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The small town of Ridgely, Maryland, has suspended its entire police force without explanation pending the results of an ongoing investigation, local officials say. The dramatic move has led to uncertainty and concern within the town’s tight-knit community.
According to its website, the Ridgely Police Department comprises six officers. All of them were suspended with pay following a decision by the town’s three-member commission. The Office of State Prosecutor, tasked with investigating public misconduct among other duties, has taken up the case, though the specifics of the investigation remain under wraps.
The decision was announced in a statement on the town’s website, and Ridgely Director of Operations David Crist provided no further details on the matter to the media, leaving residents to speculate.
“What’s very concerning is that they didn’t communicate with us in an honest and open way,” Laura Cline, a longtime resident of Ridgely, told the Associated Press. “Treat us with respect. We’re adults — thinking, rational adults who deserve the truth.”
The suspension has also left a void in local law enforcement, now temporarily filled by the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police. While officials assure the community that public safety needs will be met, there is apprehension about potential delays in response times and the broader implications of having no local police presence.
This suspension follows previous controversies involving the Ridgely Police Department, including the agency’s connection to the tragic death of Anton Black in 2018, an incident that has since become a part of the broader national dialogue on policing and community relations. In addition, the department has hired officers with concerning backgrounds in the past year, including an officer who had a record of previous misconduct allegations in Delaware, court records showed. The officer later resigned.
Like many law enforcement agencies nationwide, the rural department has been burdened with recruitment issues.
Current Chief Jeff Eckrich, who joined the Ridgely force after a lengthy career with the Prince George’s County Police Department, now finds his department under scrutiny.
Caroline County Sheriff David Baker has sought to alleviate community concerns, committing to maintaining law and order in Ridgely during this interim period.
Yet, the situation has undoubtedly stirred a sense of unease. The town’s 1,600 residents and business owners are continuing to seek transparency.
“It doesn’t add up,” said resident Gennie Woo. “Everybody is skeptical about what happened. We just want to know how and why.”
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