Update Sept. 6, 2023
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. – A Prince George’s County police officer was suspended after a bystander recorded video of him embracing a woman and entering the back seat of his patrol unit with her at Southlawn Park in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Oxon Hill on Monday.
The officer was identified by NBC Washington as Francesco Marlett. A representative for the police department confirmed Marlett’s identity to NBC News on Wednesday.
The police agency said Tuesday they became aware of the viral video and Marlett was subsequently placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
“His police powers are now suspended as the investigation continues,” police said on social media.
Update: the officer has been identified. His police powers are now suspended as the investigation continues. https://t.co/hzDdUZuNzm
— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) September 5, 2023
Paula Martlett self-identified on Facebook as the officer’s wife. She provided the following public statement:
“Thank you everyone. Yes this is a very tough time for me and my kids. As embarrassing and painful as this is please check in on us. We need the support the love and most of all the respect from the community and our families. Yes I know what’s been going on. No, I am not updating anyone on this situation after today. Virginias husband left her ass a long time ago bc she cheated so she and my husband decided to do this behind my back for years. I’m not seeking anyone else’s input, I don’t need anyone’s opinion. My life is my life. I will make decisions according. I Love you all. Except for you Virginia you can rot in hell bitch.”
Law Officer article, Sept. 5, 2023
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. – Law enforcement authorities in Prince George’s County, Maryland said an internal investigation is underway after one of its uniformed officers was filmed apparently climbing into the back of a patrol unit with a woman and remaining there for a substantial period of time.
The video, which has quickly saturated social media on Tuesday, appears to show the officer embracing and kissing a woman next to his police vehicle, which is backed into a parking position. The woman holds the officer’s hand before they both enter the backseat of the police SUV, the Daily Beast reported.
Footage of the incident was originally posted on TikTok, but quickly went viral on several social media platforms. Comment sections following the video were racy, sexually suggestive, and at times degrading to the law enforcement profession.
A video posted on TikTok of a Prince George’s County Police officer has gone viral… I think I might know why ???? pic.twitter.com/sTX08SsNxh
— The DC MD VA Live (@TheDMVLive) September 5, 2023
By Tuesday morning, the Prince George’s County Police Department said it was aware of the widely circulated video.
“PGPD Executive Command is aware of a video circulating on social media with one of our officers. As soon as we became aware earlier today, we opened an investigation to determine the circumstances,” the department said in a press statement. “Additional information will be released once investigated and confirmed.”
PGPD Executive Command is aware of a video circulating on social media with one of our officers. As soon as we became aware earlier today, we opened an investigation to determine the circumstances. Additional information will be released once investigated and confirmed.
— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) September 5, 2023
The person who reportedly filmed the encounter told the Baltimore Banner that the officer and the woman remained inside the patrol SUV for about 40 minutes before separately leaving the park.
