Civilian Review
Howard County Police Accountability Board
Howard County PAB
55/100
Summary
Howard County's PAB became operational July 1, 2022 — among the earliest functioning PABs in the state. The 7-member board (2 at-large + 1 per 5 councilmanic districts) covers both the county police department and the sheriff's office, with complaints explicitly routed to either agency. Members serve staggered terms; appointment by County Executive, confirmation by Council. Annual reports for 2022–2025 are published.
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); Howard County (June 2022)
- Citation
- Md. Pub. Safety § 3-102; Howard County (2022)
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Howard County Police Department and Howard County Sheriff's Office