Prosecutor Declines to Charge Langley Police Chief, Recommends Review

Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks concluded that criminal charges are unlikely to succeed against Langley Police Chief David Marks in relation to a November 20, 2017 use of force incident involving Camren Procopio. Banks reviewed an investigation conducted by the Washington State Patrol and determined it would be unlikely a jury could convict beyond a reasonable doubt on gross misdemeanor assault charges. He nevertheless called the conduct troubling and recommended that the matter proceed through administrative channels.

The incident under review centers on an allegation that Marks kicked the legs of a handcuffed Procopio, causing him to fall face first to the ground. Two other officers produced accounts that diverged from Marks written statement. Those officers described Marks as aggressive and reported that Procopio did not resist at the time of the contact. Banks characterized the behavior as below expected professional standards and recommended an administrative review and possible discipline under city policies.

The prosecutor made clear that criminal and administrative standards differ. Criminal cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, a threshold that Banks said the available evidence was unlikely to meet. Administrative review and department discipline operate under different standards and can address professional conduct, training needs, and policy compliance. Langley Mayor Tim Callison has commissioned an outside expert on use of force to examine department policy and training and said he will await that expert's conclusions before making decisions on discipline.

For Island County residents, the case raises familiar questions about accountability, transparency, and community confidence in local law enforcement. The delay between the 2017 incident and the prosecutor review published in November 2025 highlights the complexity of investigating alleged misconduct, the involvement of multiple agencies, and the interplay of criminal and municipal remedies. The mayor's move to bring in an outside expert reflects a growing expectation in many communities that independent review can bolster credibility and identify systemic training or policy gaps.

Practical implications for island residents include potential changes to Langley Police Department procedures, renewed discussions at city council meetings, and attention to how administrative outcomes are communicated to the public. Whether the outside review results in policy revisions, additional training, or disciplinary action will shape local perceptions of accountability. The case also underscores the importance of careful documentation and independent oversight in incidents involving force, particularly when witness accounts diverge.

Next steps include the outside expert review, any administrative proceedings that follow, and ongoing public interest in how city leaders and law enforcement respond. The matter remains a local governance issue with wider resonance about standards of policing and the mechanisms communities use to ensure those standards are met.