1
POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY
BOARD
REPORT
2022
Angela D. Alsobrooks
County ExecuƟve
2
Prince George’s County
Police Accountability Board
9200 Basil Court, Suite 406
Largo, Maryland 20774
Phone: 301-883-5042
Fax: 301-883-2655
Email: [email protected]
3
Message from Chair 1
ExecuƟve Summary 2
Overview 3
OrganizaƟonal Structure 5
Board Members 6
Our Team 11
Law Enforcement Agencies 12
Board MeeƟngs 13
Complaint AcƟvity 15
Complaint Process 16
Next Steps 18
The Journey 20
HB670 Workgroup 21
LegislaƟon 22
PAB Appointments 24
Budget 27
Personnel 27
LogisƟcs and OperaƟons 29
Reference Links 32
CONTENTS
4
In 2021, the Maryland General Assembly passed a legislaƟve package of police reform bills focused on improving police accountability throughout the
State. This bill package was later codified as the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021. Among other things, the Act required each County to establish three Accountability Boards not later than July 1, 2022. Two of the
enƟƟes, the AdministraƟve Charging CommiƩee (ACC), and the AdministraƟve Hearing Board (AHB), were tasked with reviewing police misconduct
invesƟgaƟons and determining disciplinary acƟons. The third enƟty, the Police Accountability Board (PAB) was charged with reviewing the decisions of
the ACC and AHB to determine trends and make policy recommendaƟons
regarding best pracƟces and transparency.
AŌer passage of the Act, County ExecuƟve Angela Alsobrooks convened a HB 670 Work Group to develop local legislaƟon and guidance to implement the State’s mandates. The Work Group, which was comprised of ciƟzens and public safety and County representaƟves, took on the difficult legislaƟve and logisƟcal challenges of operaƟonalizing the three enƟƟes. At the same Ɵme, the County ExecuƟve and County Council engaged in an extensive and transparent process to select members to serve on each of the
enƟƟes.
On November 2, 2022, the members of the PAB were sworn-in and soon aŌer began meeƟng as a body.
To date, the PAB has focused on reviewing and updaƟng policies and guidance, training on the Open
MeeƟngs Act, selecƟng civilian representaƟves to the ACC, beginning the selecƟon of civilian members
to the AHB, and draŌing the 2022 Annual Report. The PAB has not begun tracking trends or making policy recommendaƟons because case outcome data is not yet available. The Board looks forward to beginning this work in 2023.
Although together for just a short Ɵme, PAB members have worked diligently and expediƟously to meet
their legislaƟve mandates. Members have also placed a premium on being transparent and responsive.
I am honored to serve as Chair of this outstanding group of community representaƟves and look forward to helping ensure the highest levels of police accountability and transparency.
Sincerely,
Kelvin Davall, Chair
Message from the Chair
1 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
Kelvin Davall
Board Chair
5
The Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 requires the Police Accountability Board (PAB) to
submit a report on or before December 31st of each year to the County ExecuƟve and the County
Council. The report’s is retrospecƟve and should idenƟfy any trends in the disciplinary process of
police officers in the County and make recommendaƟons on changes to policy that would improve
police accountability.
Ten (10) members of the PAB were sworn in on November 2, 2022 and the Chair convened the first
meeƟng of the Board on November 14, 2022. The priority for the Board was the appointments of
two community members to serve on the AdministraƟve Charging CommiƩee (ACC) and two or
more members to serve on the AdministraƟve Hearing Board (AHB). The appointed members of the
ACC and AHB must complete state-mandated Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission
(MPTSC) training course before commencing their work. Once the ACC and AHB members have
completed the mandated MPTSC training course, both enƟƟes will officially begin execuƟng their
duƟes.
This inaugural PAB Annual Report provides a review of the Board’s structure, member appointment
process, and acƟviƟes conducted by the Board during November and December 2022. The report
also provides a summary of police complaints received by the Board’s administraƟve staff for the
period July 1, 2022 through December 23, 2022, as well as a review of the process to establish a PAB
in Prince George’s County. The statutorily required start date for the PAB and the public’s use of the
new police complaint process was July 1, 2022.
Because the ACC and AHB have not begun their work as a body, data regarding the disciplinary
outcomes for police officers in the County was not available for trends analysis by the PAB. As a
result, the PAB did not have data to offer policy recommendaƟons in this report. The Board
anƟcipates both disciplinary trend analysis and policy recommendaƟons will be core components of
next year’s PAB Annual Report.
ExecuƟve Summary
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 2
6
In accordance with State and local law, acomplete list of the statutory duƟes of the
PAB also includes the following:
· Hold quarterly meeƟngs with law
enforcement agency heads and work
with law enforcement agencies and
local governments to improve police
services;
· On (at least) a quarterly basis, review the
disciplinary outcomes of maƩers
submiƩed to the Board by the ACC
Boards;
· At least once a year on or before
December 31, submit a report to the
County ExecuƟve and County Council;
· Appoint two (2) civilian members to the
AdministraƟve Charging CommiƩee;
· Appoint one or more civilian members to
the AHB(s) in the County;
· Receive complaints of police misconduct
filed by members of the public, and
within three (3) business days from the
date of receipt, forward complaints to
the appropriate law enforcement agency
for invesƟgaƟon;
· Maintain records and establish a record
retenƟon schedule in accordance with
State law;
· Maintain confidenƟality relaƟng to all
maƩers before the PAB; and
· Otherwise abide by all Federal, State and
County laws, and develop rules of
procedure not inconsistent with such
laws.
