Police-Involved Deaths May Get More Scrutiny, Hearing On March 5

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Montgomery County Council will hold a hearing on legislation that seeks to improve the public's trust in law enforcement and remove possible conflicts of interest in police-involved investigations. The public hearing will be held at the Council Office Building in Rockville at 7:30 p.m.

The bill — introduced by Councilmember Will Jawando in January — would require an independent and transparent investigation into a police officer-involved death. The Law Enforcement Trust and Transparency (LETT) Act comes seven months after an unarmed black man's confrontation with a police officer turned deadly.

On June 11, 2018, Robert Lawrence White, 41, of Silver Spring, was fatally shot by Officer Anand Badgujar, who had been with the county's police department for about two years.

Following the incident, Badgujar was placed on administrative leave. The department conducted an investigation and submitted the findings to Howard County prosecutors.

An established agreement between the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office and the Howard County State's Attorney's Office says that when an officer-involved death occurs in one county, the other county's State's Attorney's Office will review the event.

"Directing an independent review of police actions, when an officer is involved in the death of a resident, will protect both the integrity of the inquiry and the civil rights of our residents, especially those of color," Councilmember Jawando said. "An independent criminal investigation guards against bias, and the perception of bias. This bill serves all involved — our officers, the prosecutors and our residents."

Currently, when a Montgomery County police officer is involved in the death of an individual, the department will conduct the initial criminal investigation. Under the LETT Act, the investigation must be conducted by at least two independent investigators. The investigators must also be employed by a federal, state, or another local law enforcement agency.

The independent agents will then submit a report to the State's Attorney. If no criminal charges are filed against the officer, the State's Attorney has to publish a report that details the findings of the investigation to the "extent permitted under the Maryland Public Information Act."

Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Craig Rice, Hans Riemer, and Council President Nancy Navarro have signed on as cosponsors.

Supporters of the bill include the NAACP of Montgomery County, the ACLU of Montgomery County, and Mothers of Black Boys United for Social Change.