The Maryland Fraternal Order of Police takes seriously the health and safety precautions in place to protect officers and citizens. While the FOP encourages officers to get vaccinated, the Maryland-National Capital Park Police’s termination of three officers for circumstances surrounding the medical and religious objections to their COVID-19 vaccine without affording them their due process rights is unethical and unlawful.
Every newscast leads with another story about a shooting or lawbreaking in our area. Yet, at a time when violent crimes are at near-record highs, officer recruitment and morale is at historic lows, and COVID protocols are being rescinded, hardworking officers are being terminated and their retirement eliminated without proper due process rights, including a hearing, as would be required through the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights. We call on the Maryland-National Capital Park Police leadership and local officials in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to stand up for our officers and the citizens we seek to serve.
Clyde Boatwright
President
