Police Accountability Board approves corrected closed-session minutes and votes to meet privately to interview ACC candidates

The Police Accountability Board approved corrected closed-session minutes from a June 8 meeting and voted to enter a closed session to interview candidates for an Administrative Charging Committee vacancy, the chair said.

The board established a quorum early in the meeting, with voice responses for Members Johns, Clark, Hudson and Lord. “We have 4, which is a quorum,” the chair said.

Board members reviewed minutes that initially listed the report-out date as June 9. A member pointed out the discrepancy, the chair asked to correct the typo and the board moved to approve the minutes; the motion was seconded and approved.

The chair announced that the board had an advertised closed session under Maryland Code, General Provisions §3-305(b)(1) “to discuss the appointment of officials over whom this body has jurisdiction,” and specifically to interview applicants for the Administrative Charging Committee. The chair said interviews had been conducted with three qualified applicants at the June 8 meeting to fill the upcoming vacancy and to ensure compliance with the Maryland Police Accountability Act.

A motion to go into closed session was made and seconded. On the roll-call vote, Member James and Member Whaley were recorded as absent; Members Johns, Clark, Hudson and Lord voted yes, carrying the motion to meet in closed session. The chair clarified that the interviews were not conducted publicly.

After the closed session, the board returned to open session, moved to adjourn, and the motion to adjourn carried with all present voting yes.

Attendees listed in the meeting record included chair Todd Lourdes; members Dave Whaley, Darren Johns and Phil Clark; alternate Marty Hudson; ACC attorney Stuart Barrow; and PABACC administrator Kim Raider. The board cited Maryland Code, General Provisions §3-305(b)(1) as the statutory authority for the closed session.