County Sends 50 Police Officers to Baltimore Wednesday Morning

Montgomery County Police SERT Officers engage with children in Baltimore in April.

Montgomery County Police has confirmed that 50 police officers were sent to Baltimore on Wednesday to assist the Baltimore Police Department for a Freddie Gray case court hearing in Baltimore.

Rick Goodale, Montgomery County Police spokesperson, wrote in an email that Special Events Response Team (SERT) certified officers left this morning prior to the start of the court hearing.

Goodale wrote the SERT team receives extensive training and equipment to deal with scheduled events, civil disturbances, and hazardous situations.

BPD officials said there has been a number of protesters in and around Baltimore downtown area.

“The overwhelming majority are peaceful and law-abiding. We are continuing to encourage all protesters to act in a lawful manner,” Baltimore police shared in a note to the media.

Six Baltimore police officers were charged in April after the death of Freddie Gray- a black man who was injured and died while in police custody.

This is the third time that Montgomery County police has deployed officers to assist Baltimore officers.

According to police officials, county’s SERT team is equipped with riot shields, riot helmets, special padding, and gas masks.

The Baltimore Sun is hosting online live coverage of today’s hearing. The paper reports that Judge Barry denied the motion to dismiss charges against Baltimore officers. Barry also allowed Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby to continue prosecuting the case.

According to the paper, prosecutors and defense are expected back in court by 2 p.m. to debate whether the six officers will be tried together or separately.

Judge denies motion to dismiss charges against Baltimore officers, recuse Marilyn Mosby from #FreddieGray case. http://t.co/BPkPels5Uq

— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) September 2, 2015

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

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