Volunteers Needed To Serve On Administrative Charging Committee In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Volunteers are needed to serve on Howard County's Administrative Charging Committee, which is required according to Maryland Code.

According to state law, the appointing body must invite applications from the public for 30 days prior to making an appointment to the committee, which ends Sept. 16. No appointments will be made before Sept. 20.

The Administrative Charging Committee shall meet at least once per month and appointees will be expected to attend all meetings of their respective boards. All citizens interested in volunteering their time should complete the application available on the county’s website and attach a resume. There is 40-hour training requirement for members of the charging committee.

Candidates will be asked to complete a background check and complete a disclosure statement.

The duties of the Administrative Charging Committee are:

• Review the findings of each law enforcement agency's investigation forwarded to the ACC
• Review any relevant information regarding the complaint
• Authorize a police officer to appear before the committee accompanied by a representative to give testimony
• Determine whether a police officer should be administratively charged
• Recommend discipline in accordance with Discipline Matrix
• Issue written findings and provide them to the head of the relevant law enforcement agency

The Administrative Charging Committee is a committee comprised of five members.

• One member is to be the chair of the Police Accountability Board or his/her designee
• Two members are civilians appointed by the Police Accountability Board
• Two members are civilians appointed by the County Executive