A police officer from Prince George’s County, Maryland has been suspended, following the circulation of a viral video. The widely-shared video appears to show the uniformed officer opening the door of his police cruiser for a woman and then joining her in the backseat.
The incident was captured by Nelson Ochoa. He was enjoying a Labor Day soccer game at Southlawn Park in Oxon Hill when he noticed the police cruiser pull up.
Intrigued, Ochoa began recording the scene. His footage shows a car pulling up, a young woman exiting, and then both the woman and the officer entering the back of the police cruiser.
The two appear to embrace and kiss before getting into the vehicle.
An investigation has opened after a video of an officer wildin' out appeared online. 👮🏻♂️‼️
The officer is from the Price George County police department, in Maryland. pic.twitter.com/YTvfpBV8Ov
— DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) September 5, 2023
This unexpected event has led to a flurry of questions and speculation about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The video has been viewed countless times, with viewers expressing their concerns and opinions on social media.
Aisha Braveboy, the state’s attorney for Prince George’s County, confirmed she was aware of the video and it is currently under investigation by the Internal Affairs division of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
Braveboy emphasized the details surrounding the incident are still unclear, including whether there was any violation of departmental policy or law.
Braveboy also highlighted the limitations of video footage, stating such recordings can be “somewhat one-dimensional.” She pointed out that viewers of the video are not privy to the emotions, conversations, or circumstances that occurred off-camera.
This underscores the importance of police departments having clear guidelines on how officers should conduct themselves while in uniform and using their cruisers.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Braveboy stated there is currently no reason to believe that any criminal activity took place. However, the incident prompted a broader discussion about police conduct and the use of surveillance in public spaces.
Maryland Prince George Police Officer suspended after viral video shows him entering the back seat of a cruiser with a woman while he was in uniform.
The officer has been identified as Francesco Marlett. pic.twitter.com/LFZhRGnU7l
— News Alphas (@NewsAlphas) September 6, 2023
The Prince George’s Police Department also acknowledged the incident and launched an investigation to determine the circumstances. They announced this via a tweet, promising to release additional information once the investigation is complete and the facts have been confirmed.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the power of technology in today’s society. With the ubiquity of smartphones and the ease of sharing content online, anyone can become a witness and share incidents that might otherwise go unnoticed.
