News You Can Use August 2026

Beltsville has been blessed with dedicated police officers who have served on the COPS Unit. Cpl. Jones and Cpl. Hibbert are retiring. Please join us at Police National Night Out as we celebrate Cpl. Jones and Cpl. Hibbert as they enter the next chapter in their lives. Police National Night Out is Tuesday, August 4th 6-8 p.m. at the Library/Police Department, 4321 Sellman Road, Beltsville.

Cpl. Jones served as a Patrol Officer in District III from 2006 to 2012, as a COPS Officer in Districts III and VIII from 2012 to 2023, and as a Patrol Officer in District VI from 2023 to 2024. He has served as a COPS Officer in District VI since 2024. Over his 20-year career, he has received several awards, including the Special Achievement Award and the District Commander's Award. Cpl. Jones says one of his most memorable recognitions came in August 2015, when he received a quarterly award for participating in a Double Dutch competition. The videos from the event eventually went viral, receiving national and worldwide attention.

A/Sgt. Kenneth Hibbert (#3101) has received numerous honors throughout his career. His recent recognitions include the 2025 Prince George's County Police Advisor/Mentor of the Year Award, the 2025 Explorer Program of the Year Award, a 2025 Governor's Citation from Governor Wes Moore, and a 2025 Maryland General Assembly Citation. In 2018, he was nominated for the National Association of Police Organizations' National TOP COPS Award and received a Certificate of Nomination presented by Vice President Michael Pence in recognition of his outstanding achievement in law enforcement.

Cpl. Kenneth Hibbert received two awards on June 16, 2021, at the annual Prince George's County Police Officers Awards Ceremony. The ceremony recognizes officers from the municipal police departments, the Prince George's County Sheriff's Department, and the Prince George's County Police Department for their outstanding service.

Cpl. Hibbert received the Prince George's County Police Department's 2020 Community Police Officer of the Year Award. He also received the countywide Police Chiefs' Top Community Police Officer of the Year Award for 2020, an honor voted on by the police chiefs from across Prince George's County.

Additional honors and recognitions received by Cpl. Hibbert include:

A 2015 Prince George's County Council Proclamation presented by Councilwoman Mary Lehman.

A 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama.

The 2014 Explorer Program of the Year Award.

The 2014 Police Advisor of the Year Award.

A 2015 Prince George's County Council Certificate of Recognition.

Cpl. Hibbert served as President of the Explorers Regional Association (PBAA – Potomac Boundaries Area Association), representing Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia, from 2017 through 2024.

He also served as a Crisis/Hostage Negotiator from 2012 to 2026 and has spent 17 years with the Community Policing Unit at the Beltsville/Laurel Station. Throughout his career, he has received numerous certificates and awards from schools, churches, civic associations, and businesses at the local, county, and national levels. He has proudly served 20 years at the Beltsville Station.

I cannot begin to count the many lives that Cpl. Hibbert and Cpl. Jones have touched throughout their careers. Our community has been truly blessed by their service. The many awards they have received for "doing their job" demonstrate that they consistently gave far more than what was expected. Their commitment, compassion, and dedication have left a lasting impact on countless individuals and on the Beltsville community as a whole.

Cpl. Hibbert and Cpl. Jones have succeeded because they were more than just police officers—they became trusted members of the community, mentors, role models, and friends. Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed the meaning of success best:

What Is Success?

*To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the approval of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed