Subdivision 3. Administrative Charging Committee

Consist of five (5) members to include:

Appointments to the ACC shall be for three (3) year terms except that the terms of the initial ACC members shall be staggered. In the event that an ACC 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.

Prior to serving, all members of the ACC must complete the training required by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission. Members must also complete other training as may be required to include law enforcement agency trainings and relevant local, regional and national trainings subject to County's approval and payment process.

Independent counsel shall be assigned to the ACC in accordance with budgetary appropriations.

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

Candidates for the ACC membership shall not be excluded from consideration or disqualified on the basis of their immigration status, as long as 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.

Review the findings of a law enforcement agency's investigation of external complaints, including complaints involving allegations of misconduct that occur on or off-duty and were not initiated by the involved citizen; and

Determine if the police officer who is subject to investigation shall be:

If the police officer is administratively charged, shall recommend discipline in accordance with the law enforcement agency's disciplinary matrix established in accordance with Md. Annotated Code Public Safety Section 3-105;

If the police officer is not administratively charged, make a determination that:

Review any body camera footage that may be relevant to the matters covered in the complaint of misconduct;

Authorize a police officer called to appear before an administrative charging committee to be accompanied by a representative;

Issue a written opinion that describes in detail its findings, determinations, and recommendations; and forward the written opinion to the chief of the law enforcement agency, the police officer, and the complainant;

Record, in writing, any failure of supervision that caused or contributed to a police officer's misconduct;

Review and make a determination or ask for further review within 30 days after completion of the of the investigating unit's review;

Maintain confidentiality relating to matters being considered by ACC until final disposition of the matter;

Develop rules of procedure not inconsistent with State or County law; and

Meet once per month or as needed.