NEWS
Police Accountability Coalition Defends Anton’s Law from Fraternal Order of Police's Secretive and Unacceptable Court Challenge
December 21, 2022
Press Statement, MCJPA and ACLU of Maryland
Elected and community leaders held a press conference before a court hearing about the dangerous legal effort made by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 (FOP) in Montgomery County to gut Anton’s Law, which would block the public’s hard-earned access to police misconduct records.
Police Accountability Coalition Moves to Intervene to Defend Anton’s Law Against Secretive Court Challenge Launched by Fraternal Order of Police
October 12, 2022
Press Statement, MCJPA and ACLU of Maryland
Side Deal Between FOP, Montgomery County Threatens Public Access to Misconduct Records
Acting to defend the community transparency protections at the core of Anton’s Law, the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability (MCJPA) is moving to intervene in a dangerous legal effort by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 (FOP) in Montgomery County to block access to records of police misconduct that should be accessible to the public. MCJPA is asking the court first to unseal proceedings in the case, and then to reject the FOP’s lawsuit.
When she sought answers about an officer, this Maryland police union sued (Washington Post)
September 5, 2022
Case is a test of new transparency law named for Anton Black, who died in an encounter with police.
When the law passed, Alexa Renehan decided to find out what happened to the police officer she had complained about all those years ago.
Opinion – Montgomery County is violating the spirit of Anton’s Law (Washington Post)
September 27, 2022
OpEd, Yanet Amanuel, public policy director, American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland and Joanna Silver, policy committee co-chair, Silver Spring Justice Coalition
The Sept. 20 editorial “Honor — and follow — Anton’s Law” was correct that Maryland police should provide the transparency that Anton’s Law requires. But it is not “too soon to reach a final verdict on Montgomery County’s arrangement.”
Following reform effort, some police accountability boards up and running in counties, some still not formed (Maryland Matters)
September 2, 2022
Officials in Maryland’s jurisdictions are continuing a complicated process to establish new state-mandated police accountability boards, with differing levels of success.
The boards in Calvert and Frederick counties held first meetings in August and will hold second sessions Sept. 14 and Sept. 28, respectively.
Opinion: Maryland police reform is far from over (Washington Post)
September 2, 2022
OpEd, Yanet Amanuel, ACLU of Maryland
Every time there is an opportunity to give the community control of the police, Maryland Democrats at every level who say they support police accountability squander it by backing amendments pushed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
Police reform advocates call for meeting on new regulations (AP)
August 10, 2022
Greater transparency is needed before Maryland settles on any eligibility requirements regarding who can serve on local police accountability boards, advocates for police reform in Maryland said Wednesday.
Police reform advocates press for public hearing on Maryland’s guidelines for local accountability boards (Daily Record)
August 10, 2022
A coalition of police reform advocates rallied in Annapolis Wednesday to call attention to proposed emergency regulations they say would weaken a landmark 2021 law that created new mechanisms for police accountability.
Groups call for revisions to proposed recommendations on police oversight (WBAL)
August 10, 2022
A coalition of Maryland organizations is calling for revisions to proposed recommendations on police oversight.
Statewide Coalition Sounds Alarm on New Proposals that Would Weaken Police Accountability Statewide
August 10, 2022
Press Statement, Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability
The statewide Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability hosted a press conference to voice serious concerns and call on members of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review to request an emergency public hearing so there is transparency to the public about the proposals and opportunity for the public to weigh in.
Family of Anton Black settles wrongful-death suit with Md. police (Washington Post)
August 8, 2022
Three Eastern Shore towns will pay $5 million and institute changes in policing to prevent more officer-involved deaths.
Baltimore Police could fall under city’s control if voters approve this fall (WYPR)
July 27, 2022
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott signed a bill to add a charter amendment to the general election ballot which could put the city’s police department under local control for the first time in decades.
Statewide Coalition Alarmed Over Rushed, Anti-Community Process for Statewide Emergency Police Regulations
July 8, 2022
Press Statement, Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability
The Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability sounds the alarm over rushed regulations proposed by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, is deeply concerned that draft proposals are offensive to the letter and spirit of the Maryland Police Accountability Act.
Prince George’s Council OKs Establishment of Police Accountability Board (Washington Informer)
July 5, 2022
Prince George’s County Council voted 10-1 on Tuesday to implement a police accountability board in order to provide a more transparent process for reviewing alleged police misconduct.
Baltimore City Police Accountability Board Signed; Community Coalitions Impact Efforts and Call for a Transparent Application Process
July 1, 2022
Press Statement, Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability and Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs
The Police Accountability Board Bill (PAB) was signed into law yesterday by Mayor Brandon Scott, following dozens of community members flooding the bill’s public hearings and voicing concerns of the bill’s original language – causing major community amendments to be added to the bill.
