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Kent County ACC appoints Gary Fellowes, reviews recent uptick in complaints
Summary
At its Aug. 7 meeting the Kent County Administrative Charter Committee accepted last month’s minutes, appointed Gary Fellowes to fill a vacancy, discussed four recent complaints under review by the ACC for the Police Accountability Board and announced a community Coffee with a Cop event.
The Kent County Administrative Charter Committee met at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 7 and accepted last month’s minutes, appointed Gary Fellowes to the committee and discussed an uptick in complaints reviewed for the Police Accountability Board (PAB).
Committee Chair opened the meeting, reminded members to follow Robert’s Rules of Order and the Maryland Open Meetings Act and asked whether members had read the minutes from the prior month; members said they had and the committee moved to accept the minutes. The chair later said, “Mister Davis resigned his position on the board. The board accepted his resignation,” and explained Gary Fellowes had applied, been vetted and was voted in as the new ACC member.
Gary Fellowes, the newly appointed ACC member, thanked the committee: “I appreciate the opportunity.” The chair said he and Fellowes will attend required training in October, calling the course “well worth the time.”
On case reviews, the chair described the ACC’s role in summarizing cases for the PAB so the board can spot trends and recommend policy changes to leadership such as the sheriff or police chiefs. The chair said the committee had been quiet for about a year and then “we had 4 in 1 quarter,” noting the increase could reflect greater public awareness of the accountability process rather than a change in officer behavior. The chair said the ACC compiles an annual report to the county commissioners that will include complaint counts and calls for service to provide context.
The committee announced a community outreach event: “There is coffee with a cop, August 15 at Dunkin' Donuts,” the chair said, adding attendance is voluntary and he will be there to answer questions about the PAB or ACC. Members also confirmed routine administrative items and technology updates.
Votes at a glance: - Acceptance of July minutes — motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Appointment of Gary Fellowes to the ACC — board voted to accept Fellowes as a new member; outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn at 3:41 p.m. — motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.
The committee set its next meeting for the Wednesday after Labor Day and agreed to reconvene sooner if a pressing case arises. A final attendee asked whether meeting materials would remain available after adjournment; the transcript ends with that question.
