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Harford County Police Accountability Board reports 91 alleged rule violations in 2025; no systemic training gaps found
Summary
The Harford County Police Accountability Board told the council that 2025 casework involved 41 officers and 91 alleged rule violations; 12% of alleged violations led to administrative charges, 29% were not charged, and 59% were deemed unfounded. The board said it found no patterns requiring additional training and recommended addressing legislative timing constraints.
The Harford County Police Accountability Board (PAB) presented its 2025 annual report to the Harford County Council, saying the board reviewed cases involving 41 officers and 91 alleged violations of police rules and regulations during the year.
"On the average, the members of the ACC spent about 20 hours a week reviewing cases and supporting materials that came with those cases," said Joe Ryan, president of the PAB. Ryan listed PAB meeting dates and membership changes in 2025 and said the Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) sometimes receives case files that exceed 100 pages and include multiple body-camera and vehicle-camera videos.
Ryan said the agency breakdown for the officers involved was 25 from the Aberdeen Police Department, 0 from the Bel Air Police Department, 12 from the Harford County Sheriff's Office, and 4 from the Havre de Grace Police Department. Disposition statistics Ryan gave were 12% of alleged violations administratively charged, 29% not charged, and 59% unfounded.
The board told the council it found no pattern of neglect or training gaps that would require a county-level training mandate and said local police chiefs are adhering to the new law. Ryan also said there are timing and administrative issues in the statute that the board would like the legislature to address. Councilmembers asked for precinct-level breakdowns and for clarification on records-retention periods for recordings; Ryan said he would follow up and provide additional detail to the council.
The council accepted the PAB's report and asked staff for follow-up on the requested data.
