Police Academy

The Bridge Officers of the Wellwood Yacht Club are pleased to announce the Wedding of their Rear Commodore, Captain Eileen Law, of Kennett Square, PA, to their Secretary, Captain Stephen E. Stewart, of Port Deposit, on July 7th. The Nautical Wedding was held on the beach under an Arbor of Jasmine and Ivy at their Marina, McDaniel Yacht Basin, in North East, MD. The Bride is a Private Detective & President of CIA, Inc., a full service Detective Agency with...

Demetrius Fortson considered becoming a police officer after he graduated from high school. Instead, he joined the Marine Corps and then worked for years as a correctional officer. Now, at age 40, Fortson is set to join the Howard County Police Department after graduating from the police academy as the oldest recruit in his class. Fortson, a member of the 30th class to graduate from the academy, said the training was physically and psychologically demanding but that being around the other recruits, many of whom were much younger, was "motivating, and it kept [me]

In Baltimore CountyHead of police academy plans to retire in JuneTOWSON -- Joseph N. McGowan, who has headed the Baltimore County Police Academy for almost a decade, will retire, police said yesterday.McGowan, 73, joined the academy in 1990 after a career with Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., said police spokesman Bill Toohey. McGowan had worked with county police in volunteer capacities before heading the academy, which is on the Dundalk campus of Community College of Baltimore County.His retirement takes effect in June.

A rape case against a former Maryland State Police trooper was dismissed yesterday after a judge suppressed the trooper's statements.A police report states that Jonathan M. Pilch, 26, of Myersville told investigators the alleged victim did not consent to sexual intercourse after a December party celebrating Pilch's graduation from the police academy.But Baltimore County Circuit Judge Thomas J. Bollinger issued a written ruling yesterday that Pilch's statements were "not free and voluntary."

In Baltimore CityBody of man found floating in harbor is apparent suicideA man's body was found floating in the Inner Harbor in South Baltimore yesterday and police said he may have committed suicide by jumping into the water with a backpack filled with rocks strapped to his back.Police said a man working near the water's edge in the 100 block of Harbor View Drive off the 1200 block of Key Highway spotted the body about 7 a.m. and called police.A police marine unit removed the body from the water and it was taken to the state medical examiner's office for an autopsy.

The Maryland State Police have fired a probationary trooper charged with raping a female acquaintance after a party celebrating his graduation from the academy, a spokesman said yesterday.Jonathan M. Pilch, 26, of Myersville was fired Wednesday after an internal investigation of the criminal charges by Maryland State Police officers, said Capt. Gregory M. Shipley.Pilch is charged with second-degree rape, a felony, and his trial has been scheduled for early next month."The information contained in that investigation was cause enough to terminate him," Shipley said.

In Baltimore CountyAlcohol ruled out as factor in crash that killed fourTOWSON -- Toxicology tests have shown that alcohol was not a factor in a weekend car accident that left four dead, including three high school students, county police said yesterday.Speed and driver error are believed to have caused the collision Friday night in Glen Arm, police spokesman Bill Toohey said.Wayne Steven Weller Jr., a Loch Raven High School senior who would have graduated on Saturday, was killed instantly when his car swerved into the path of a car driven by John Howard Edwards, who also died in the accident.

In Baltimore CountyBail set for man accused of robbing bank on York RoadTOWSON -- Bail was set at $100,000 for a man accused of robbing a First Mariner bank on York Road, officials said yesterday.Andre Swann, 37, of the 800 block of W. Lombard St. was charged late Wednesday with armed robbery and handgun violations. County police suspect he was the lone gunman in a bank robbery Wednesday morning that occurred as an employee unlocked the bank on York Road."Some evidence was recovered in his car," said Cpl. Vickie Warehime of the county Police Department.

Quentin Henson, 14, had just been informed that the driver of the blue pickup truck in front of him was an armed robbery suspect. Henson cautiously stepped from the Maryland State Police car and approached the driver sitting in the truck."

These 13 officers graduated from the Howard County Police Department's 21st academy class during a ceremony last night at River Hill High School: Ronald Baker, Mark Duncan, Norma Hurley, Joseph King, Jerome Linkins, Andrew Lux, Heather McPherson, John Mooney, Matthew Mulholland, William Rafferty, Thomas Rukamp, Rocco Sovero and Chad Zirk.

For the first time, Annapolis police will offer a course for area residents that provides a peek into the department's operations, joining police agencies around the country that have held such programs. A blend of police information, community relations and ties with other agencies, the Annapolis Citizens Police Academy is a 12-hour course that will begin Sept. 29 and run for six weeks. "There are a lot of people out there who have misconceptions about what police do, why we do it and how we do it," said Lt. William Powell.

