(a) Each county shall have a police accountability board to:
- (1) hold quarterly meetings with heads of law enforcement agencies and otherwise work with law enforcement agencies and the county government to improve matters of policing;
- (2) appoint civilian members to charging committees and trial boards;
- (3) receive complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public; and
(4)
- (i) on a quarterly basis, review outcomes of disciplinary matters considered by charging committees; and
(ii) on or before December 31 each year, submit a report to the governing body of the county that:
- 1. identifies any trends in the disciplinary process of police officers in the county; and
- 2. makes recommendations on changes to policy that would improve police accountability in the county.
(b)
(1)
(i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the local governing body shall:
- 1. establish the membership of a police accountability board;
- 2. establish the budget and staff for a police accountability board;
- 3. appoint a chair of the police accountability board who has relevant experience to the position; and
- 4. establish the procedures for record keeping by a police accountability board.
- (ii) An active police officer may not be a member of a police accountability board.
- (2) To the extent practicable, the membership of a police accountability board shall reflect the racial, gender, and cultural diversity of the county.
(c)
(1) A complaint of police misconduct filed with a police accountability board shall include:
- (i) the name of the police officer accused of misconduct;
- (ii) a description of the facts on which the complaint is based; and
- (iii) contact information of the complainant or a person filing on behalf of the complainant for investigative follow-up.
- (2) A complaint need not be notarized.
- (d) A complaint of police misconduct filed with a police accountability board shall be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency within 3 days after receipt by the board.
Added by Acts 2021, c. 59, § 3, eff. July 1, 2022.