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Kent County board says it received first mailed citizen complaint, forwarded to Chestertown Police within 24 hours
Summary
At its May 7 meeting the Kent County Police Accountability Board said it received its first complaint mailed directly to the board and forwarded it to the Chestertown Police within about 24 hours; two additional cases from the sheriff—s office are pending.
Kent County Police Accountability Board members said at a May 7, 2025 meeting that the board received its first citizen complaint mailed to the board and sent it to Chestertown Police within about 24 hours for that agency—s investigation.
The complaint was delivered to the address listed on the board—s website and then routed to the appropriate agency, Chair said. "We've received our first complaint that was generated by a citizen, mailed it to the address on the website, with the complaint. And that complaint was turned over to the appropriate agency, which was Chestertown Police within within probably 24 hours of us receiving it," Chair said.
The board described the standard sequence under its current process: the receiving agency conducts an internal investigation, then the Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) reviews the case after the agency completes its work. "They do their internal investigation. Then it comes back to the ACC, once they're done with it. And then the ACC does their thing with it," Chair said.
Members also reported two additional cases in the pipeline that originated with the sheriff's office; the board described those as pending. At the meeting members said two cases that had been open from last year were closed this quarter.
Board members discussed outreach as part of explaining the board's role and complaint pathways. The board said it has contacted faith leaders provided to the board and received one response so far and plans to schedule meetings to explain the board's role under the Police Reform Act of 2021 and answer questions. Members also discussed meeting with the chiefs association and local fire companies so community groups understand where to bring citizen concerns.
The board emphasized that complaints delivered directly to the PAB are forwarded to the involved agency for investigation and are then returned to the ACC for its review. No formal changes to that process were adopted at the May 7 meeting.
The PAB noted logistical steps to speed case documentation, including consideration of a portable printer for use during deliberations so findings can be produced at meetings. The board—s next meeting is scheduled for June 4.