Overview
3 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
DiscreƟonary DuƟes
In addiƟon to its statutory duƟes, the PAB will
also consider the following discreƟonary duƟes:
· Meet periodically with members of the
public and community leaders to
discuss the details of its annual report
(s) and respond to any inquiries about
policing in the County;
· AƩend town halls and other significant
community events in which policerelated maƩers are discussed; and
· AƩend training as deemed necessary
by the PAB chair or as directed by the
Maryland Police Training and
Standards Commission. Training may
include but is not limited to Use of
Force Training, Grand Jury Training,
and Judgment Enhancement Training.
7
In 2021, the Maryland General Assembly
passed a legislaƟve package of police reform
bills, subsequently codified as the Maryland
Police Accountability Act of 2021. HB670,
the most comprehensive bill contained in
the Act, repealed and replaced significant
provisions of Maryland’s Law Enforcement
Officers’ Bill of Rights and mandated that
each county, BalƟmore City and state law
enforcement establish Police Accountability
Boards, effecƟve July 1, 2022.
In December 2021, County ExecuƟve Angela
D. Alsobrooks established the HB670
Workgroup to implement the operaƟonal
requirements of the Maryland Police
Accountability Act of 2021. This work began
in earnest in January 2022. In order to meet
the July 1, 2022, deadline for establishing
the Prince George’s County PAB, subcommiƩees were created to focus on
planning in several key areas.
As the Office of the Law draŌed police
reform legislaƟon, the Office of the County
ExecuƟve implemented a process for
selecƟng ciƟzens to serve on the PAB. This
process began in January 2022. AŌer an
applicaƟon, interview, and veƫng process,
in March 2022, the County ExecuƟve
nominated eleven ciƟzens to the PAB.
In March 2022, the County ExecuƟve also
introduced a legislaƟve package of four
police reform bills. AŌer a series of public
debates, the County Council enacted all four
bills, including CB-21-2022, which formally
established the Prince George’s County PAB.
The enactment of CB-21-2022
fundamentally changed how PAB members
would be selected. It mandated that the
County ExecuƟve and the County Council
share the responsibility for appoinƟng Board
members. The bill also mandated a public
engagement process for these appointment.
The applicaƟon and nominaƟon process was
reopened in September 2022.
AŌer several public listening sessions, the
selected and subsequently swore in ten
members on November 2, 2022. An
eleventh member, appointed by the County
ExecuƟve, will be confirmed in January 2023.
The PAB conducted its first meeƟng on
November 14, 2022, to begin the process for
making appointments. On November 29
2022, the PAB completed its iniƟal round of
mandated appointments by selecƟng two
people to serve on the ACC.
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 4
8
PAB OrganizaƟonal Structure
Deputy Chief AdministraƟve Officer
for Public Safety and Homeland Security
Office of the County ExecuƟve
Director,
Office of Integrity, Compliance and Police
Accountability
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY
Program Administrator
Program Associate AdministraƟve Aide
Legal Counsel
Approved 9/2022
5 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
Prince George 9 ’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 6
Board Members
Shelia Bryant, Esq. is a pracƟcing aƩorney in the areas of Family
Law, Bankruptcy and Estate Planning. She is a cerƟfied Inspector
General and has served in this capacity while on acƟve duty in the
USMC and with the Federal Government. She was awarded a
Bronze Star Medal during her tour of duty with the United States
Marine Corps and reƟred as a Colonel. She is affiliated with mulƟple organizaƟons, including: League of Women Voters; J. Franklin
Bourne Bar AssociaƟon; Progressive Maryland's Returning CiƟzen
Task Force; and is a member of the ExecuƟve Board of the Prince
George's County NAACP.
Sheila Bryant is originally from McComb, MS and grew up in Los
Angeles, CA. She has resided in Prince George’s County since 2009.
She is proud to live in such a rich and diverse area that has so much
to offer in terms of culture, entertainment and community. She has immersed herself in the affairs of
Prince George’s County and volunteers frequently with organizaƟons and individuals to promote jusƟce and equity. She applied to the PAB to promote public trust for law enforcement and safety for ciƟzens without abusive conduct by those who are empowered to protect and serve. Her goal is to ensure
transparency and accountability and make recommendaƟons for improved policy and pracƟce. Shelia
Bryant is a proud wife, mother and grandmother.
Andrea Coleman, PhD is the Principal Researcher at KLK Research Group, a research firm bridging the gap between research,
policy, and pracƟce via data analysis, translaƟonal, acƟon-oriented
research, evidence-based pracƟces, and training. Dr. Coleman previously worked in local, state, and Federal criminal and juvenile
jusƟce systems, including as a law enforcement civilian employee.
