Baltimore Officer in Viral Cruiser Chase Suspended Without Pay

Overview

• Police officials confirmed Officer Robert A. Parks is now suspended without pay after initially being placed on paid leave late last month.
• The viral video shows Parks driving a marked cruiser toward a person in Park Heights and later crashing the vehicle during the pursuit.
• An internal affairs investigation is reviewing body-worn camera footage, and the police commissioner called the conduct disturbing and not reflective of department standards.
• State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said he will not call Parks as a witness in active prosecutions while the investigations are underway.
• The department did not explain the basis for the status change under Maryland’s rules for unpaid suspensions, and no criminal charges were listed under Parks’ name as of Tuesday afternoon.