The Police Accountability Board (PAB) is made up of seven residents from Kent County, all appointed by the County Commissioners.  To the extent practicable, they shall represent the seven [7] voting districts of the county.

To qualify, members must be a resident for at least one [1] year, be registered to vote in the county, not be active law enforcement officers, and have no prior felony convictions.

The Police Accountability Board shall: 

• Hold quarterly meetings (or more frequently if deemed necessary) with heads of law enforcement agencies in the County and otherwise work with law enforcement agencies and the County government to improve matters of policing;
• Adopt rules of procedure, which may be amended from time to time, as a majority of the PAB may deem necessary and appropriate.
• Receive complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public against a police officer who is employed within the county and forward that complaint to that officer’s agency within 3 days of receipt.
• Review the outcomes of disciplinary matters considered by the Administrative Charging Committee.
• Submit an annual report (by Dec. 31st) to the County Commissioners that identifies any trends in the disciplinary process of police officers in Kent County, and makes recommendations on changes to policy that would improve police accountability.

Members are chosen and appointed by the Kent County Commissioners for four [4] year terms and may serve a second term – consecutive or not.

Administrative Charging Committee

The Trial Board adjudicates matters for which a police officer or deputy is subject to discipline. The Trial Board meets when the decision of the Police Chief or Sheriff is appealed by an officer.

As required by law, the Trial Board includes 3 members - an active or retired administrative law judge, or a retired district or circuit court judge, appointed by the County Executive; a civilian who is not a member of an administrative charging committee, appointed by the Police Accountability Board; and a police officer of equal rank to the accused officer, appointed by the Chief of Police that employs the officer subject to the complaint.

A separate Trial Board will be convened for each incident and only when requested by the officer.

Please click here if you’re Interested in the Judge or Citizen positions

RESOLUTION 2022-11

 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND

KENT COUNTY POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD

RULES OF PROCEDURE

SECTION 1.      Board Meetings.

1.01.    Commencement and Voting

(a)     The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman or a majority of its members.

(b)     A quorum consists of at least a majority of its authorized members.

(c)     An affirmative vote of at least a majority of its authorized members shall be necessary for any action of the Commission.

1.02.     Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, the Commission shall meet in open session and maintain minutes of its meetings.

1.03.     The Commission shall meet in closed session whenever it is considering a Complaint until a final determination is made regarding disposition of the Complaint.

SECTION 2.     Confidentiality.

2.01.    General Rules.

(a)        Except as set forth in paragraph 2.02, following the filing of Complaint the proceedings, meetings and activities of the Commission in connection with the Complaint shall be conducted in a strict confidence.

(b)      Except as set forth in paragraph 2.02, the Commission, its agents or employees, the Complainant, and the Respondent may not disclose any information relating to the Complaint, including the identity of the Complainant and the Respondent.

2.02. Exceptions.

(a)     Confidentiality does not apply to referral or release of information to a prosecuting authority.

If you would prefer, you may call the Police Accountability Board directly on (410) 778-7496 and ask to speak with the Accountability Officer directly about your complaint. The information you provide will help investigate your complaint. The appropriate law enforcement agency or the Police Accountability Board may contact you for additional information and eventually will respond to you with the results of the investigation of your complaint.

Kent County Consolidated Complaint Against Personnel Form

Click here for a printable PDF version

1. https://sheriff.kentcounty.com/
2. https://townofchestertown.com/chestertown-police-department/
3. https://www.rockhallmd.com/police
4. https://mpctc.dpscs.maryland.gov/reform.htm