During the County Council’s meeting on Tuesday – their first in-person meeting since the beginning of the pandemic two years ago – councilmembers held the third worksession on the Expedited Bill 49-21, (Police – Police Accountability Board – Administrative Charging Committee – Established), which would establish a Police Accountability Board (PAB) and Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) for the County. The goal of the bill is to help improve police accountability, according to the Council.
The Council continues its review of Bill 49-21, Police – Police Accountability Board – Administrative Charging Committee – Established. 📺💻Watch live @CountyCableMoCo, Facebook or YouTube https://t.co/JvUtRWAfzP.
➡️View the Council staff report at https://t.co/WewxMnn2Zc. pic.twitter.com/UGCaxWSf4J— Montgomery Council (@MoCoCouncilMD) March 15, 2022
Robert H. Drummer, Senior Legislative Attorney, explained the budget and compensations proposed for this bill and presented the proposed amendments that would increase the PAB membership to nine voting members with at least one member residing in a municipality covered by the PAB and permit the Executive to appoint one or more non-voting members, clarify that all complaints from the public must be investigated and reported to the ACC, require funding for training of PAB and ACC members from the police and outside organizations and authorize the Council to remove a member for failure to complete required training.
The Council also approved an amendment that replaces general language indicating that professional experience is required, with more detailed language requiring that the individual be able to demonstrate through professional or lived experience the ability to balance effective oversight, perform objective analysis of an investigation report and practice procedural fairness, according to the Council.
The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive, and a decision regarding this bill is expected by the end of the month.
