According to AP News, a Maryland police officer faces accusations of sexually assaulting a woman in her home.
Brian Newcomer, Prince George’s County Corporal, was arrested on multiple charges following the alleged assault. He faces multiple charges, including three counts of second-degree assault and attempted second-degree rape. The victim told authorities the assault occurred on July 30th.
Newcomer, who works in the Bureau of Investigation, joined the force in 2013. The sexual assault allegations against Newcomer are being investigated while he’s suspended without pay. Additionally, Newcomer will not be granted bond.
Attorney Aaron Blank is an experienced sexual assault victims lawyer who has represented many victims in civil lawsuits. In an interview, we asked Aaron to share insight on the legal rights of those who have been sexually assaulted by a police officer.
“Police are trusted to care for people and ensure people’s safety in their towns and states by preventing crime and enforcing laws. While most police are trustworthy people, there have also been many police officers sexually assaulting people on and off the job. The victims of these disgraceful crimes should know their legal rights.”
“Reporting the sexual assault of a police officer will result in a criminal investigation. This investigation is an important part of the process. But in some sexual assault cases, victims and their families may have grounds for a civil lawsuit against the police officer and potentially the police officer’s employer. The employer of the abuser may be considered liable for playing a negligence role in the assault. For example, if previous complaints were filed against the officer but were ignored and the officer remained employed. Another example would be if they failed to run a background check that could have revealed a history of misconduct before hiring the officer. Victims and their families should consult an experienced sexual assault lawyer to determine whether they have grounds for a civil lawsuit.”