Meanwhile, in 2019, according to a report by Case documentsHis police work was terminated.
During a call for service on February 9, 2016, Officer Patrick Ojong removed evidence in violation of multiple department policies. Following an internal investigation, Ojong was charged with twenty-four violations of department policies and was elected to an Administrative Hearing Panel pursuant to Maryland Code Annotated, Public Safety § 3-107. The Panel met on January 30, 2017 to hear testimony and evidence related to the charges against Ojong.
Prior to the hearing, the parties entered into a plea agreement. Pursuant to the agreement and a statement of generally accepted facts, Ojong pleaded guilty to thirteen charges and the Department dismissed the remaining charges. After reviewing the evidence, the Board recommended that Ojong be fined $250, have his employment terminated, and be suspended for thirty hours without pay.
The Board submitted its report to the Chief on February 21, 2017. The Chief subsequently sent Patrick a letter informing him that his employment would be terminated, effective March 3, 2017. Ojong promptly filed a petition for judicial review in the Prince George’s County Court.
He was also the subject of two other internal investigations that resulted in the Department charging him with violating a Department General Order.
On September 7, 2014, Patrick drove two civilians to their homes in his assigned patrol car within eight hours of consuming alcohol at a tavern. The Department charged Ojong with conduct unbecoming a police officer under Hyattsville Police Department General Order No. 202, General Rules of Conduct, Section 01 Unbecoming a Police Officer (hereinafter referred to as the “Unbecoming a Police Officer General Order”), and misuse of his patrol car under Hyattsville Police Department General Order No. 653, Take-Home Vehicle Program, Sections 06c and 11A.
On September 28, 2014, Patrick got into a verbal altercation with a pedestrian while in Washington, D.C., which ultimately resulted in Ojong brandishing his police department-issued firearm without probable cause. He was charged with improper conduct toward a police officer under the General Improper Conduct Order.