Montgomery County Council unanimously approves nine-member Police Accountability Board (Bethesda Magazine)
June 28, 2022
Board will handle complaints about alleged police misconduct.
The Montgomery County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the nine members of the county’s new Police Accountability Board, which will handle complaints about possible police misconduct.
New police accountability board to increase civilian oversight in latest push for reform in Baltimore (Baltimore Sun)
June 28, 2022
In response to a new statewide requirement that seeks to strengthen civilian oversight of local law enforcement agencies, the Baltimore City Council passed a bill Monday to create a police accountability board, marking the latest development in a longstanding debate over police reform in Baltimore.
Police Accountability Board candidates make case to County Council (Bethesda Magazine)
June 21, 2022
The nine candidates nominated by County Executive Marc Elrich to serve on the new Police Accountability Board told the County Council on Tuesday that impartial, thoughtful, and data-driven analysis would be critical to their work moving forward.
Anne Arundel County Council approves eight Police Accountability Board members (Baltimore Sun)
June 22, 2022
After months of fraught debate on how to best create a police accountability board in Anne Arundel County, eight board members were approved Monday by the County Council.
Prince George’s council would appoint some members of police review board (Washington Post)
June 7, 2022
Legislators changed the language of a police accountability bill to allow themselves to select five members of a board that reviews allegations of police misconduct.
Police reform bill in Prince George’s Co. moves closer to a vote (WTOP)
June 6, 2022
It didn’t give police reform activists everything they wanted, and it didn’t pass unanimously. However, the Prince George’s County Council moved closer to finalizing police reform legislation required under Maryland law.
Prince George’s Council Reviews Proposed Police Legislation (Washington Informer)
June 6, 2022
With less than a month to adhere to a state-imposed July 1 deadline to establish a police accountability board and other police-related measures, Prince George’s County Council and residents continue to debate on how to strengthen those efforts.
Pr. George’s residents want police accountability bill to ‘restore the trust’ (Washington Post)
June 5, 2022
The county council is reviewing amendments to a police accountability bill, and community members have concerns about the board member selection process.
Prince George’s Council Delays Reviewing Police-Related Measures (Washington Informer)
May 31, 2022
With a July 1 state-imposed deadline approaching for Maryland jurisdictions to approve police accountability measures, some Prince George’s County residents urged the county council to slow down the process.
Prince George's Council Delays Vote on Police Accountability Board (NBC)
May 31, 2022
In Prince George's County, the community delayed a vote on the county's new police accountability board.
Maryland is requiring all law enforcement in the state to have the oversight panels and each locality must appoint members and approve legislation to govern the boards.
Opinion: Baltimore County Council Undermines Police Accountability Reforms (Maryland Matters)
May 26, 2022
OpEd, Ricarra Jones, Lydia Walther-Rodriguez and Daniel Golombek
The writers, respectively, are with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, CASA and Baltimore County Progressive Democrats. The three co-signing organizations are members of the Baltimore County Coalition for Police Accountability.
Statewide Coalition Sounds Alarm about New Proposed Police Regulations
May 20, 2022
Press Statement, Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability
Today, leaders with the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability are sounding the alarm about serious concerns with the proposed regulations by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission (MPTSC) on Police Accountability Boards (PAB) and Administrative Charging Committees (ACC).
Community Coalitions Concerned with Baltimore City’s Police Accountability Board Bill As Introduced - Excluding Those Most Impact By Police Brutality
May 18, 2022
Press Statement, Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability and Campaign for Justice, Safety, and Jobs
Demands for PAB membership criteria include youth and City residents regardless of immigration status or previous encounters with the criminal justice system.
Baltimore County vote on police accountability board postponed after activists say bill was rushed (Baltimore Sun)
May 2, 2022
The Baltimore County Council postponed a vote on legislation creating a police accountability board after community groups said the bill was rushed.
Baltimore County delays vote on Police Accountability Board, asking for more input (WMAR)
May 2, 2022
At Monday’s virtual Baltimore County Council meeting, leaders voted to postpone a vote that would move the Police Accountability Board forward.
Hearing scheduled for Baltimore County police accountability board (WMAR)
May 17, 2022
The Baltimore County Council will meet Tuesday to discuss the County's police accountability board.
Baltimore County Council delays vote on controversial police accountability board (WYPR)
May 2, 2022
The Baltimore County Council put off for several weeks Monday night a vote on how it is going to set up a police accountability board.
It comes after activists questioned whether the board as proposed would do little to hold the police department accountable.
