold has denied the claims.
“I think the public deserves no less from the legislative branch of this government,” said Councilman Jamie Benoit. “It’s clear the county executive is either unwilling or incapable of getting to the bottom of this.”
Last Monday, the County Council subpoenaed Police Chief James Teare to talk about the investigation and while his lawyer initially fought the subpoena, he did show but said little.
Also at the meeting Monday night, Councilman Jerry Walker introduced a resolution, calling for Leopold to suspend Chief Teare; it will be voted on in two weeks.
“The police chief doesn’t want to talk about this in a clear, transparent and open manner,” said Benoit.
Reprinted with permission from WBAL