Subdivision 2. Police Accountability Board

Establish the membership of the Board; and

Establish the budget, including staffing costs, of the Board; and

Appoint a Chair of the Board who has relevant experience to the position; and

Establish the procedures for record keeping by the Board.

The Board shall consist of eleven (11) members.

The County Executive shall nominate, for approval by the Council, the Chair of the Board who has relevant experience to the position such as working with a criminal justice agency and/or community service organization.

A Board member may be removed from office for cause by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the members of the full Council.

Prior to nomination, there must be a public engagement process established for all prospective nominees, which shall be proposed by the County Executive and approved by Council resolution.

To the extent practicable, the members of the Board shall reflect the racial, ethnic, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, cultural and geographic diversity of the County and should be required to include members with a range of professional or lived experiences.

Board members shall be at least 21 years of age and residents of Prince George's County.

An individual may not be a member of the Board if they are:

No more than one former police or law enforcement officer, as defined in Md. Public Safety Code Ann. §3-201, can serve on the Board.

Appointments to the Board shall be for four (4) year terms except that the terms of the initial Board members shall be staggered. In the event that a Board member does not complete a term, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as set forth in subparagraph (a) of this Section. No member shall be appointed for more than two (2) consecutive full terms.

Independent counsel shall be provided to the Board pursuant to budgetary appropriations ordinance.

Candidates for membership will demonstrate honesty, integrity and credibility.

Candidates for the Board membership shall not be excluded from consideration or disqualified on the basis of their immigration status, as long as the applicant can prove identity and work authorization in accordance with federal law, or criminal history, except that any person who has been convicted of or received a probation before judgment (PBJ) disposition for any crime under federal or state law, but has not yet successfully completed their sentence for the conviction or PBJ (including any period of probation or parole imposed or any order for the payment of restitution) shall be ineligible for appointment.

Hold quarterly meetings with the heads of law enforcement agencies and otherwise work with law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction of Prince George's County, and the Prince George's County government, to improve matters of policing;

Appoint civilian members to charging committees and trial boards in accordance with State law;

Receive complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public that include: the name of the police officer accused of misconduct, a description of the facts on which the complaint is based and contact information of the complainant or a person filing on behalf of the complainant for investigative follow-up. A complaint need not be notarized;

Forward complaints of police misconduct to the appropriate law enforcement agency within three (3) business days after receipt by the Board;

On a quarterly basis review disciplinary outcomes of disciplinary matters resulting from both internal and external complaints. The Board shall be entitled to:

Seek community feedback on policing and provide information about policing matters to the community.

On or before December 31 each year, submit a report to the County Executive and County Council that:

The Board shall meet at least quarterly or more frequently as determined by the Board to carry out its duties.

Develop rules of procedure not inconsistent with State or County law.

The Board may attend law enforcement agency trainings, including use of force trainings and attend relevant local, regional and national trainings subject to County's approval and payment process.

Recordkeeping. The staff assigned to the Board shall maintain its records and shall establish a record retention schedule in accordance with State law. The Board shall abide by the provisions of the Maryland Public Information Act.