While employed at the U.S. Department of JusƟce, Dr. Coleman
trained over 500 criminal and juvenile jusƟce stakeholders in 36
states on evidence-based system improvement strategies, data
collecƟon and analysis, and culture change. Dr. Coleman also
serves on the Prince George's County Hope in AcƟon Violence PrevenƟon Task Force, and in this capacity, she also aggregates and
analyzes crime data and trends.
Dr. Coleman has lived in Prince George’s County for over 15 years. AŌer relocaƟng from Kentucky, she
purposely chose to reside in Prince George's County due to its vibrant communiƟes and culture, its
cuisine, and, most importantly, its people. Dr. Coleman applied to the PAB to serve Prince George's
County and assist with developing and recommending strategies to increase trust between law enforcement and the community while holding officers appropriately accountable.
7 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report 10
Keenon James is the Senior Director of the Everytown Survivor
Network at Everytown for Gun Safety. For nearly two decades,
Mr. James has commiƩed to bridging the gap between law enforcement and the communiƟes they serve. Mr. James has served
in leadership roles with President Obama's Policing PracƟces and
Accountability IniƟaƟve; the U.S. Department of JusƟce, Office of
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office); and the NaƟonal OrganizaƟon of Black Law Enforcement ExecuƟves. He is an
acƟve member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., North Carolina
Central University Alumni AssociaƟon and the NAACP, Prince
George's County Branch.
Mr. James was born, raised, and conƟnues to live in Prince
George's County. He has skills and experience implemenƟng police reforms naƟonally and desires to use his skillset while serving as a Board Member. Mr. James’ goal
is to work to idenƟfy and address systemic changes needed for policing pracƟces in the County, as
well as develop inclusive opportuniƟes for the community to engage in public safety strategies. Mr.
James considers Prince George’s County home because it’s the community that poured into him and
helped him achieve .his full potenƟal. Mr. James is a third generaƟon Prince Georgian and is proudly
raising his family’s fourth generaƟon to call Prince George’s County home.
Kelvin Davall, PAB Chair, is an engineer with HewleƩ Packard. As
a community leader, Chair Davall has deep roots in Prince George’s
County and has used his skills and knowledge to serve the community in various capaciƟes, such as: working with many elected County officials to improve the quality of life for all Prince Georgians,
meditaƟng community and neighbourhood disputes and volunteering throughout the County in various capaciƟes. Chair Davall is also
the current Homeowner’s AssociaƟon Board President of his community and has served in this capacity for over seven years.
Chair Davall was born in Washington D.C. and has considered
Prince George’s County home for 10 years. Chair Davall loved serving his community members and wishes to represent the ciƟzens of
Prince George's County with deserved dignity and respect. Chair
Davall completed the Prince George’s County CiƟzen’s Police Academy and is a former member of the
CiƟzens Complaint Oversight Panel. Chair Davall’s goal in serving on the PAB is to provide oversight of
Prince George’s County law enforcement agencies and to hold officers accountable to ensure training
protocols are followed when interacƟng with ciƟzens. Chair Davall is proud of the resident’s desire to
assist with improving the quality of life and making Prince George’s County the best that it can be.
Prince George 11 ’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 8
LafayeƩe Melton is a Senior Human Resources professional, diversity advocate, and change agent. He has 17 years of experƟse in
diversity and inclusion, leadership development, recruiƟng, workforce planning, coaching, and policy. His career reflects a track record of helping organizaƟons value diversity and inclusion. He is a
graduate of Cornell University's Diversity and Inclusion cerƟficate
program and has received numerous awards for his work in DEI
and Equal Employment Opportunity. His affiliaƟons include:
Founding Member of the InnovaƟon Exchange Council, Graduate
of Building FoundaƟons of Visionary Leadership, Graduate of
American Management AssociaƟon’s EffecƟve ExecuƟve Public
Speaking, Graduate of FHWA’s Leadership Development Academy.
Mr. Melton has been a resident of Prince George’s County for 36
years. He takes great pride in the County’s rich history of Black excellence and is happy to see so
many County residents accomplish legendary achievements. While serving on the PAB, he hopes to
play a role in insƟlling confidence that police officers will enforce the laws with valor, honesty, and
respect. He is a firm believer that people should be the change they want to see. Serving on the PAB
will afford him the opportunity to help create the changes he believes will improve relaƟons between
residents and law enforcement and create a safer County for everyone.
Earl O’Neal reƟred aŌer serving as a Union RepresentaƟve for
over 30 years. Mr. O’Neal’s community involvement includes service as a Board Member with the South County Economic Development AssociaƟon; Tantallon CiƟzens AssociaƟon, Member; Maryland Business and Clergy Partnership, Board Member; and
Friendly High School PTSA and AthleƟc Booster, Club Treasurer.
Mr. O’Neal’s youth involvement includes reviewing disciplinary
maƩers for the youth diversion program with the Juvenile Division
of the Community Public Awareness Council (C-PAC). Mr. O’Neal
has also volunteered with the Olde Mill FoundaƟon to help grow
true partnerships between communiƟes and law enforcement.