Baltimore County Coalition for Police Accountability Sends Open Letter Calling on County Council to Postpone PAB Vote, Accept Coalition Amendments to Bill 24-22
May 2, 2022
Press Statement, Baltimore County Coalition for Police Accountability
The Baltimore County Coalition for Police Accountability (BCCPA) sent an open letter to the Baltimore County Council as the Council plans to vote on Bill 24-22 tonight at 6 p.m. after only one hearing on the Police Accountability Board bill.
Mayors content with county's Police Accountability Board, but they might want their own (Frederick News-Post)
April 27, 2022
Mayors from three Frederick County communities with a municipal police force would like the option to form their own Police Accountability Boards, after the county approved one.
Harford County Public Schools discuss health curriculum amid backlash for age-appropriate content (Baltimore Sun)
April 26, 2022
The Board of Education of Harford County discussed the future of Harford County Public Schools’ elementary school health curriculum, and the construction of a new Homestead/Wakefield Elementary School that will reduce overcrowding at the current school, during its board meeting Monday, which lasted more than three hours.
County Council passes criteria for Police Accountability Board (Frederick News-Post)
April 26, 2022
The Frederick County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved criteria for who can serve on the county’s 11-member Police Accountability Board.
Police Accountability Board plan questioned at Baltimore County Council hearing (WYPR)
April 26, 2022
Baltimore County’s plan to create a police accountability board came under fire Tuesday night from people who fear it will be too weak to make a difference.
Baltimore County and others are creating police accountability boards. How strong will they be? (Baltimore Sun)
April 25, 2022
In recent years, Baltimore County Police have faced calls for accountability for issues ranging from fatal shootings to traffic stops disproportionately targeting Black motorists to the handling of sexual assault cases.
With Deadline Looming, Counties Working to Establish Police Accountability Boards to Monitor Misconduct Complaints (Maryland Matters)
April 25, 2022
As the July 1 deadline draws near, Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions continue to wrestle with how to locally implement the police accountability boards mandated by sweeping reform legislation passed in 2021.
Officials consider who should be allowed to serve on Carroll County’s new police accountability board (Baltimore Sun)
April 21, 2022
Though Carroll County’s sheriff and commissioners said they don’t believe the county needs a police accountability board, they are charged by the state with creating one by July 1. On Thursday, they began debating who may be chosen to serve on the board.
MOCO Council Approves Police Accountability Board (WDVM)
April 20, 2022
In Montgomery County, there is a new way to investigate alleged police misconduct after the county council voted unanimously to create a board of citizens to oversee the process.
At literal last minute, Md. revises police reform, addresses gun crimes (Washington Post)
April 12, 2022
With one minute before midnight Monday, the House of Delegates voted 106-9 to approve a bill that, among other provisions, creates a trial board for state police agencies and prohibits collective bargaining from affecting the disciplinary process.
Wicomico County police accountability board: What you should know (Delmarva Now)
April 12, 2022
Wicomico County's new police accountability board is beginning to take shape.
Legislation passed during the General Assembly's 2021 session repeals Maryland's Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights. The law puts the process for handling accusations of police misconduct in the hands of a system of accountability boards, administrative charging committees and trial boards.
Police Oversight Board: Advocates & Sheriff Have Concerns (Part 1) (Delmarva Public Media)
April 12, 2022
The draft language for a Police Accountability Board in Wicomico County has drawn criticism from both local advocates and the sheriff. Delmarva Public Media's Don Rush talked with Jared Schablein, Eastern Shore community organizer for the American Liberties Union of Maryland, about what he would like to see changed.
County residents call for minorities on police accountability board (Frederick News-Post)
April 6, 2022
Nearly all of the roughly 30 Frederick County residents who provided comment during a County Council meeting Tuesday called on council members to require that a new Police Accountability Board include representation from minority communities who they said are disproportionately the victims of police misconduct.
Community members/organizations weigh in on Wico. Co. Council’s PAB legislation, push for independence (WMDT)
April 5, 2022
Tuesday night, the Wicomico County Council heard from the community about police reform legislation regarding the county’s Police Accountability Board now required by state law.
There was a packed house Tuesday, with many advocates focused on trying to bring transparency, accountability, and representation to the county’s Police Accountability Board. Many had ‘Police Accountability Now’ buttons on their garments, with the ACLU Maryland of the Eastern Shore present, reading a letter sent to the council with proposed revisions of the legislation’s first draft.
Wicomico Co. Council to consider Police Accountability Board legislation (WMDT)
April 4, 2022
Wicomico County Council is working on legislation required by the state under the Maryland Police Accountability Act (MPAA) of 2021. The MPAA repealed the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights (LEOBOR). It also required jurisdictions to come up with their own police accountability boards, among other sweeping changes.
