Baltimore County Police Accountability Board rejects motion to review public complaints

The Baltimore County Police Accountability Board on a roll call vote declined a motion to change its rules of procedure to allow board members to review complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public. The motion was moved by Peter Fitzpatrick and seconded by Karen White but did not receive enough votes to pass.

Board members and public commenters framed the issue as a dispute between transparency advocates and those citing legal and confidentiality limits. Supporters at the meeting argued the change would let board members ‘‘review the complaints you receive’’ and improve oversight. Opponents said the board’s authority and confidentiality rules are constrained by state law and that reviewing complaints piecemeal could be prejudicial or ineffective.

The motion would have modified the PAB’s rules to permit review of complaints ‘‘received by the PAB’’ (primarily those submitted via the board’s website). Public speakers urged…