Mr. O’Neal has resided in Prince George’s County for 28 years.
With over 30 years as a labor and community organizer, Mr.
O’Neal worked to solve problems by listening to understand the issues from all sides and bringing people together to invest in a plan to address concerns. He applied to the PAB because Prince George’s
County is his community. His goal is to ensure that law enforcement and community members receive
fair and honest consideraƟon of their complaints. He believes Prince George’s County can be the best
in the State of Maryland. Mr. O’Neal was born in Washington D.C. and raised four college graduates
while living in Prince George’s County.
9 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report 12
Marsha Ridley, a cerƟfied public housing manager and licensed
mechanical engineer, is a Boiler Plant Engineer with the Government of the District of Columbia. During her tenure with the District Government, she converted a unit in a troubled public housing facility into an on-sight educaƟonal and mulƟ-service center
with the successful goal of increasing police presence. For over 20
years, she has been an acƟve member of the Mitchellville Foxlake
Community AssociaƟon and engages in mulƟple civic acƟviƟes
throughout the County. With over 40 years of experƟse in public
safety and community engagement, she believes in and has experience in police accountability oversight and has experƟse working with vulnerable communiƟes.
Having lived in Prince George’s County for over 23 years and
served as a member of the former CiƟzen Complaint Oversight Panel for two years, she has an ongoing interest in improving public safety and policing. She brings relevant knowledge and experience to
her new role. Ms. Ridley’s goal, while serving on the PAB, is to increase police accountability and adherence to protocols while protecƟng our residents and visitors and to facilitate Ɵmely response to
police complaints. She is proud of the quality of life the County affords its ciƟzens and takes great
pride in its leadership. She is the mother of 4 children, grandmother of 7 and great-grandmother of 2.
Carlo Sanchez is the Asst. Director of Public Safety for the Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. He is a former
Maryland State Delegate, represenƟng District 47B in Prince
George’s County. During his tenure as a Delegate, Mr. Sanchez
served on the Judiciary CommiƩee, the County’s DelegaƟon Law
Enforcement SubcommiƩee, as Chair of the Maryland LegislaƟve
LaƟno Caucus, and was the former Secretary of the Prince George's
County DemocraƟc Central CommiƩee. His community involvement includes serving as an Elder at the Washington Spanish Bilingual SDA Church and former President of the Carole Highlands
Neighbourhood AssociaƟon.
Carlo Sanchez has lived in Prince George’s County for 40 years. With over 20 years of career public
safety knowledge at a higher learning insƟtute. His experience includes, serving as a public safety
officer, supervising an enƟre department where his responsibiliƟes included invesƟgaƟng and resolving community complaints against subordinate police officers. His objecƟve, while serving on the PAB,
is to bridge the gap between the Police, the County, and the LaƟno Community of Prince George's
County, by working to provide transparency around policing. He considers Prince George’s County a
diverse community, with many cultures and ethniciƟes. Mr. Sanchez’s parents immigrated to the
Langley Park region, of the County, where they chose to lay roots and raise a family.
PHOTO
UNAVAILABLE
Prince George 13 ’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 10
Tamika Springs, Esq. invesƟgates claims of employment discriminaƟon and writes final agency decisions in her role as an Independent Contractor with the Federal Government. Mrs. Springs has
mulƟple years of liƟgaƟon experience in various areas of law, including: administraƟve law, special educaƟon law, equal employment opportunity and veterans' law. During her employment as an
Assistant AƩorney General with the District of Columbia, Mrs.
Springs represented the Metropolitan Police Department with regards to their disciplinary acƟons. Mrs. Springs is a cerƟfied Equal
Employment Opportunity InvesƟgator. She is a member of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Mrs. Springs has resided in Prince George’s County for over 10
years. She believes Prince George’s County has an abundance of opportuniƟes. Mrs. Springs’ love for
Prince George’s County and her desire to give back led her to serve on the PAB. Mrs. Springs’ goal is to
promote open dialogue and communicaƟon between the members of the community and law enforcement. Mrs. Springs has been married for over 14 years to her wonderful husband and has two
children.
Daniel Vergamini is a Lead Inspector/Team Manager in a federal
Office of the Inspector General. He has examined and provided
oversight for federal programs and operaƟons in varied federal
Offices of Inspectors General for over 15 years. Mr. Vergamini
served in the Army Guard and Air Force Reserves for over 21 years,
including several acƟve-duty tours.
Daniel Vergamini has resided in Prince George’s County for 6 years.
Mr. Vergamini served on the CiƟzen Complaint Oversight Panel for
three years, reviewing police acƟons, internal affairs invesƟgaƟons,
and ciƟzen complaints, prior to the enactment of the Police Accountability Act of 2021.
