Promotions abounded in the Prince George’s County Police Department as Police Chief Roberto Hylton gave an enormous pat on the back to more than 200 department members for their role in bringing crime back to levels not seen since the 1970s.
“I’m honored to be here to congratulate each one of you,” Hylton said during a promotion ceremony at Charles H. Flowers High School. “Our crime rate is the lowest it has been in 35 years, and you all have played an integral part in making this happen.”
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Those promoted included two lieutenant colonels, nine majors, 12 captains, 18 lieutenants, 29 sergeants, 37 corporals, and 139 police officers first class.
Throughout 2009, as crime steadily dropped, Hylton touted the county’s community policing approach as the driving force behind safer streets in Prince George’s. Community policing encourages officers to take time on their beats to get to know the residents who they serve so that they’re in close contact with the neighborhoods they cover. Hylton made community policing a mainstay of his policing approach when he took over the department a little more than a year ago.
When Hylton announced 2009 crime statistics earlier this month, he commended department members for living up to the “accountability and high expectations” he held for them.
With Thursday’s promotions, Hylton has followed up the support he has received for his motto of “One Team, One Mission, Fight Crime” with higher ranks and the increased salaries that follow.
“We will continue to show our citizens that maintaining safety and order to create livable communities will be job number one,” Hylton said.
