Montgomery County Police Accountability Board
Montgomery County PAB
Summary
Montgomery County's PAB was established by Expedited Bill 49-21 (April 2022) under HB 670. The 9-member civilian board receives complaints against officers of the county police department, sheriff's office, and four municipal police departments. The local ordinance (§ 35-23) mirrors the state definition, explicitly listing the Sheriff's Office as a covered law enforcement agency. The board appoints 2 civilians to the 5-member ACC, with the remaining 3 appointed by the County Executive. The ACC reviews investigations and recommends discipline; the final decision rests with the relevant LE agency head. One of the few paid PABs in the state ($10,000/year for voting members).
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Legislative appointment |
|---|---|
| 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); Montgomery County Code § 35-24 (Expedited Bill 49-21, enacted April 2022)
- Citation
- Md. Pub. Safety § 3-102; Mont. Cty. Code § 35-24
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, City of Gaithersburg PD, City of Rockville PD, City of Takoma Park PD, and other municipal police departments in the county