UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — The new president of the Fraternal Order of Police is speaking out following the arrest and charging of Prince George's County Police Corporal Michael Owen.
"This is a tragic event on all sides, and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Mr. Green," FOP president Angelo Consoli said. "However, we ask the community also, don’t pre-judge our officer. You know, Cpl. Owen is afforded the same rights as anyone else to due process, and ultimately the criminal justice system will decide if what he’s done is justified, or a crime."
Cpl. Owen has been charged with second-degree murder after court documents said he shot and killed a handcuffed man who was sitting in the front seat of his patrol car.
Police said Owen responded to a report of a male driver who had struck multiple vehicles, which police said was 43-year-old William Green. Cpl. Owen discovered Green asleep in his front seat and subsequently arrested him, according to officials.
After he had put Green in the front seat of his patrol car, the corporal allegedly shot him seven times as his hands were handcuffed behind him, killing him.
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Owen has since been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and associated weapons charges in Green's death. He was denied bond during a hearing on Wednesday, according to authorities.
Consoli said the FOP will stand by Cpl. Owen throughout the process until a judgment has been made as to his guilt.
Consoli just took over as president in December 2019, but said he has served on the force for 26 years, and as an officer with the FOP for the last eight years.
He said he has seen the relationship between the community and the police department evolve during his time with the department, and thinks it has improved greatly.
When asked how he thinks this incident affects the community's ability to trust officers, Consoli said he hopes that the chief's response proves that the department can hold itself accountable.
"I understand where people feel the way they do, but…police work is a dangerous job, and at the end of the day we’re all human beings," Consoli said. "Hopefully, this incident shows that the police department is, if they feel that something is wrong, they will point it out and bring it forward."
He said that per the order's legal plan, they are providing an attorney for Owen, and will base his membership on the judge's decision of his guilt.
Consoli said the 3,000+ members of the FOP are closely watching this case to see what precedent it sets.
"They look to see how the department handles it," he said. "How is this going to affect me if I’m involved in a similar incident down the line? And, it causes everyone to reflect on just that…Ultimately, the criminal justice system will decide if what he’s done is justified or a crime."
Consoli had previously released a statement that said in part, "Cpl. Owen is a member in good standing of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 89 and as such, we will work to ensure that he is afforded every right of due process under the Constitution of the United States."
When asked what "good standing" means, he said that mostly signifies that Cpl. Owen has paid his dues.
"It speaks more to the fact that if you're a member of this organization, we support you no matter what the circumstances are with the incident," Consoli said. "That is part of being a member is you are afforded that right."
He urged the public to wait for more information before passing judgment on Cpl. Owens' actions.