A Baltimore police officer who overcame the odds growing up in West Baltimore to patrol his old neighborhood, was indicted Friday on charges of insurance fraud and attempted felony theft, the state attorney general said. Hikeen D. Crampton Sr., 30, of Rosedale, is accused of fraudulently claiming in late 2008 that his Cadillac Escalade had been stolen when he had traded it in for another vehicle. The indictment follows an investigation by the Regional Auto Theft Task Force, the insurance fraud division of the Maryland Insurance Administration and the attorney general's office.

While walking through a parking lot in the middle of the day, Christine Sullivan and her 59-year-old mother, Patricia Sullivan, spotted a man with a wrench trying to break into a car. The man paused before pulling out a gun and firing at them, while an accomplice darted out from another car and also started shooting. The mother-and-daughter duo didn't flinch. Clutching Glock pistols, they fired back. The older Sullivan managed to unload six shots - most of them into a nearby car. "I only hit windshields," said Patricia Sullivan sheepishly.

A rookie Baltimore police officer was in good condition at Maryland Shock Trauma Center after he was shot in the leg about 1 a.m. yesterday in Southwest Baltimore, police said. The wounding of Officer Pedro Perez, 24, who was shot in the 100 block of Palormo Ave., underscores the importance of a gun task force established last spring, Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III said during a news conference yesterday at police headquarters. The task force, which is investigating ways to target gun offenders and curb illegal gun trafficking, is part of a broad-based collaboration of local, state and federal authorities encouraged by Gov. Martin O'Malley as part of his administration's focus on fighting gun crime.

Michael Pickett and Frank Moran III served in Iraq together in the same Marine Corps unit. When they returned home from their deployment, they applied to the Howard County Police Academy together. Seven months later, they were sworn in as officers on the same stage. The department welcomed 15 new officers into the force Wednesday night at the graduation of its 31st Police Academy, held at Centennial High School in Ellicott City. The academy was the first class to train at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center, the $35 million county police and fire training facility in Marriottsville that is expected to be completed this summer.

Cecil College is sponsoring the eighth annual Stuff-a-Truck event to gather donations for the needy during the holiday season. All contributions go to Cecil County families in need and are distributed through the Family Education Center and the Ray of Hope Mission Center. The truck will be at the Wal-Mart in Elkton from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; the American Legion hall in Rising Sun from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and on Cecil College's North East campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 28. Suggested items include unopened children's toys, baby formula, diapers, baby wipes, new winter wear for children, bleach, washcloths, towels, liquid hand soap, kitchen sponges, infant clothing and cleaning supplies.

Mission accomplished The victory of Navy's football team over Notre Dame earned midshipmen at the Naval Academy a day off from class. Spirituality center Elwood "Bunky" Barlett, the Mega Millions winner and Wiccan high priest, plans to build a center in Baltimore County where spirituality, religions and nature meet. Verdict in dragging death A Baltimore County judge found the driver of a truck guilty of manslaughter in the death of a toddler whose stroller was dragged nearly a mile.

The Bridge Officers of the Wellwood Yacht Club are pleased to announce the Wedding of their Rear Commodore, Captain Eileen Law, of Kennett Square, PA, to their Secretary, Captain Stephen E. Stewart, of Port Deposit, on July 7th. The Nautical Wedding was held on the beach under an Arbor of Jasmine and Ivy at their Marina, McDaniel Yacht Basin, in North East, MD. The Bride is a Private Detective & President of CIA, Inc., a full service Detective Agency with...

The Maryland State Police announced Monday the first major promotion and transfer lists by recently appointed superintendent Col. Terrence B. Sheridan, moves that focus on troopers entering direct law enforcement roles and putting commanders in barracks in or near their counties of residence. Of the 23 state police barracks, 15 are now commanded by lieutenants who live in the county where they serve. Five commanders live in a contiguous county and three others live no more than two counties from their service area, Sheridan said in a prepared statement.

Demetrius Fortson considered becoming a police officer after he graduated from high school. Instead, he joined the Marine Corps and then worked for years as a correctional officer. Now, at age 40, Fortson is set to join the Howard County Police Department after graduating from the police academy as the oldest recruit in his class. Fortson, a member of the 30th class to graduate from the academy, said the training was physically and psychologically demanding but that being around the other recruits, many of whom were much younger, was "motivating, and it kept [me]