Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson has chosen as his deputy director of homeland security a police corporal who was temporarily suspended in January after an off-duty scuffle and is facing an internal investigation, authorities said.
In an announcement posted on the county's Web site this week, Johnson (D) named Cpl. Keith Washington, 43, to the newly created job, touting his "extensive military background," knowledge of anti-terrorism tactics and community ties. Washington is already serving in the $73,000-a-year job in an acting capacity, county officials said.
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His appointment comes the same week that Johnson named an acting fire chief, Lt. Col. Darrell Odom, 49, who has three arrests and one conviction for simple assault in his past. Both men supported Johnson in his 2002 electoral bid; Washington sometimes served as his driver.
"There are few appointments as important as this one," Johnson said in the posting about Washington's job. "With his extensive experience and local ties, Keith Washington will lead this county in the right direction ensuring that the office of Homeland Security provides the protection and required services that the county needs and desires."
Johnson and Washington did not return calls seeking comment yesterday and Wednesday. Odom was out of town and could not be reached.
Some community activists expressed concern about the background of Johnson's latest appointees. "That's troubling to know," said Arthur Turner of Kettering. "I know sometimes people make mistakes, but in some positions, especially ones in law enforcement, I would prefer to have someone who is not blemished with violent incidents."
Others pointed to a pattern of rewards for Johnson's friends and supporters. For example, Shailender K. Gupta, a Greenbelt accountant who was Johnson's campaign treasurer, received $75,000 to study the Prince George's hospital system. Another supporter, former state delegate David Valderrama, received a $53,000 county contract to monitor the construction of public schools. Neither man had any experience in the area he was paid to study.
County Council members said there was little they could do about Johnson's selections. "The reality is we don't have a say in who is appointed," said council member Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Bowie), chairman of the council's public safety committee. "We'll have to work with whoever the county executive thinks is the best candidate."
Vernon Herron, the county's homeland security director, said Washington's military and police experience will enhance the office. "Mr. Washington's record speaks for itself," he said.
Washington, a 14-year veteran of the force, served for five years in the Army and has spent 19 years in the reserve, where he has received training in homeland defense, a county spokesman said. He worked as a detective in Hyattsville before joining Johnson's security detail.
As Washington assumes the new post, an internal police probe continues into three incidents at meetings he attended as a board member of the Simmons Acres Homeowners Association in Accokeek.
On Jan. 28, he was accused of assaulting a property manager. He was charged with a misdemeanor and suspended with pay pending an investigation. The charge was dropped March 23, court records show.
Two association officers said they filed separate complaints against Washington alleging verbal and physical harassment.
Dennis Tozser, the association's treasurer, said Washington pushed him at a Jan. 7 meeting. "He actually shoved me," Tozser said. "He was trying to bait me into a fight, so he shoved me in the chest."
