Suspended Officer Found Guilty Of Domestic Assault: Officials

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — An Anne Arundel County jury found a suspended Prince George's County Police Department officer guilty of domestic assault, officials announced June 8. Authorities identified the convicted man as 32-year-old Steven Davis of Laurel. An incident report mentioned that the jury returned guilty verdicts on charges of:

• One count of first-degree assault
• One count of handgun use in the commission of a felony
• Three counts of second-degree assault
• Three counts of reckless endangerment in the domestic assault of his girlfriend

Davis could head to prison for up to 70 years, the press released continued. The handgun charge carries a mandatory sentence of 5 years, the write-up indicated.

Actual sentences tend to be less than the maximums. Prosecutors noted that a judge will sentence Davis this summer.

Officials added that the assault happened on Sept. 24, 2019. Davis and his unidentified girlfriend got into an argument that day heading home from a Washington, D.C. pool party, authorities explained. The confrontation continued in Davis' Laurel home, the report informed.

The release alleged that Davis:

• Dragged the victim out of the shower
• Bit her chin
• Head-butted her in the nose, breaking it and causing it to bleed
• Grabbed his departmental-issued handgun
• Struck her in the head and threatened to kill her with it

The write-up shared that the victim immediately went to an unnamed hospital for treatment to her nose and ear, which was injured in the blow.

Officials clarified that the victim did not report the assault to police, but she told a friend. That friend then called law enforcement, authorities advised.

Officials wrote that the victim soon took back the allegations and became uncooperative. Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess detailed that the victim eventually cooperated and testified before the jury.

"Many victims of domestic violence have a reluctance to come forward," Leitess said in the release. "I am thankful that the victim was able to overcome the pressure to not cooperate and that the jury held the defendant accountable. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please tell a trusted family member or friend or call the Sexual Assault Crisis Center and Hotline at 410-222-6800."

Retirements And Hires

PGPD Interim Chief Hector Velez retired on May 7. Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks broke the news on April 23 when she announced that police Lt. Edward Finn was arrested in a separate case.

The most recent investigation came weeks after Aziz, took over on May 9. Aziz is a reform-minded official and a former deputy chief from the Dallas Police Department in Texas.

"I share the disappointment and anger of many in our community regarding yet another negative incident within our Department," Alsobrooks said in a press release after Finn's arrest. "Unfortunately, the issues that we are confronting are systemic issues that did not start under my Administration, but I am going to do everything in my power to ensure that they end under my watch."

Controversies

Aziz took over a squad that has seen several controversies over the past 16 months. Former Chief Hank Stawinski resigned in June 2020 after several Black and Brown officers filed a lawsuit against the department. Their suit alleged that the agency had for years discriminated against officers from racial minorities.

That litigation came months after police accused an officer of fatally shooting a man in handcuffs. The killing eventually led to the indictment of Cpl. Michael Owen and a $20 million settlement with the family of the victim, William Howard Green.

Within the last year, officers have also faced charges of

• Shooting and tasing a dog
• Assaulting a teenager
• Evading taxes
• Sexually abusing a minor
• Attempting rape
• Sharing confidential information with a sex worker

"I want to thank the many men and women of our Police Department who honorably serve our community each day," Alsobrooks continued. "The actions of officers like Lieutenant Finn do not reflect their desire to serve our residents and continue working hard to build trust between our Department and the community."

Police Reform

Alsobrooks hired Aziz about two months after she adopted sweeping police reform. The new policies will make more police records public, increase officer oversight and emphasize community engagement.

The county executive's overhaul started in July of 2020, when she created the Police Reform Work Group. The task force responded to protesters calling for social justice after George Floyd, a Black man, died while a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck last May.

By December, the reform committee recommended 50 modifications to the police department. Alsobrooks adopted 35 as written, amended 11 and struck four.

"We have the fresh start we need to continue moving forward with making our Department a model for the nation," Alsobrooks concluded.

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