Division 4. Miscellaneous Police Matters
Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.
Division 4. Miscellaneous Police Matters
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 18-121 (2026)
Sec. 18-121. Neighborhood Watch ProgramLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Upon petition by residents and responsive to Police Department regulations, the Chief of Police may authorize a Neighborhood Watch Program for an area. When a Program has been so authorized, the Director of Public Works and Transportation shall provide and erect on County maintained roadways and provide in all other instances, at County expense, not more than two (2) Neighborhood Watch Signs in the area. The Director may permit additional signs in the area if payment is made to the County for their cost.
(b)
The Chief of Police may promulgate regulations to implement the Neighborhood Watch Program.
(c)
With the consent of a municipality, this Section shall be applicable therein.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 18-122 (2026)
Sec. 18-122. Private Security Camera Incentive ProgramLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Definitions. In this Section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(1)
Program means the Private Security Camera Incentive Program established under this Section.
(2)
Security camera means an outdoor surveillance camera system, with functioning digital video recording capability, that is installed on property owned or leased by an individual, business, or nonprofit organization.
(3)
Priority area means one or more locations that the crime driven data supports as needing additional security cameras based upon public safety indicators, including crime levels. Priority areas shall be identified and published by the Chief of Police and / or designee.
(4)
Business means any association, corporation, partnership, individual, sole proprietorship, joint stock company, joint venture, or any other legal entity through which business is conducted as defined in County Code Section 10A-101(a)(4).
(5)
Subscription means an amount paid regularly to receive a service or product.
(b)
Program established. There is a Private Security Camera Incentive Program under the partnership between the Prince Georges County Police Department and Office of Community Relations. The Office of Community Relations will manage the marketing and outreach of the Private Security Camera Incentive Program.
(c)
Criteria to receive a camera, rebate, or voucher. An owner or lessee of a property may qualify to receive a camera, rebate, or voucher under the program if:
(1)
the applicant is an individual, business, or nonprofit organization;
(2)
the property is located within a priority area;
(3)
the applicant agrees in writing that the security camera must not be used for the purpose of intentionally recording specific individuals conducting lawful activity on private property not owned by the applicant;
(4)
business or non-profit applicants agree in writing to post notice prominently to alert visitors of the existence of the security camera;
(5)
the rebate or voucher is used solely to offset the purchase of a security camera and/ or the subscription costs associated with a security camera; and
(6)
the application is submitted in the form and manner prescribed by the partnership between the Prince Georges County Police Department and the Office of Community Relations.
(d)
Funding and limitations.
(1)
The Director of the Office of Finance shall be responsible for dispersing rebates and vouchers.
(2)
The amount of a rebate or voucher under the program must not exceed the purchase cost of a security camera or the annual cost of a subscription for security camera service. The maximum amount of a rebate or voucher shall be:
(A)
Two hundred dollars ($200.00) for cameras purchased by owners or lessees; and
(B)
One hundred dollars ($100.00) for subscription costs.
(3)
There shall be a limit of one (1) camera per residential household and two (2) cameras per business.
(4)
Rebates and vouchers provided under the program are subject to appropriation.
(5)
The Office of Finance may seek federal or state funding to support the program.
(e)
Priority Areas. Prior to implementation of the program, the Chief of Police and / or a designee must provide a list of the priority areas in the County based on crime statistics. The Priority Areas List shall be:
(1)
identified by locations supported by crime driven data; and
(2)
updated each year.
(f)
Community Inclusiveness. This entire Section shall comply with Subtitle 2, Administration, Division 46, of this Code.
(g)
Annual report. The Office of the County Executive must report to the Council annually regarding the implementation of the program, including the number and amount of rebates and vouchers awarded, and the efficacy of the program.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 18-123 (2026)
Sec. 18-123. Missing Persons; DaCara Rose's LawLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Definitions. In this Section:
(1)
Law enforcement agency means:
(A)
the Prince George's County Police Department; and
(B)
any incorporated municipality's police department operating within Prince George's County.
(2)
Missing person report means a report made to a law enforcement agency that a person's whereabouts are unknown to the reporting party and the circumstances indicate the person may be missing.
(A)
including any report that would be accepted pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, Public Safety Article, Section 3-601.
(b)
Mandatory Waiting Period Prohibited; Acceptance Without Delay.
(1)
A law enforcement agency shall not establish, require, or enforce any mandatory waiting period before taking a missing person report.
(2)
A law enforcement agency shall accept without delay a missing person report offered in person.
(3)
A law enforcement agency may accept a missing person report by telephone or other electronic means if consistent with the law enforcement agency's written policy, provided that the reporting person completes the report in person as soon as practicable if required by policy.
(c)
Public Notice. Each law enforcement agency shall make reasonable efforts to inform the general public and the family of a potential missing person that the agency does not impose a mandatory waiting period before taking a missing person report. Law enforcement agencies shall also make a public campaign specifically tailored to assist missing black women and girls.
(d)
Written Policy. Each law enforcement agency shall maintain a written policy consistent with this Section and with Annotated Code of Maryland, Public Safety Article, Section 3-601.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 18-124 (2026)
Sec. 18-124. Masks or facial coverings; prohibitedLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Definitions. In this section, the following words mean:
(1)
Law Enforcement Agency means a federal, state, or local agency, department, bureau, office, or unit authorized to enforce criminal, civil, or immigration laws in the County.
(2)
Law Enforcement Officer means an individual who is:
(A)
A sworn member of a law enforcement agency; and
(B)
acting in the performance of official duties.
(3)
Face Covering means any balaclava, ski mask, neck gaiter, tactical mask, or any other item that conceals or obscures the face of an individual.
