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Kent County PAB reviews two citizen complaints; finds no policy violations
Summary
The Kent County Police Accountability Board reviewed two citizen complaints at its Feb. 5 meeting and said neither incident showed violations of criminal law or departmental policy, the board reported.
The Kent County Police Accountability Board reviewed two citizen complaints at its Feb. 5 meeting and said neither incident showed violations of criminal law or departmental policy, the board reported.
The findings emerged as the board prepared materials for its year‑end report and ahead of a quarterly meeting with the county sheriff and the two municipal police chiefs scheduled for March. Board members said the March meeting will cover the two cases so members can ask the law‑enforcement heads questions directly.
In the first matter, a complainant reported in July that a sheriff’s deputy repeatedly followed her vehicle but never made a traffic stop. The board said the deputy followed to observe and to attempt to develop probable cause because the deputy believed the motorist might be impaired; the deputy ultimately did not stop the vehicle. The board said investigators found no violation of policy or law in that case (case label recorded in the PAB chart as “10 22 20 24”).
The second case, handled by the Chestertown Police Department on Oct. 25, involved a motorist stopped for a headlight issue. An officer administered field sobriety tests, determined the driver was not impaired and released her. The complainant stated she felt embarrassed; the board’s review found no criminal or departmental violations.
Meeting chair (name not specified) summarized the cases and said the reviews relied on available reports and body‑worn camera footage. “If they are the best and the worst complaints that you have with your police department in the county, you guys are doing a good job,” the chair said.
The board advised members that the sheriff and both police chiefs will attend the March meeting for a quarterly briefing and review of these two matters; members were invited to bring questions to that session.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to accept Jan. minutes — moved by an unnamed member, seconded by the meeting chair; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Motion to adjourn — moved and seconded during the meeting’s close; outcome: approved by voice vote.
