Anne Arundel Exec Probes Retaliation Complaints

Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman says her office is looking into complaints of retaliation against police officers who testified against her predecessor.

Councilman James Benoit asked Neuman to investigate complaints that Police Chief Larry Tolliver demoted officers who testified against former County Executive John R. Leopold, who resigned in February following conviction on two counts of misconduct. Leopold appointed Tolliver last summer. 

Benoit said the complaints also included allegations of homophobic slurs by Tolliver.

County police spokesman Justin Mulcahy told The Capital of Annapolis that Tolliver has made a number of reassignments to improve the agency, and denied they were retaliatory or punitive. 

Mulcahy said Tolliver does not encourage negative attitudes toward homosexuality.

Neuman issued a statement saying steps are being taken to investigate and resolve the issue.