(4)
Protective Equipment includes:
(A)
Respirators, including passive air purifying, powered air purifying respirators, and self-contained breathing apparatus.
(B)
Gas Masks, or similar protective masks designed to filter or isolate the wearer from toxic gases, vapors, aerosols, or airborne biological agents.
(C)
Hazardous materials protective gear (HAZMAT), including full-face or hooded protective ensembles required for response to chemical, biological, or environmental threats.
(D)
Fire-resistant or flame-retardant protective masks, hoods, or face coverings that are an integral component of firefighting or fire-suppression gear.
(b)
Prohibited Conduct.
(1)
Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a law enforcement officer shall not wear a face covering while interacting with a member of the public in the performance of official duties in Prince George's County.
(2)
Except as provided in subsection (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section, a law enforcement officer shall display the officer's name and identification number issued by the law enforcement agency who they represent without obstruction.
(c)
Exceptions.
(1)
Undercover Operations. While actively engaged in an undercover operation or covert activity where facial concealment is necessary to protect the officer's identity or safety, with a judicially issued warrant.
(2)
Tactical Operations. Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers or other substantially similar tactical units may utilize gear necessary to protect against physical harm and to perform tactical responsibilities such as hostage rescues, barricade incidents, active assailant situations, and other comparable operations.
(3)
Medical Protections. When wearing a medical-grade or surgical mask designed to prevent the transmission of airborne diseases or infection.
(4)
Fire or Smoke Gear. When wearing protective equipment is necessary to perform duties during a fire or fire-related incident.
(5)
Biological or Chemical Agents. When wearing protective equipment related to protection against exposure to biological or chemical agents during an incident where such agents may be present.
(6)
Water Rescue. When wearing protective equipment is necessary to perform duties during a water rescue operation.
(7)
Vehicle Helmets. When a law enforcement officer is utilizing a motorcycle or other vehicle that requires a helmet for safe operations.
(8)
Inclement Weather. A law enforcement officer may wear facial coverings for warmth. They must remove or adjust the facial covering to comply with this section as soon as reasonably practicable when interacting with a member of the public.
(d)
Penalties. A law enforcement officer found in violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months and up to a five thousand dollar ($5000) fine.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 18-125 (2026)
Sec. 18-125. Federal immigration enforcement activity verificationLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Legislative Findings. The County Council finds that:
(1)
federal agents disguising their identities and using ruses such as the impersonation of local police officers while engaging in immigration enforcement activity poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of County residents and visitors;
(2)
the normalization of the seizure and removal of individuals by armed masked men without appropriate identification increases the risk of kidnapping and human trafficking of County residents and visitors; and
(3)
the Prince George's County Police Department General Order Manual requires officers to "serve to protect and safeguard lives and property; protect the community from deception, oppression, intimidation, violence, and disorder; and protect the Constitutional rights of all citizens to liberty, equality, and justice."
(b)
Definitions. In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(1)
Immigration enforcement activity means any and all efforts to investigate, enforce, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal civil immigration law, and also includes any and all efforts to investigate, enforce, or assist in the investigation or enforcement of any federal criminal immigration law that penalizes a person's presence in, entry, or reentry to, or employment in, the United States, including but not limited to efforts to identify or apprehend persons for purposes of subjecting them to immigration detention and/or removal from the United States.
(2)
Police Chief means the Chief of the Prince George's County Police Department.
(3)
Police Department means the Prince George's County Police Department.
(c)
Calls for Service. A person observing immigration enforcement activity in the County may call 9-1-1 to request assistance from the Police Department to verify the identity of persons engaged in such activity.
(d)
Police Response. Upon receipt of a call for immigration enforcement verification, responding officers must:
(1)
request identifying information from any person engaging in immigration enforcement activity;
(2)
request to see any judicial warrant or other source of authority for the action; and
(3)
document the names, badge numbers, and agencies of the individuals engaging in immigration enforcement activity;
(4)
when applicable, provide the caller with materials related to available immigrant legal resources; and
(5)
when necessary, ensure that emergency medical response is provided.
(e)
Outreach. The Chief of Police shall institute a public outreach program to inform County residents and business owners of the Department's immigration enforcement activity verification service.
(f)
Reporting. The Chief of Police shall report to the County Council quarterly on the number of calls received for immigration enforcement activity verification and the outcomes of the Department's responses.
Prince George's County, Md., Code §§ 18-126–18-132 (2026)
Sec. 18-126 through 18-132. ReservedLinkCopy Citation
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 18-133 (2026)
Sec. 18-133. Police Retirement System; transfer to new systemLinkCopy Citation
(a)
The County may elect to transfer the coverage of its employees who are classified as policemen from the employees' retirement system of the State of Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the State system, to a local retirement system established by the County to provide their retirement benefits, hereinafter referred to as the local system. Such transfer shall become effective upon the date as shall be set by the board provided that at least thirty (30) days prior to such date it shall file with the board of trustees of the State system such information as the County may require.
(b)
The amount of accumulated contributions as of the effective date of any member of the State system shall be transferred to the administrative board of the local system and shall be credited to his account in said system. The amount of reserve held in the State retirement system as the result of the previous contributions of Prince George's County shall be determined for each member on the effective date and such amount shall be transferred to the administrative board of the local system. The aggregate amount of the contributions on the effective date shall be paid to the administrative board of the local system to be held in trust for the purpose of providing the retirement benefits of such transferred members under the local system. From and after the effective date set for the establishment of the local retirement system by the County, neither the County nor any member of the Police Department for the County shall be required to contribute to the State employees' retirement system for such employees so covered by the local system.