Police Accountability Board

Composition: 

The Police Accountability Board (PAB) is made up of seven residents from Caroline County, all appointed by the County Commissioners.

The Police Accountability Board shall: 

1. Hold meetings, not less than quarterly, with heads of law enforcement agencies in the County and otherwise work with law enforcement agencies and the County government to improve matters of policing;
2. Adopt rules of procedure, which may be amended from time to time, as a majority of the PAB may deem necessary and appropriate. Such rules and any subsequent amendments shall be submitted to the County Commissioners for approval.
3. Receive complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public against a police officer who is employed by the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office or a municipal law enforcement agency within Caroline County, and forward the complaint to the police officer’s LEA within 3 days after receipt by the PAB.
4. On a quarterly basis, review outcomes of disciplinary matters considered by the ACC;
5. By December 31 each year, or such other time as the County Commissioners designate, submit a report to the County Commissioners that identifies any trends in the disciplinary process of police officers in Caroline County, and makes recommendations on changes to policy that would improve police accountability in Caroline County.

Elections: 

Members are chosen and appointed by the Caroline County Commissioners 

Terms of Office: 

Membership on the inaugural PAB shall be staggered as follows: 

(a) Three (3) members, to include the Chair, shall serve an initial term of four (4) years; 

(b) Two (2) members shall serve an initial term of three (3) years; and

(c) Two (2) members shall serve an initial term of two (2) years.

The Administrative Charging Committee shall:

1. Meet not less than once per month, and additionally as needed;
2. Adopt rules of procedure and conduct for hearings that provide procedural and substantive due process, which may be amended from time to time as a majority of the ACC may deem necessary and appropriate;
3. Review the findings of a LEA’s investigation conducted and forwarded to the ACC in accordance with State law;
4. Make a determination that the police officer who is subject to investigation shall be:
   1. Administratively charged; or
   2. Not administratively charged;
5. If the police officer is charged, recommend discipline in accordance with the LEA’s disciplinary matrix established in accordance with Md. Ann. Code, Public Safety Art., §3–105 and §3–106;
6. Review any body camera or other video footage that may be relevant to the matters covered in the complaint of misconduct;
7. Authorize a police officer called to appear before the ACC to be accompanied by a representative; 
8. Issue a written opinion that describes in detail its findings, determinations, and recommendations; and
9. Forward the written opinion to the chief of the LEA, the police officer, and the complainant.