![[photo, Public entrance, Frederick A. Thayer III Courthouse, 203 South 4th St., Oakland, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/ga/images/1198-1-06619c.jpg)
In Garrett County, the legislative and executive branches of County government are administered by the Board of County Commissioners.
The Board of County Commissioners consists of three members who are elected to four-year terms by the voters (Code Local Government Article, secs. 9-401 through 9-406).
Frederick A. Thayer III Courthouse, 317 East Alder St., Oakland, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD
Effective July 1, 2022, the General Assembly required each Maryland county to have a Police Accountability Board (Chapter 59, Acts of 2021). In Garrett County, the Board of County Commissioners established the Police Accountability Board in July 2022 (Resolution no. 2022-8).
The Police Accountability Board receives complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public. On a quarterly basis, the Board meets with heads of law enforcement agencies, and works with those agencies and County government to improve County policing.
Legal mandates providing for the Board also authorized Charging Committees and Trial Boards, whose civilian members are appointed by the Police Accountability Board. On a quarterly basis, the Board reviews disciplinary matters considered by Charging Committees.
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to three-year terms, the Board consists of five members. The Chair is chosen by the Board of County Commissioners (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 3-102 through 3-104; County Code, Title XV, sec. 32-95).
Meeting monthly or as needed, the Committee reviews the findings of each law enforcement agency’s investigation of police misconduct complaints forwarded by the agency to the Committee. From information related to the investigation, the Committee makes determinations and recommendations. It may review body camera footage, call a police officer before the Committee, determine if a police officer should be charged administratively, or recommend discipline. It may submit written opinions to the director of the law enforcement agency, the accused police officer, the complainant, and the Police Accountability Board.
Five members constitute the Committee. Two are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, and two by the Police Accountability Board. One serves ex officio. Members serve three-year terms. Annually, the Chair is chosen by the Committee (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 3-102 through 3-104; County Code, Title XV, sec. 32.95.1).
GARRETT COUNTY TRIAL BOARD
The Garrett County Trial Board is made up of three members. One is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, one by the Police Accountability Board, and one by the Sheriff. Members serve three-year terms (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 3-102 through 3-104; County Code, Title XV, sec. 32.95.2).
In July 2022, the Garrett County Trial Board was formed by the Board of County Commissioners (Resolution no. 2022-8).
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