RIDGELY SUSPENDS ENTIRE POLICE FORCE

END OF THE LINE FOR CABOOSE COPS?

TRAPPE POLICE CHIEF GEORGE BALL PLEADS GUILTY; HID EVIDENCE TO PROTECT MISTRESS

The Commissioners of Ridgley (the “Commissioners”) suspended with pay the entirety of the
Ridgely Police Department (the “Department”), effectively immediately, pending investigation
by the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor. The Commissioners are currently developing a
temporary agreement with the Caroline County Sheriff’s Department to guarantee uninterrupted
public safety services for the citizens of Town of Ridgely (the “Town”). Please continue to dial
410-479-2515 for non-emergencies and 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Updates will be made on the Town website as they become available.
Effective March 13, 2024

Jeff Eckrich – Chief of Police

Chief Jeff Eckrich started his career as a Cadet in 1989 with the Greenbelt City Police. He spent five years with Greenbelt as a Cadet and Officer before joining the Prince George’s County Police Department in 1994. During his time here, he was as patrol in the Seat Pleasant and Hyattsville Districts before becoming a Detective in 1999. He spent 21 years as a Detective, with the last 12 in the Homicide Unit. He trained as a Field Training Officer and Communications Specialist.

Chief Eckrich has received numerous awards throughout his career including Investigator of the year in 2003 as well as various ones for Homicide and Robbery investigations. He was on the FBI Cold Case Homicide Task Force before retiring from PG in 2019 and is a Firefighter/Engineer with the Ridgely Volunteer Fire Department.