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HAGERSTOWN, MD – The Washington County Board of County Commissioners is actively seeking applications from residents interested in serving on the Washington County Police Accountability Board (PAB). The board currently has vacancies, and individuals are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Submitted applications will be kept on file for two years to address any future or unexpected openings.
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The Police Accountability Board is a volunteer body comprised of seven members who convene for quarterly meetings. From among its members, the Board of County Commissioners will select a chair. A key responsibility of the PAB Chair includes participation on the Administrative Charging Committee. Membership on this committee is compensated and necessitates completion of training mandated by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission. The establishment of such a board is a requirement under Chapter 59 of the 2021 Acts of the General Assembly, known as the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021. This legislation outlines specific duties for county PABs, including establishing membership, budgeting and staffing, appointing an experienced chair, and defining record-keeping procedures, all while adhering to the Act’s stipulations.
Under the Act, the PAB is tasked with several important functions. These include holding quarterly meetings with the heads of law enforcement agencies to collaboratively improve policing matters. The board also plays a role in appointing civilian members to charging committees and trial boards. Furthermore, the PAB is responsible for receiving complaints of police misconduct from the public and forwarding them to the relevant law enforcement agency for investigation. On a quarterly basis, the board reviews the outcomes of disciplinary matters handled by charging committees. Annually, by December 31, the PAB must submit a report to the county’s governing body. This report is expected to identify trends in police officer disciplinary processes within the county and propose policy recommendations aimed at enhancing police accountability.
The Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 also mandates the creation of an administrative charging committee in each county. This committee’s role is to scrutinize the findings of a law enforcement agency’s investigation into potential misconduct. Based on this review, the administrative charging committee determines whether a police officer under investigation should face administrative charges. If charges are filed, the committee is then responsible for recommending appropriate disciplinary action, aligning with the law enforcement agency’s established disciplinary matrix, and issuing a detailed written opinion outlining their findings, determinations, and recommendations. Residents interested in applying for a position on the Washington County Police Accountability Board can access the application form on the county’s official website at https://www.washco-md.net/application-for-appointment-to-the-police-accountability-board/. For further inquiries or additional information, the Washington County Attorney’s Office can be reached at 240-313-2230.
Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from Washington County Board of County Commissioners.
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