Police Education Program Triggers Another Probe

Montgomery County's inspector general said he will investigate a controversial police education program, in the first indication that officials outside the county's executive branch are asking questions about the company that administered it.

Meanwhile, the attorney representing Applied Sciences for Public Safety said the company's position is that it has done nothing wrong.

Thomas Dagley, the inspector general, said Monday that his office will examine taxpayer-funded payments made over the past three years to Applied Sciences and its affiliates. During that time, 330 county public safety officers enrolled in classes taught by the company. The county paid the employees' tuition as continuing-education expenses.

At issue is whether the company used the tuition reimbursements to subsidize purchases of weapons that were then sold to county employees at deep discounts.

Montgomery Sheriff Raymond Kight (D) said he has been told by deputies who attended a 2008 class that they were able to buy Glock handguns valued at $400 to $550 apiece for $50.

Walter Booth, the company's attorney, would not say how the guns were priced, but said none sold for as little as $50. "There's nothing inappropriate about the way the guns were sold," he said. "They were not giveaways."

Of the 16 sheriff's deputies who enrolled in the class, 14 bought the Glocks, according to the sheriff's office. County officials have questioned whether the public safety officers attended the classes for the education or the guns.

"The candy to get people in the course is the weapon," said Assistant Sheriff Bruce Sherman.

Booth said the employees had to complete the course to receive the "substantial discount" for the guns. He said the courses were valuable and taught advanced public safety techniques.

County officials said that approximately 275 Montgomery police officers enrolled in classes. It is not clear how many bought weapons or how much they paid.

Dagley, the inspector general, said he also will investigate "concerns reported" directly to his office. His office reports to the Montgomery County Council. Last year, Dagley launched an investigation of the county's disability retirement program for police officers.

The office of County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) is already investigating, and the probe is being led by County Attorney Leon Rodriguez. A Leggett spokesman said Rodriguez intends to bring in an outside expert to assist.