Samuel Waters
Service Record
Cecil County Maryland Sheriff's Department
| Rank | Officer |
| Dates of Service | Ended February 2017.[1] |
| Salary | $22,434 (2016)[2] |
| Last Known Status | Terminated[1] |
Wilmington Delaware Police Department
| Rank | Officer |
| Dates of Service | June 2018[3] - January 5, 2022.[1] |
| Last Known Status | Terminated[1] |
Incident Reports
2017 Road Rage
Waters was in uniform and driving to work when he made an obscene hand gesture at another driver.[1]
Response Timeline
In February 2017, Waters was fired.[1]
2021 Assault
In September 2021, officers responded to a domestic violence report and arrested a man. After officers bent the man over the hood of a car, Waters put his baton across the man's neck and pushed his face into the hood.[4]
In his police report, Waters claimed that he "immediately recognized" Brown from "numerous law enforcement actions/shared intelligence from other officers".[1]
The incident was captured on video, which has not been released.[4]
Response Timeline
Waters admitted he was not familiar with Brown and did not know him by name.[1]
On February 28, 2022, Waters was indicted by a grand jury and charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and official misconduct.[1]
On June 26, 2023, a jury found Waters not guilty of assault.[4]
2021 Assault of Dwayne Brown
On September 21, 2021, Waters responded to a harassment complaint and located Brown at a convenience store. Waters detained Brown against a display case before grabbing his head and slamming it into the case.[1][4]
Brown was arrested for harassment, resisting arrest, and other charges.[4]
Waters had not activated his body-worn camera. The incident was captured on the store's security camera.[4]
Response Timeline
The charges against Brown were dismissed.[4]
On October 25, 2021, Brown filed a civil lawsuit against Waters for use of excessive force in violation of his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
On January 5, 2022, Waters was fired.[1]
On February 28, 2022, Waters was indicted by a grand jury and charged with misdemeanor counts of assault, official misconduct, and falsification of business records, and felony counts of perjury and tampering with public records.[1][4]
On June 26, 2023, a jury found Waters guilty for misdemeanor charges of assault and official misconduct, and felony tampering with public records. Waters faces up to 8 years in prison.[4]
On January 30, 2024, LEO Ratings reached out to the Delaware DOJ for an update, as they previously expected Waters to be sentenced in 2023.
On January 31, 2024, the DOJ informed us that sentencing had been delayed due to the defense's request for a judgment of acquittal.
On October 4, 2024, Waters was sentenced to probation.[5]
Public Comments
LEO Ratings
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Randall Chase, Ex-Wilmington Cop Accused of Force in Slamming Man's Face Against Plexiglass, NBC Philadelphia, 2022-03-01
- ↑ Samuel Waters J, Deputy-Patrol, County Of Cecil, govSalaries
- ↑ Wilmington’s Newest Police Officers Take Their Oath of Office, City of Wilmington, 2018-06-29
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Xerxes Wilson, Jury returns verdicts in former Wilmington officer's assault, perjury trial, Delaware Online, 2023-06-26
- ↑ Xerxes Wilson, Ex-Wilmington police officer caught on video smashing man's head during arrest sentenced, Delaware Online, 2024-10-04
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