Caroline County Police Accountability Board approves ordinance changes, adds alternate seat and virtual attendance option

The Caroline County Police Accountability Board voted May 7 to approve the county's proposed ordinance converting the board's administrative charter into local law, with two exceptions: the board authorized one alternate member and agreed to allow virtual attendance for members.

The change, part of proposed Ordinance 2025-1, would reduce the board from seven members to five and add language addressing membership, resignation for nonattendance and administrative charging committee (ACC) procedures, PAB Administrator Kim Raider told the board during the meeting.

"One of them is making the board a little bit smaller," Raider said, summarizing a principal change. She told members the draft also clarifies when officers may be asked to appear before the ACC and defines conflicts of interest for board and ACC members.

Why it matters: the proposed ordinance moves county practice from an administrative resolution into a formal ordinance that will follow the county legislative process, including three readings and a public hearing. Board members said a smaller membership, plus an alternate and virtual attendance, should ease chronic quorum problems and reduce the number of vacancies that have hampered the board's work.

Board discussion and votes Board members discussed several…