He says some changes will be coming to department policies.
Frederick, Md (KM) “Shocking” and “extremely disappointing” is how Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando reacted when he heard that one of his officers is charged in Pennsylvania with two counts of solicitation of a minor, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of the criminal use of a communications facility. He is currently being held in Adams County.
Corporal James Dodson has been suspended, and his badge. his police-issued firearm and police-issued vehicle have been taken away. .
“The second that we found out about this, the second that the senior leadership found out about this, we took it very seriously. Mr. Dodson was not allowed to work the streets, not a minute, when it came to our attention.
I just want to reassure everyone of that,” says Chief Lando, who was guest recently on WFMD”s “Morning News Express.”
Corporal Dodson is also facing allegations that he had sexual relations with a subordinate at the Frederick Police Department, and the victim said Dodson allegedly choked her.
In September, 2024, a female officer revealed she had a sexual relationship with Dodson that ended in August, 2024, a police spokesperson said. She also said in October of that year, Dodson had choked her in the spring of 2024.
The Chief said some changes are coming to the department’s policy and regulations. “Any policy that would be any way affected or have been affected by this incidents is under review. We’re already making some changes,” he says.
Current department policies contain guidance on the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace, and a provision on “immoral conduct.” “I think, if nothing else,. we’re just looking at some of the wording, and cleaning up some of the wording so it is very clear what the expectations are,” he says.
Lando said a new policy could be adopted very soon. . “You can’t write a policy for absolutely everything,” he says. “There were policies in place that broadly covered this conduct. We’re going to tighten up those policies a little bit. Our senior leadership is already reviewing them and I should be signing off on them shortly.”
By Kevin McManus