UPDATE: One Officer Fired, Two Suspended

Gaithersburg Police Chief Mark P. Sroka has fired one police officer and suspended with pay two others for "their involvement in serious, unrelated allegations of misconduct," he said.

Although he would not name the officers, one was on administrative duties and two others were on patrol duties. All three were suspended earlier this month, and only today did Sroka fire one.

“One of the most critically important issues that defines the effectiveness of any police agency is its credibility.  Central to that image is the integrity of its employees, from the newest entrant through the Chief of Police,” Sroka said in a statement.  “The actions that were taken demonstrate zero tolerance for actions that undermine the Gaithersburg Police Department’s credibility, and reaffirm our commitment to earn and maintain the public trust.”

He declined to say what any of the offenses were.

The Gaithersburg Police Department has had recently been staffed to it's full authorized strength of 54 for the first time in several months. Due to a retirement on March 25 and this firing, the force is now at 52 officers.

Sroka said an investigation is ongoing.

He would not say whether charges were pending or would be filed in any of the cases.