Civilian Review
Garrett County Police Accountability Board
Garrett County PAB
55/100
Summary
Garrett County (Maryland's westernmost, most rural county) established its PAB in February 2022 — the earliest in the state, ahead of the July 2022 statutory effective date. The 5-member board operates with staggered terms. The county FAQ explicitly states the board "accepts and forwards complaints from citizens for investigation by the police and sheriff's departments," making Garrett one of the most transparently confirmed sheriff-inclusion counties. CCSO active LEOs are prohibited from board service; retired LEOs are permitted.
Independence Scorecard
55/100
Limited
Methodology v0.1
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | 3 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Case-by-case |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Md. Code, Pub. Safety §§ 3-101 to 3-114 (HB 670, 2021); Garrett County Resolution (February 2022)
- Citation
- Md. Pub. Safety § 3-102; Garrett County (2022)
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Garrett County Sheriff's Office (primary county LE agency) and municipal police agencies