Coalition Sounds Alarm As PAB Bills Undermine Accountability to Communities Across State
April 1, 2022
Press Statement, Maryland Coalition for Justice & Police Accountability
The 100+ organization MCJPA coalition sounds the alarm and issues a statewide call to action to demand community participation and independent investigatory powers are fully implemented under the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 (HB 670).
Getting “bad cop” records still means fee negotiations, court battles and wrangling with agencies and unions (Part 2) (Baltimore Brew)
March 21, 2022
For “Sunshine Week,” the MDDC Press Association took a look at how Anton’s Law is working five months after the police accountability measure took effect.
Law aimed at more access to police discipline records has not yet lived up to its promise (Part 1) (Baltimore Brew)
March 20, 2022
Journalists and activists report long waits and high fees, while law enforcement agencies complain of underfunding. A look at the problematic implementation of Anton’s Law by the MDDC Press Association.
Police discipline records no longer off limits, but they don’t come easily (Bethesda Magazine)
March 14, 2022
Anton's Law gives greater access to the public in Maryland.
A community group in Montgomery County was asked to pay $95,000 for copies of police discipline and complaint records, which, under a 2021 change in Maryland law, are no longer automatically private.
Implementing Anton’s Law in Maryland (Afro)
March 12, 2022
A community group in Montgomery County was asked to pay $95,000 for copies of police discipline and complaint records, which, under a 2021 change in Maryland law, are no longer automatically private.
What will civilian oversight of police look like in Baltimore? Legislation aims to fund panel, keep its investigatory powers (Baltimore Sun)
March 11, 2022
For years, advocates for civilian oversight of Baltimore police have complained about what they call a “toothless tiger”: the city’s Civilian Review Board.
Anne Arundel human rights groups want Police Accountability Board proposal to include more investigatory powers (Baltimore Sun)
March 8, 2022
With 49 amendments and counting to the Anne Arundel County Police Accountability Board bill, both sides of the debate are still dissatisfied.
Human rights groups still think there’s more work to be done, while law enforcement advocates feel the process is demeaning police.
Anne Arundel council to review structure of new Police Accountability Board, hopes to restore trust in law enforcement (Baltimore Sun)
March 6, 2022
Anne Arundel County will move a step closer to implementing the sweeping law enforcement reform legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2021 when the County Council reviews a Police Accountability Board proposal Monday.
Attorney General: Legal Objections to Strengthening Baltimore’s Civilian Review Board Unfounded
February 23, 2022
Press Statement, Maryland Coalition for Justice & Police Accountability and the Campaign for Jobs, Safety & Justice
Mayor Scott is Weakening Police Accountability in Baltimore by Opposing Support of SB441/HB991
Activists Push for Community Involvement in Police Accountability Boards (Washington Informer)
February 23, 2022
As Maryland counties and Baltimore City continue work on implementing police accountability boards, criminal justice advocates demand a simple request: make sure residents are involved in the process.
For instance, Prince George’s County already received dozens of applications from those interested to serve on a police accountability board [PAB].
Civilian Review Board bill aims to protect key powers needed to hold BPD accountable (Baltimore Brew)
February 16, 2022
Baltimore activists and lawmakers who helped lead the push last year for sweeping statewide police reform are grappling this year with a harsh irony:
As part of that package, the 2021 Maryland General Assembly passed HB670, which required jurisdictions to set up Police Accountability Boards (PABs) as the first place citizens would bring misconduct complaints in a revamped system.
But after compromises watered down the bill, the structure of the new PABs ended up weaker overall than the Civilian Review Board (CRB) already in place in Baltimore.
Commentary: We have the right to public safety in our community
February 7, 2022
The Prince George’s County Police Department is working to implement dozens of reforms which were recommended by a task force made up of members from across the community.
Councilmembers question process to create Prince George's Co. police accountability board (WJLA)
January 27, 2022
OpEd, Sen. Jill P. Carter and Del. Stephanie Smith
The most well-known policy victories of the Civil Rights movement are the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Less discussed are the non-federal policy demands that emerged during this period regarding community control of education and law enforcement. The latter emerged in response to police brutality leading to calls for robust community oversight that could investigate and discipline police officers that violated the humanity of people in the community.
Prince George’s County Community Calls for Halt of Recruitment for Police Accountability Board and Demands Public Input in Drafting Legislation
January 10, 2022
Press Statement, Maryland Coalition for Justice & Police Accountability
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY – The Maryland Coalition for Justice & Police Accountability (MCJPA) calls for the County Executive to halt recruitment for Police Accountability Board (PAB) members until a public town hall is first held, giving the community an opportunity to make recommendations, and until legislation has been drafted to enable the board as mandated under Maryland’s new state law – the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 (MPAA). The purpose of the new law was to increase police accountability and community oversight and participation in the police disciplinary process.