Prince George’s Police Chief Roberto Hylton was ousted from his post Monday, the highest-profile leader to be dismissed hours into the new administration of County Executive Rushern Baker. Just moments after being sworn in, Baker replaced Hylton with longtime police official Mark Magaw, who will serve as interim chief until a permanent replacement is named. Magaw, the deputy chief of the Bureau of Strategic Management, will oversee a 1,500-member police department tainted by a federal probe into corruption by county officials.
Hylton maintained in recent days that he had not been asked to leave despite rampant speculation to the contrary.
Many community groups, including CASA de Maryland, implored Baker to keep Hylton as chief, citing the dip in crime statistics under his watch. But a number of incidents have plagued his tenure recently.
In addition to the three police officers charged in the corruption investigation tied to former County Executive Jack Johnson, a video emerged of three county police officers beating a University of Maryland student after a basketball game in March, which federal officials are investigating.
Fire Chief Eugene Jones also was dismissed, and Marc Bashoor was named acting fire chief. Baker announced eight interim appointments and two permanent appointments of senior staff and county agency heads.
Besides chief of staff and deputy chief administrative officer, all the positions require approval from the County Council.
Baker has scheduled separate meetings Tuesday with police commanders, fire and rescue workers and corrections officials.
Hylton did not return calls for comment Monday. – Brian Hughes
