Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada resigned Friday, effective immediately, following the release of an investigation report by the county’s Office of the Inspector General according to The Washington Post. County Executive Marc Elrich accepted the resignation, which concluded Yamada’s nearly four decades of service with the Montgomery County Department of Police as reported by WUSA9. Assistant Chief Darren Francke was appointed to serve as the acting chief of police until a permanent replacement is selected.
Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada Resigns Following Misconduct Report
Inspector General Findings on Time and Attendance Violations
The inquiry by Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi’s office stemmed from hotline complaints and examined activities between July 2024 and July 2026. Investigators determined that a police executive missed work without taking leave where required, totaling at least five days or 40 hours of unrecorded absences according to WTOP News. The report detailed that these absences included medical leave earlier in the year and time spent at a golf tournament where alcohol was consumed on the clock.
Although department policy exempted Yamada from certain leave requirements, investigators found he violated a police directive requiring employees to account for absences. The review also highlighted inconsistent supervisory timecard reviews and general confusion among managers regarding leave policies for nonofficial events during shifts.
Misuse of Travel and County Vehicle Allegations
The investigation additionally scrutinized travel arrangements and resource utilization. According to WJLA, the probe examined funds related to a trip to Las Vegas where Yamada selected a relative, who also worked as a county police officer, to accompany him. Investigators stated that Yamada subsequently lied during the investigation by denying his involvement in choosing the relative for that assignment. Providing false information to investigators constituted a violation of the County Code.
Furthermore, the report revealed that Yamada permitted an employee from the Office of the County Attorney to use a county-owned vehicle without proper approval or restrictions. That vehicle was subsequently used for commuting and personal matters.
Leadership Transition and Official Responses
Elrich stated that while he appreciated Yamada’s long tenure, the findings regarding the accuracy of the chief’s statements during the investigation made a leadership change necessary, emphasizing that trust and integrity are fundamental to public service.
Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-Gonzalez described the findings as disappointing but stressed that the actions of an individual do not reflect the broader workforce, while praising the independent oversight provided by the inspector general’s office. Councilmember Dawn Luedtke noted that the department faces an ongoing staffing shortage of approximately 200 officers, making stability through the leadership transition a priority.
The inspector general’s office issued five recommendations, which include clarifying time and attendance expectations, establishing policies for social event attendance during work hours, reviewing vehicle assignments to civilian staff, ensuring all supervisors review and approve timecards, and consulting attorneys regarding the potential recovery of 40 hours of pay. Elrich confirmed that the county intends to implement these recommendations.
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