14
Our Team
L. Denise Hall
Tangi Allen
Program Associate
Ashley M. RiƩer
AdministraƟve Aide
Marva Jo Camp
Contract AƩorney
11 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
The PAB team has extensive experience working in police accountability and government operaƟons. The PAB’s Program Administrator has 22 years experience managing the former Prince
George’s County CiƟzen’s Complaint Oversight Panel (CCOP), as well as an addiƟonal 10 years
experience managing programs in various County agencies. The PAB’s Program Associate has 10
years of experience working in the Office of the County ExecuƟve staff and 11 combined years
working with the County’s Office of Law, Office of the State’s AƩorney and Police Department.
The AdministraƟve Aide has 15 years of experience providing administraƟve support to CCOP.
For over 30 years , the PAB’s Contract AƩorney has served as legal advisor to various County
Boards and Commissions. She also served as legal counsel to the CCOP for 5 years.
15
Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA)
Berwyn Heights Bladensburg Bowie Brentwood Capitol Heights Cheverly
Colmar Manor CoƩage City District Heights Edmonston Fairmont
Heights
Forest Heights
Glenarden Greenbelt HyaƩsville Landover Hills Laurel Morningside
Mount Rainier Prince George’s
Fire Marshall
Prince George’s
Police
Sheriff
Riverdale Park Seat Pleasant
University of
Maryland
University Park Upper Marlboro
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 12
16
Board MeeƟngs
In-person Board meeƟngs are held at 9200 Basil Court, in one of two conference rooms on
the 4th floor. Each space as been equipped with Smart technology and accommodaƟons to
facilitate public sessions via an online plaƞorm or in person. The PAB held the following
sessions in 2022.
November 14, 2022 - The PAB held its first public session. The public was able to view this
meeƟng via Zoom. DCAO for Public Safety and Homeland Security, Barry Stanton provided
greeƟngs on behalf of County ExecuƟve Alsobrooks. The Board also heard several
presentaƟons, which included a summary of various pieces of State legislaƟon that focused
on police reform presented by County AƩorney Rhonda Weaver and an Ethics briefing by
Office of Ethics and Accountability’s Compliance Officer, Roslyn Walker. Also on the agenda
were the Board’s appointment of two ciƟzens to serve on the AdministraƟve Charging
CommiƩee and two or more ciƟzens to the AdministraƟve Hearing Board.
November 16, 2022 - The Board met in a public session that was subsequently closed to
begin the process of selecƟng its two appointees to the ACC. In closed session, the Board
reviewed fiŌeen applicaƟons submiƩed by individuals interested in serving on the
commiƩee, and approved three finalists for interviews.
November 22, 2022—In a closed session, the Board prepared nine specific interview
quesƟons for the finalists and prepared for the interviews.
November 29, 2022—Interviews of the three finalists were conducted in an administraƟve
session. Serenity GarneƩ and Cardell Montague were selected as the PAB’s appointees to the
ACC.
13 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
Prince George 17 ’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 14
December 14, 2022— The Board began the process for appoinƟng one or more civilian
members to serve on the AHB. They deliberated on the number of civilians to appoint, as
well as the applicaƟon and recruitment process. The Board decided to conduct a hybrid
process. The Board would review applicaƟons of ciƟzens who were veƩed by the County
ExecuƟve and the County Council for appointment to the ACC and PAB, but were not
selected to serve on either body would be reviewed first. AŌer this review, if the Board
wants to expand the pool of applicants, a call for applicaƟons would be adverƟsed. The
Board also developed a broad set of qualificaƟons for selecƟng PAB appointees. The
following criteria of soŌ skills were established. Board members were asked to develop
interview quesƟons based on those skills.
· Ethics
· Flexibility/Availability
· Ability to Travel the County
· Logic and Reasoning
· Reading Comprehension
December 21, 2022— In a closed session, the interview quesƟons proposed by Board
members were reviewed. The Board selected a set of quesƟons designed to assess
candidates Ɵme management, reasoning, and criƟcal thinking. The Board also began its
review of the first set of applicaƟons being considered for the AHB posiƟons. It was
determined that veƩed applicants for the PAB and ACC posiƟons will be contacted to
determine their interest in serving on the AHB, with a response date of January 6, 2023. The
Board reviewed all applicaƟons and selected the first cohort for consideraƟon, conƟngent
upon their interest in serving. The Board also confirmed its intenƟon to open the process to
new applicaƟons, if needed.
December 28, 2022 - The Board met in an administraƟve session to finalize the 2022 Annual
Report, which is due for submission to the County ExecuƟve and the County Council on or
before December 31, 2022.
18
Complaint AcƟvity
Complaints Received Monthly
Source of Complaint
Categories of
Misconduct Alleged
43 complaints received
100% referred with 3 days
2 referred for independent
invesƟgaƟons*
*Complaints against the head of the involved
law enforcement agency.
The PAB staff received 43 incoming complaints involving officers in 9 County LEAs, during the period July 1, 2022 to
December 23, 2022. Below is a staƟsƟcal review of those complaints. These numbers reflect complaints submiƩed
to the PAB, and may also include complaints that LEAs received directly, then forwarded to the PAB.
