Cumberland Police Captain Indicted on Multiple Criminal Charges Including Misconduct and Assault

Office of the State Prosecutor officials announced that a grand jury in Allegany County has issued an 11-count indictment against James Burt, a captain with the Cumberland Police Department.

The charges include six counts of misconduct in office, four counts of second-degree assault, and one count of a fourth-degree sexual offense.

According to prosecutors, Burt has been employed as a sworn officer since the early 2000s and has served in a leadership role as captain since 2021. During his career, he completed numerous professional trainings covering supervisory responsibilities, ethics, defensive tactics, and standards of conduct.

Investigators allege that Burt repeatedly used defensive control techniques — commonly referred to as pain compliance pressure points — on younger female officers while they were on duty. These tactics are typically reserved for gaining control of resisting suspects during arrests. Prosecutors contend that these methods were instead applied to subordinate officers without justification, resulting in physical assaults involving three members of the department.

The indictment further claims that similar conduct occurred after one former officer transferred to the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, Burt is accused of an unwanted physical encounter in a department stairwell, where he allegedly kissed an officer on the neck without consent.

State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard III emphasized that law enforcement supervisors are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

“When individuals entrusted with authority misuse that position, especially against those they supervise, it undermines both the department and the public’s trust,” Howard said. “We will pursue accountability wherever the evidence supports it.”

The prosecutor’s office credited the Maryland State Police for assisting with the investigation and acknowledged the cooperation of the Cumberland Police Department.

As with all criminal matters, the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.