Kent County Police Accountability Board reviews quarter of cases, approves victim-rights policy and appoints new ACC member

Speaker 2, the presiding officer of the Kent County Police Accountability Board, called the meeting to order at 3 p.m. and led members through routine business, including approval of last month’s minutes.

The board voted to approve a victim-rights advocate policy after Speaker 2 asked whether members had read it and Speaker 1 moved to adopt it. Speaker 2 recorded an affirmative vocal vote. "All those in favor? Aye," the presiding officer said.

Speaker 2 announced that Tom Davis is resigning his role on the Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) but intends to remain active with the Police Accountability Board; members indicated no formal vote to accept that resignation was required.

The board appointed Gary Fellows to the ACC after Speaker 2 introduced him and moved for his appointment. Speaker 1 seconded the motion and members voted in favor. Speaker 2 welcomed Fellows, saying, "Welcome aboard." The board also noted a one-day PAB training class scheduled for Oct. 24 and clarified that the training will not require closed session because no personal information will be disclosed.

At the core of the meeting, Speaker 2 summarized the PAB’s mission: "The board's mission is to determine if there are any causes, patterns, behaviors that might be causing these complaints with the agencies," and explained how sanitized case information is handled in open meetings.

The board reviewed four closed cases from the recent quarter. Speaker 2 summarized each:

• Case noted as "24 01" (Kent County Sheriff's Office): the complaint alleged excessive force, assault and failure to display an arrest warrant. Internal review found the assault/excessive force allegations not sustained; the sheriff sustained a separate professionalism-related finding. The ACC reviewed body-worn camera and other evidence and "exonerate[d] the sheriff's deputy on all ... charges," Speaker 2 said.

• A Chestertown Police Department case received June 6 alleged improper handcuffing with resulting injury and general disrespect. The ACC sustained a "general disrespect" finding under the department’s general orders; the disciplinary matrix placed that disposition at the level of a letter of reprimand, and the department accepted the reprimand.

• A separate Chestertown-related complaint alleging harassment and repeated stops was found unfounded by the ACC after a records review.

• A July 1 complaint against a Kent County deputy arising from a traffic stop alleged the deputy slammed a vehicle door onto a complainant's leg and used harassment. The department's review noted profanity that was not directed at the complainant and the ACC ruled the allegation unfounded and exonerated the deputy.

Speaker 2 told members that anonymized, sterilized summaries of closed cases will be available to the public and that the board will compile an end-of-year report for the county commissioners based on the spreadsheet of closed cases. He reminded members that each agency’s general orders are public and offered to provide copies to anyone who preferred a paper version.

In response to member questions on process, Speaker 2 clarified that complaints are filed on a form (not anonymous), the department's internal affairs compiles investigative materials, and the ACC receives all investigative evidence and prior histories "if we need it." He emphasized that when the ACC meets it does so separately and in closed session for evidence review, and that final findings are presented as sanitized summaries in open meetings.

The board confirmed its next meeting for Sept. 4 at 3 p.m., noted that the county chief and sheriff are expected to attend that meeting, and adjourned after a vocal 'Aye' vote.

The meeting record shows motions and votes on minutes acceptance, the victim-rights policy approval, the appointment of Gary Fellows to the ACC, and adjournment. No formal dissenting votes were recorded in the transcript. The board said it will prepare an annual report for the county commissioners summarizing the trend information from the closed cases spreadsheet.