15 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
Involved Law
Enforcement Agencies
Mandate
“To receive complaints of police misconduct
filed by members of the public, and within
three (3) days from the date of receipt,
forward these complaints to the appropriate
law enforcement agency for invesƟgaƟon.”
19
Complaint Process
WHO CAN FILE A COMPLAINT
· An alleged vicƟm of police misconduct;
· Any individual having personal knowledge of alleged police misconduct;
· Any person filing the complaint on behalf of either person described above; or
· A person who is in possession of or has access to a video or audio recording that
captures the alleged police misconduct.
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPLAINT
All complaints of police misconduct filed with the PAB must include the following
informaƟon:
· The name of the officer(s) accused of alleged misconduct;
· A descripƟon of the facts on which the complaint is based; and
· Contact informaƟon of the complainant or a person filing on behalf of the complainant.
· You may also include any documentaƟon, video or audio recordings, or other materials
that may consƟtute potenƟal evidence related the complaint.
WHERE TO FILE THE COMPLAINT
A complaint may be completed electronically on the PAB’s webpage. Complaints can
also be downloaded and print a copy of your completed Complaint Form and
· email [email protected].,
· Fax to 301-883-2655, or
· Mail to 9200 Basil Court, Suite 406, Largo, Maryland 20774
For assistance or to request that a complaint form be sent to you via mail or email,
please call the PAB on 301-883-5042.
WITHDRAWING THE COMPLAINT
A complaint of misconduct may be withdrawn, in wriƟng, up to the Ɵme the complaint
has been transferred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for review. If a complainant
wants to withdraw the complaint aŌer it has been transferred, they must contact the law
enforcement agency directly to make that request.
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 16
17 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report 20
21
Strategic Focus
The Board’s FY2023 strategic focus will be:
· CollaboraƟng regularly with law enforcement agency heads to examine policing among
agencies and make recommendaƟons for improvement;
· Improving police responsiveness to public complaints of misconduct;
· Improving overall police accountability; and
· Keeping the public informed on maƩers related to police misconduct.
Strategic Planning
Develop a 2-year strategic plan based on the mission and objecƟves of the PAB to engage
stakeholders, conduct performance assessments, and establish an efficient and effecƟve
process for measuring progress over Ɵme, by June 30, 2023.
Outreach
ParƟcipate in at least two outreach events to advance the public's understanding of law
enforcement oversight; encourage community parƟcipaƟon in oversight; and promote trusted
relaƟonships between the community and law enforcement, by June 30, 2023.
Training
Provide quarterly, formalized training and guidance for PAB members and staff to acquire the
understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary to perform civilian oversight in law
enforcement and ensure consistent execuƟon of their authority, by June 30, 2023.
Technology
Collaborate with the Office of InformaƟon and Technology to facilitate efficient and effecƟve
PAB operaƟons by developing, enhancing, and implemenƟng technology plans that include at
least four major components: online presence; data collecƟon; periodic reporƟng; and
informaƟon sharing, by June 30, 2022.
Proposed Next Steps
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 18
19 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report 22
23
The Journey: Establishing a Police
Accountability Board in Prince
George’s County
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 20
24
The HB 670 Workgroup was comprised of
over thirty representaƟves from various
County government departments and
agencies responsible for implemenƟng the
operaƟonal components of Maryland Police
Accountability Act of 2021 and the County
Code. These included: Office of Law, Office
of Central Service, Office of Human
Resource Management, County Council,
Office of the County ExecuƟve, Office of
InformaƟon and Technology, Office of
Management and Budget, and Office of
Integrity, Compliance and Police
Accountability. Also included were
representaƟves from the Prince George’s
County Police Department, CiƟzen
Complaint Oversight Panel, and municipal
police departments and fraternal
organizaƟons.
This workgroup assessed the needs of the
planning project, defined the scope of work
to be done, and assigned members to three
sub-groups to complete tasks in the major
planning areas noted in the above
illustraƟon. These subgroups included:
· LegislaƟon and Appointments
· Budget and Personnel
· LogisƟcs and OperaƟons
The HB670 Workgroup and subgroups met
at least twice monthly, from December 2021
through the present. Their acƟons and
results are covered as follows.
HB670 Workgroup
HB460
Workgroup
Budget
Personnel
LegislaƟon
Appointments
LogisƟcs
OperaƟons
21 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
25
Prince George’s County and 23
other jurisdicƟons in Maryland were
required to pass police accountability
measures based on comprehensive
legislaƟon passed in 2021 by the General
Assembly. The following acƟons were
taken to draŌ and pass legislaƟon to enact
these measures in the County.
March 18, 2022 —AŌer a series of draŌs,
the Office of Law and the Office of the
County ExecuƟve transmiƩed to the
County Council a legislaƟve package of
four (4) bills addressing police
accountability. This package included the
following measures:
· CB-21-2022 - To implement the
Maryland Police Accountability Act
of 2021 and established a Police
Accountability Board, an
AdministraƟve Charging CommiƩee
and Trial Boards for Prince George’s
County and its municipaliƟes. This
legislaƟon established qualificaƟons
for board and commiƩee members,
method of appointment and process
for selecƟng the PAB Board
chairperson; and provided a process
for receiving police misconduct
complaints.
