Suspended Prince George's County Police Officer First Class James Sims. (Photo: PGPD)UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (July 22, 2016)—A suspended Prince George's County Police Officer was indicted by a grand jury Thursday. Police Officer First Class James Sims faces two counts of misconduct in office and four counts of visual surveillance with prurient intent. He's accused of taking inappropriate pictures of women while on-duty during traffic stops and while off-duty. The investigation into Sims is ongoing. Additional charges are possible.
On June 1, a citizen filed a complaint against Sims alleging the officer took inappropriate photos of her at a store in Bowie. The Internal Affairs Division immediately opened an investigation into the officer. POFC Sims' police powers were also suspended on June 1, 2016. The State's Attorney's Office was immediately notified that day as well. The investigation has revealed Sims took inappropriate photos of female drivers with his phone on at least two traffics stop in the past year.
Police Chief Hank Stawinski issued this statement following the grand jury indictment:
"We immediately took this case to the State's Attorney's Office in anticipation of criminal charges being placed against POFC Sims. I find the conduct alleged to be disgusting. Policing is an honorable profession. One of service. One built on trust. If proven true, he will have betrayed the trust of this community."
Sims joined the police department in 2010. He's assigned to the Bureau of Patrol, District I.
Anyone who has additional information on this investigation or this officer is asked to please call our Internal Affairs Division at 301-856-2660.