MOCO Police Accountability Board Passed By Council, Going To Executive

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The County Council voted unanimously to create a Police Accountability Board and an Administrative Charging Committee to review allegations of misconduct against Montgomery County Police officers.

The bill is now headed to County Executive Marc Elrich's desk. If he signs it, the groups will be formed to investigate incidents from on or after July 1, 2023, for any complaints against officers covered by a collective bargaining agreement with a different disciplinary system, and incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2022 for all other complaints.

The move is, in part, response to the passage of House Bill 670 in the Maryland General Assembly, which seeks to create a uniform policy and procedures for police accountability.

In Montgomery County, County Executive Marc Elrich will choose nine members for the Police Accountability Board, and the council will be tasked with confirming them. The Administrative Charging Committee will have five members, plus a three-member trial board.

"This bill is not just about staying in compliance with state law — it's about composing a structure for oversight and accountability so that our community can begin to rebuild trust in law enforcement," said Councilmember Tom Hucker, who sits on the Public Safety Committee, in a council news release. "Thanks to all the community members and stakeholders who shared valuable input throughout this process and ultimately helped us strengthen and improve the legislation to create a community-focused PAB and ACC."

All members on both boards must be county residents, the council said in a news release.

The ACC Chair will have an annual salary of $22,000, the other four members will receive $16,000 annually, and members of the PAB will receive an annual salary of $10,000, except for one member who will serve on both boards and will therefore not collect a salary from the PAB, the council said.

“Complaints alleging police misconduct by a police officer employed by the County or by a municipality filed by a member of the public must be handled with the utmost care and attention," said Councilmember Sidney Katz, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, in a news release."Thank you to my colleagues who worked diligently in committee and at full Council, as well as to the many interested residents who took the time to share their thoughts with us. The passage of Bill 49-21 reflects each of our efforts.”