· CB-22-2022 - To repeal the CiƟzen
Complaint Oversight Panel.
· CB-23-2022 - To repeal the County
Police Department Use of Force
statutory provision respecƟvely as
part of the new Prince George’s
County laws being enacted in
accordance with the State of
Maryland Police Accountability Act.
· CB-24-2022 - To address parƟcipaƟon
by public safety employees in certain
maƩers and use of County resources
by police officers during parƟcipaƟon
in those maƩers. Specifically, to
amend and clarify prohibited conduct
for employees of Prince George’s
County.
May 31, 2022 – The Council’s CommiƩee
of the Whole convened a hybrid session to
review the proposed legislaƟon. Following
public tesƟmony, and aŌer several
proposed amendments, the Council held
the measures for further consideraƟon.
June 6 and 7, 2022 - The Council convened
a public hearing to review the proposed
legislaƟon and subsequent amendments.
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 22
26
These amendments included, but were
not limited to, the following key
provisions:
· The budget for the ACC and PAB
must be equal to 1.5% of the Police
Department Budget. For the FY23
budget, that amount was set at 1%.
· The County ExecuƟve selects five
PAB nominees, plus the Chair, who
are confirmed by the County Council.
The County Council selects five
nominees.
· A public engagement process for all
PAB nominees, proposed by the
County ExecuƟve and confirmed by
the County Council.
July 5, 2022—The Council held a public
hearing on July 5, 2022, and enacted the
enƟre legislaƟve package, and the Prince
George’s County Police Accountability Board
(CB-21-2022) became effecƟve on August 19,
2022.
23 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
27
The County ExecuƟve iniƟally
proposed the appointment of a seven
-member board, to match the
composiƟon of the then CCOP. The
first recruitment announcement for
the PAB posiƟons was released on
January 3, 2022, and the deadline to
apply was January 28, 2022. Over
ninety-five applicaƟons were
received. On February 17 –18, 2022,
thirty-five individuals were
interviewed by a panel consisƟng of
staff from the Office of the County
ExecuƟve and County Council;
community members; and local
police chiefs. Realizing the need for
increased diversity, the County
ExecuƟve selected from this group.
When CB-21-2022 required the Office
of the County ExecuƟve and County
Council to each appoint members to
the PAB and that a public
engagement process
established for all
prospecƟve nominees,
the nominaƟon and
applicaƟon process was
reopened.
On August 29, 2022, the
County Council
convened a Special
Virtual Council Session
and CommiƩee of the
Whole to address a
resoluƟon establishing a
public engagement
process. AŌerward, the County ExecuƟve and the County Council conducted separate selecƟon
processes.
PAB Appointments
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 24
28
On September 22, 2022, the County
ExecuƟve held a Virtual Public Forum for
residents to hear from the County
ExecuƟve’s potenƟal nominees to the PAB.
The following five nominees, including her
selecƟon for the Chair, were presented.
The sixth nominee will be presented in
January 2023, when the County Council
returns to session.
Shelia F. Bryant
Kelvin D. Davall, Chair
LafayeƩe Melton
Marsha Ridley
Daniel Vergamini
A similar process was implemented by the
County Council. On September 27, 2022, the
Council conducted a listening session and
seventeen candidates spoke before the
Council. Public comments, leƩers of
support, and potenƟal candidate quesƟons
were submiƩed to the Council. The Council
selected the following five candidates for
appointment to the PAB.
Andrea Coleman
Keenon James
Earl O’Neal
Tamika Springs
Carlo Sanchez
Ten PAB candidates were appointed and
sworn in on November 2, 2022, and the PAB
held its first board meeƟng on November
25 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
29
14, 2022. The first item of
business presented to the
PAB was its statutory
obligaƟon to select two
ciƟzens to serve on the
AdministraƟve Charging
CommiƩee (ACC). The PAB is
also charged with selecƟng
two or more ciƟzens to serve
on the AdministraƟve Hearing
Board.
Swearing-in Ceremony. From LeŌ to Right: Shelia Bryant, Keenon James, LafayeƩe Melton, Kelvin Davall, Earl
O’Neal, Marsha Ridley, and Tamika Springs. Not Pictured: Andrea Coleman and Daniel Vergamini.
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 26
30
The HB670 Workgroup developed and presented to the County Council a FY23 budget
package in the amount of $499,000. This
budget was approved by the Council in the
regular budget session. It covered compensaƟon and fringe benefits for the police accountability board to employ three-full Ɵme
employees, sƟpends for board members,
contract aƩorney cost, and operaƟng and
administraƟve costs.
An amendment to CB 22-2022 included
funding the Police Accountability Board and
the AdministraƟve Charging CommiƩee at
least 1% percent of the police department’s
general fund budget. The F23 Budget was
subsequently increased to $579,600.
CompensaƟon $251,500
OperaƟons $237,800
Fringe $ 90,300
PERSONNEL & OPERATING EXPENSES
% TOTAL EXPENDITURES
$579K 3.0 Total
Total
FTEs
41% 43%
16%
The iniƟal staff of the PAB include the
following permanent, full-Ɵme posiƟons.
