CHEVY CHASE, Md. — The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Maryland Council 3 (AFSCME) is demanding change after one of their own was tragically killed on the job last month.
Davis Martinez, a 33-year-old Maryland Parole and Probation agent, was killed while doing a welfare check in Chevy Chase on May 31. Police said Martinez had gone to the home of 54-year-old Emanuel Sewell, a registered sex offender, for a welfare check. Martinez' body was later found in the home.
Sewell was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
The union representing state parole and probation agents said it was a tragedy that could have been prevented, had the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) taken action.
“Members of our union brought up safety concerns, meeting after meeting, only to be met with dismissive attitudes from the department of public safety and parole and probations," Patrick Moran, the AFSCME Maryland Council 3 president, said.
WUSA9 reached out to DPSCS for comment and they said they are reassessing current policies and practices. They provided the following statement:
"The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of its staff and the community and is committed to working closely with the Union to bring about meaningful change. In the wake of the recent death of Division of Parole and Probation (DPP) Agent Davis Martinez, the Department has taken immediate and decisive action to reassess and enhance our current policies and practices. This reassessment includes examining equipment and policies that affect every element of work done by Parole and Probation employees."
DPSCS said the assessment includes:
- Home visits, and specifically a process for identifying potentially high-risk clients, to include discussion of assigning an additional agent to those clients
- Front lobby and security presence and the needs of all field offices statewide.
- A complete equipment assessment and upgrading as necessary for safety equipment such as mace and vests
- Examination of policies and procedures related to training, both entry-level and advanced
- Examining all policies to ensure standardization throughout the Division
- Efforts to increase and improve communication in field offices, with management, and with the union
- A study of the culture within Parole and Probation to determine whether further changes and leadership moves should be made.
"In addition, the Department’s own Intelligence and Investigative Division has already begun a thorough investigation of the administrative practices leading up to the death of Agent Martinez," the DPSCS statement continued. "The Department believes that nothing is more important than the safety of its personnel, who every day perform an incredible volume of work in the community, where unlike in correctional facilities, their clients are free to move about without direct around-the-clock supervision. Under Secretary Scruggs’ leadership, the Department is steadfast in its commitment to improving safety measures and operational protocols. We will continue to work tirelessly to safeguard our agents and the community while ensuring that our practices reflect the highest safety and security standards."
Moran said changes have yet to be made and DPSCS responded "too late."
AFSCME is demanding improved safety protocols, safer staffing levels and accountability from state leaders.
“Someone paid the ultimate sacrifice" Moran said. "Davis Martinez is never going to see his family again. They need to sit down right away, today, tomorrow, or tonight. We’re open 24 hours.”
Moran said he recently met with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to discuss ways to move forward. He said the governor has agreed to work on changing policies and procedures.
Meanwhile, Sewell is scheduled to appear before a grand jury on July 5, where they will announce if those charges have been upgraded from second-degree to first-degree murder.
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