Volunteers Sought To Serve On Howard County Police Accountability Board

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Volunteers are needed from Councilmanic District Five to serve a three-year term on Howard County’s Police Accountability Board. The deadline to apply falls on March 31.

“Howard County is home to the safest city in America due to our efforts to prioritize public safety and reinforcing public trust,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “Our Police Accountability Board ensures transparency and helps us engage residents as partners in accountability. I encourage residents from District Five who want to work with our board to help ensure that we are safe and feel safe in Howard County to apply.”

Comprised of seven voting members, two at-large members and one from each of the five councilmanic districts, board member responsibilities include:

• Review the outcome of complaint investigations to determine discipline and identify trends that could improve policing.
• Accept and forward complaints from members of the public for investigation by the police and sheriff’s departments.
• Meet with community youth representatives at least twice a year and appoint members to charging committees and trial boards.
• Receive complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public and review outcomes of disciplinary matters considered by the charging committee.
• Submit an annual report to the county that identifies any trends in disciplinary action against law enforcement personnel and makes policy recommendations that would improve police accountability.

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be a Howard County resident residing in Councilmanic District 5, age 25 years or older, have a committed interest and active involvement in Howard County community service, and be able to attend the board’s quarterly meetings. Members will have to undergo a criminal background check and sign a non-disclosure agreement as a condition of appointment. A volunteer cannot be a member of the board if they are an active police officer, an employee of county government or the Howard County Sheriff’s Office or have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor with the statutory penalty of more than two years.

Interested applicants should email Paul Thompson at applybc@howardcountymd.gov with the name of the board which they seek appointment, their home address and contact information. Included with the email, applicants should attach their resume and a brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the Police Accountability Board and how they meet eligibility requirements.