Man led officers on chase after search yielded drugs
U.S. Park Police chased down a veteran D.C. cop who was suspected of smoking marijuana in Rock Creek Park, authorities said.
Henry Smallwood, 47, was charged with possession of marijuana, fleeing law enforcement and reckless driving, police said.
Around 10 a.m., Park Police said they got a call of two suspicious males in the woods in the picnic area near the Fitzgerald Tennis Stadium. Police spotted the two men and smelled marijuana. The officers approached the men and questioned them. During a search, the park police found marijuana, officials said.
One of the men, Smallwood, took off running to the parking lot, hopped into his silver Buick sedan and sped off and a chase ensued, police said. Park Police followed Smallwood on a short chase to the 1400 block of Rock Creek Ford Road Northwest, where he jumped out of his vehicle and led police on another foot pursuit into the woods before he was arrested.
“It is [embarrassing],” said D.C. police Officer Israel James, a department spokesman.
Smallwood, who worked in the 6th police district, has been placed on administrative leave until the case is resolved, James said.
Smallwood will turn over his badge and gun. He will continue to be paid but could lose his pension if he is convicted.
The other suspect was arrested at the park without incident.
Anyone with information about this incident can call the Park Police at 202-610-8737.
Smallwood has compiled a mixed record on the force. In 1995, he was charged with assault but the charges were immediately dropped, court records said. His landlord has sued him each of the last three years over failing to pay rent, court records show. In 2000, Smallwood was among dozens of police officers awarded for their work on the force.