EffecƟve on July 1, 2022, the former CCOP’s
AdministraƟve Specialist was transferred to
the PAB’s Program Administrator posiƟon
and the CCOP’s AdministraƟve Aide was
transferred to the PAB’s AdministraƟve Aide
posiƟon. The Program Associate posiƟon
was filled by a staff person transferred from
the Office of the County ExecuƟve.
Plans and organizes the work of the Board;
advises the Chair and its members; carries
out the PAB’s direcƟves and prepares the
PAB for its periodic meeƟngs; tracks,
organizes, and synthesizes a variety of data
to present to the PAB, including data on
best pracƟces, policies, training, disciplinary
acƟons, and legislaƟve acƟons that may
27 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report 00
31
affect law enforcement policies, pracƟces,
and procedures; provides program
management; oversees and manages all
aspects of the organizaƟon in the areas of
administraƟon, finance, personnel, and
program iniƟaƟves to facilitate the daily
operaƟons of the PAB.
Under the direcƟon of the Program
Administrator, provides operaƟonal,
programmaƟc, and administraƟve
assistance to the Board, performing a
variety of comprehensive administraƟve,
coordinaƟon, and logisƟcal services in
support of the PAB operaƟons; assists with
liaison and outreach efforts between the
PAB and County and elected officials,
municipal authoriƟes, Federal, State, and
local government agencies, industry
representaƟves, residents of Prince
George's County, and other stakeholders.
AdministraƟve Aide/Secretary
Administrator, serves as the iniƟal point of
contact/liaison for visitors/callers to the
PAB; screens visitors and determines the
nature of inquiry/visit and directs to the
appropriate individual/division; receives
phone calls from ciƟzens and state, county
and federal officials, and department heads;
and keeps the Program Administrator
informed regarding Ɵme sensiƟve projects
and requests.
The PAB’s Contract AƩorney serves as an
independent counsel for the PAB on a
variety of legal issues and concerns, and
prepares legal memoranda and other
correspondence in connecƟon with it;
advises on maƩers pertaining to
confidenƟality of informaƟon; aƩends PAB
meeƟngs to provide consultaƟon and
ensures that appropriate inquiries are made
by members of the PAB; reviews and
approves correspondence with law
enforcement agency heads; reviews and
approves the PAB’s annual report for
publicaƟon; consults with the PAB Chair and
Program Administrator on maƩers related
to the PAB’s public engagement; represents
the PAB at meeƟngs, as requested by the
Chair; conducts research on legal,
procedural, and policy maƩers, as
necessary; and prepares legal memoranda
and other correspondence regarding the
Board’s legal issues or concerns.
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 28
32
LocaƟon
The Police Accountability Board is located at 9200 Basil Court, Suite 406, in the space formerly
occupied by the CiƟzen Complaint Oversight Panel. The space was refurbished by the Office of
Central Services and the Office of InformaƟon Technology installed computer and Smart
technology. The PAB staff occupied the space on September 7, 2022.
LogisƟcs and OperaƟons
29 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
33
Guiding Documents
A Guidance Document to provide guidance
and recommendaƟons to the appointed
members of the Police Accountability Board
and staff was developed by the HB670
Workgroup. Except for specific references to
applicable State and local law, this document
contains no direcƟve that the Police
Accountability Board membership and staff is
legally obligated to follow. Instead, it
included suggesƟons about how the PAB and
its staff can proceed to fulfill the statutory
requirements of the Board. The
Guidance Document was approved
and distributed on November 9,
2022. to HB670 Workgroup.
Online Presence and Database
The PAB launched a webpage as
part of the County’s website on July
1, 2022. The iniƟal informaƟon
contained procedures to file a
complaint for police misconduct
and an explanaƟon of the process,
as well as a fillable PDF complaint
form for incidents occurring on or
aŌer July 1, 2022. AddiƟonal
informaƟon was provided to direct
ciƟzen on how to file complaints for
incidents occurring on or before
June 30, 2022.
Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 30
34
The PAB’s webpage now includes an online complaint portal and links to meeƟng agendas,
recordings, and minutes. Plans include added links for member profiles, case status tracking,
outreach, and commendaƟon forms. A data base uƟlizing the current Record Management System
used by the Prince George’s Police Department is currently under development. This data base will
be used to track a complaint from receipt to invesƟgaƟon through disposiƟon. The data will also be
used to analyze and track trends and create reports.
31 | Prince George’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report
Prince George 35 ’s County Police Accountability Board 2022 Report | 32
State of Maryland
Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021
State-Wide Disciplinary Matrix
PAB/ACC Emergency RegulaƟons
CB-21-2022 – Law Enforcement Accountability
CR-90-2022 – Public Engagement Process for the SelecƟon of Members to
the Police Accountability Board
Board MeeƟng Agendas, Minutes, and Recordings
PAB Web Page
Online Complaint Portal
PDF Complaint Form
Reference Links
36
37