Crime & Safety

Howard County Police Officer Faces Second-Degree Assault Charge

Lawrence Cameron Cook was not on duty at the time of the alleged assault, according to police officials.

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A Howard County police officer was indicted Wednesday on assault charges for an incident that happened when he was off duty, according to police.

In a statement released by the Howard County Police Department, Police Chief William McMahon said PFC Lawrence Cameron Cook is a 7-year veteran of the department.

Cook faces one charge of second-degree assault for an incident that occurred in Columbia on March 18, according to court records..

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McMahon said the incident happened while Cook was off duty. 

“As the prosecution is now pending, I am unable to comment on the details of this case,” McMahon said in the statement.

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But I want Howard County citizens to have confidence that our detectives conducted a thorough criminal investigation into the allegations. We shared the investigation with the Howard County State’s Attorney, who presented the case to the grand jury, resulting in the indictment.

McMahon said the department’s internal affairs division is conducting its own investigation. 

Cook is on “no-duty” status with pay and his police powers have been suspended, according to McMahon. 

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