20 complaints of police misconduct reviewed by committee

The Carroll County Administrative Charging Committee, which has been tasked since 2022 with reviewing allegations of police misconduct, received 20 complaints involving local law enforcement last year, according to its year-end report.

Complaints included inappropriate behavior by an officer during a vehicle stop, allegations of officer speeding and using a computer while driving, and complaints about use of force and harassment. Of the 20 complaints, two were deferred in order to retrieve video footage, and the remaining 18 were reviewed and investigated. The cases resulted in various outcomes, ranging from exoneration to officer discipline.

In 2022, the Board of Carroll County Commissioners created the county’s first police accountability board, following a mandate from the state. The board was charged with receiving complaints of police misconduct, reviewing police disciplinary trends and working with local law enforcement to improve policing.

The administrative charging committee was also formed that year. The committee investigates complaints against officers working within the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and police departments in Hampstead, Manchester, Mount Airy, Sykesville, Taneytown and Westminster. Complaints against officers varied throughout last year, though the individual officers are not named in the report.

In January 2024, the committee investigated a complaint alleging sexually inappropriate touching and property damage by police during a search. An investigation determined no violations occurred, nor was there any evidence of property damage or sexually inappropriate behavior.

In May, the committee investigated an allegation of an officer speeding and using a computer while driving. The committee found no evidence to support the complaint.

In June, the committee recommended the termination of an officer for reckless driving, vehicle damage, injury and violating policies involving weapons. The report does not state whether the officer was terminated. “This matter involved a complicated investigation on the scene and thus many hours of video footage were reviewed by the ACC,” the report states.

In some investigations the involved police departments were named.

In December, the committee investigated a complaint that an officer with the Westminster Police Department displayed a lack of civility, discourteous behavior and harassment. The committee’s review of video footage cleared the officer.

The committee also received a complaint last month against an officer with the Hampstead Police Department, alleging “unreasonable” entry into a resident’s home. Based on a review, the officer was exonerated.

A second complaint against an officer with the Hampstead Police Department found that the officer failed to tell a woman during a traffic stop that she was being videotaped. That same officer also failed to identify himself and provide a reason for the stop.

A review of the incident found that the officer was in violation, the report states. The officer received “formal written counseling,” which refers to a documented, official communication from a supervisor to an officer, outlining specific concerns about their performance or conduct, detailing the expected improvements, and serving as a warning that further issues could lead to disciplinary action.

In comparison, in 2022, the year the committee was formed, there was just one complaint about the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, according to that year’s annual report. In 2023, there was one resident complaint alleging the misuse of force, and three alleging racial profiling by municipal officers. None resulted in disciplinary action. Neither report names officers nor which municipal police departments had complaints.

The Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 was enacted by the Maryland General Assembly to bring changes to law enforcement throughout the state. Among other requirements, the legislation states that Baltimore City and every Maryland county must form a police accountability board. The board makes policy recommendations, reviews outcomes of disciplinary matters considered by charging committees, and requires regular reports on disciplinary processes.

Maryland counties were also charged with creating an administrative charging committee to review police internal investigations regarding alleged officer misconduct and determine whether an administrative charge is appropriate. If a charge is appropriate, the committee schedules a public hearing and makes a recommendation.

Members of the committee include the chair of the police accountability board, two members appointed by the commissioners, and two members selected by the police accountability board. Currently, there is one vacancy on Carroll County’s five-member administrative charging committee, a county news release this week states.

The committee meets at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at 225 N. Center St., in Westminster. Members serve a two-year term and can be appointed for a second term; however, a committee member is not eligible for reappointment after serving four years.

A new member is required to attend a state-mandated, 40-hour training session held March 24-28 at 6852 4th St., in Sykesville. Training is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, go to https://mpctc.dpscs.maryland.gov/reform.htm.

Have a news tip? Contact Sherry Greenfield at [e-mail], 240-315-7029 and @sherrygreenfie9 on X.