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Police Accountability Board
Overview
Through the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 – Police Discipline and Law Enforcement Programs and Procedures, which was enacted by the Maryland General Assembly on April 10, 2021, the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is required to establish a Police Accountability Board (PAB) and an Administrative Charging Committee (ACC).
Calvert County Government is focused on attaining a balanced representation of diverse backgrounds and experiences to execute those powers and duties.
Meetings
The next PAB meeting will be held on Sep. 14, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at the Harriet E. Brown Community Center (901 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick). Information will be posted on the meetings calendar when available.
Police Accountability Board
Meetings:
- Meets quarterly.
- The PAB holds quarterly meetings with heads of law enforcement agencies (LEA) and work with LEAs to improve matters of policing.
- The PAB receives complaints of police misconduct filed by the public. Complaints must be forwarded to the appropriate LEA within three days of receipt. On a quarterly basis, the PAB will review outcomes of disciplinary matters considered by charging committees.
- The PAB appoints civilian members to charging committees and trial boards.
- PAB meetings are subject to the Open Meetings Act.
Membership:
- Nine members, including a chairperson, appointed by the BOCC.
- Initially, PAB appointees will be given staggered term lengths between one and three years; otherwise, members will serve three-year terms, and are not eligible to serve longer than a total of six years on the PAB.
- No active police officer or immediate family member may be a member of the PAB or ACC. Any former police officer must be fully retired for at least five years.
- Members will reflect the racial, gender and cultural diversity of Calvert County and include at least two members from each commissioner district:
- Two retired sworn law enforcement officers
- Three or more members from minority populations within Calvert County
- One mental health practitioner
- Must be 18 or older.
- Must not be convicted of or have a pending charge for any crime punishable by/sentenced to imprisonment for more than one year, unless pardoned.
- Must be proficient in English (able to speak, read and write).
Members:
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Contact
Administrative Charging Committee
Meetings:
- Meets monthly.
- The ACC meets monthly and additionally as needed to review the findings of an LEA’s investigation.
- The ACC will determine whether a police officer subject to investigation is or is not to be administratively charged. If the officer is charged, the ACC will recommend discipline in accordance with the LEA’s disciplinary matrix established in the Maryland Annotated Code (Public Safety Art., § 3-106 and § 3-105). The head of an LEA (i.e., Sheriff) may offer the recommended discipline or a higher degree of discipline, but not a lesser degree of discipline.
- ACC meetings are subject to the Open Meetings Act.
Membership:
- Five members:
- PAB chairperson (or another PAB member designated by the chairperson)
- Two civilians appointed by the BOCC
- Two civilians appointed by the PAB
- Members serve a three-year term, and are not eligible to serve longer than a total of six years.
- No active police officer or immediate family member may be a member of the PAB or ACC. Any former police officer must be fully retired for at least five years.
- Must be 18 or older.
- Must not be convicted of or have a pending charge for any crime punishable by/sentenced to imprisonment for more than one year, unless pardoned.
- Must be proficient in English (able to speak, read and write).
Before serving on the ACC, members will receive training on police procedures from the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.
Members:
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Contact
Trial Board
Meetings:
- Meets as needed.
- A Trial Board is convened for the charged officer’s appeal of disciplinary action offered by the LEA head. A trial board is appointed as needed.
Membership:
- Each Trial Board will have three members:
- One active or retired judge (appointed by BOCC)
- One civilian (appointed by PAB)
- One law enforcement officer of equal rank to the officer charged (appointed by Head of LEA)
Members:
- Larry Lamson
- Stephanie Diehl
Contact
Apply to Serve
The BOCC is continuously accepting applications online for the PAB and ACC. For questions, please contact the Department of Human Resources at 410-535-1600, ext. 2695.
Due to the nature of the board, this is a separate application from other boards and commissions. If you wish to apply for a different board or commission, please visit the Volunteer Boards and Commissions page.