Maryland Police Officer Faked Traffic Stops to Dodge Duty 2026

A Maryland police officer is accused of faking traffic stops to avoid service calls, according to a recent indictment. This case highlights serious issues of police misconduct and breach of public trust.

Officer Accused of Falsifying Records

Dequwan Houchins, a 30-year-old Baltimore police officer, faces charges including four counts of false entry in a public record and five counts of misconduct in office. If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in jail and fines of $4,000 for each false entry charge. The indictment alleges that Houchins reported being on traffic stops when he was actually sitting idle in his car, and in one instance, ordering a smoothie.

Investigation and Evidence

The investigation began after a complaint in December. Detectives conducted an undercover sting, tailing Houchins for two hours on four separate shifts between April 8 and May 13. They found that he made nine legitimate traffic stops but recorded eight illegitimate ones. Additionally, he failed to file body-cam footage as required by department rules.

Impact on Public Trust

Baltimore's state's attorney, Ivan Bates, stated, "Falsifying official records for personal convenience is a serious breach of public trust." Mayor Brandon Scott called the alleged actions "shameful." Police Commissioner Richard Worley described Houchins as "a lazy cop" who wanted to collect a paycheck without doing the work.

Consequences for the Department

The indictment notes that other officers had to pick up calls that would have been assigned to Houchins, potentially delaying response times for citizens in need. This case underscores the importance of accountability in law enforcement.

Key Takeaways

• Officer faces 12 years in jail and fines for each false entry charge.
• Undercover investigation revealed 8 illegitimate traffic stops.
• Failure to file body-cam footage violated department rules.
• Other officers had to cover his missed calls, impacting service.

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