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‘A lazy cop’: Maryland police officer allegedly faked traffic stops to avoid service calls
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Baltimore police officer Dequwan Houchins is indicted for falsely reporting traffic stops while sitting idle in his patrol car, facing charges including false entry and misconduct that could result in up to 12 years in jail and fines.
- An undercover investigation revealed Houchins made nine legitimate stops but fabricated eight others, including an instance when he was allegedly ordering a smoothie instead of performing duties, causing other officers to cover his calls.
- Baltimore officials condemned Houchins’s actions as a serious breach of public trust, with Police Commissioner Richard Worley highlighting the broader issue of misconduct affecting department performance.
- Houchins denied the allegations and expressed confusion over the indictment, while recent months have seen multiple Baltimore officers indicted for various forms of misconduct, including falsifying work hours and submitting fraudulent sick leave.
