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Family and residents press Calvert officials over detention‑center death; PAB says custody complaints fall outside its remit
Summary
Multiple public commenters, including the family of Angel Jimenez, urged investigation and policy change after his death at the Calvert County detention center; the PAB chair clarified that detention‑center oversight of correctional officers lies outside the PAB/ACC statutory scope and directed families to the sheriff's office or courts.
Family members and community advocates used the Police Accountability Board's public comment period to press officials for answers about the death of Angel Jimenez in a Calvert County detention cell and to demand policy changes.
Elena Jimenez, who identified herself as Angel Jimenez's sister, said the family's viewing of a video released two weeks earlier by the state's attorney's office showed her brother restrained and gasping. "His last words were I can't breathe, I need oxygen," she told the board, saying officers used a restraint chair and a spit mask she described as too small and obstructive.
Multiple commenters echoed grief and anger. Joseph Cormier of Owings said the county had a duty of "care, custody and control" and asked why staff continued to kneel on Mr. Jimenez after he was handcuffed and ankle‑shackled. "Once Mr. Jimenez was handcuffed and ankle shackled, he was under control," Cormier said, asking whether the restraint chair's use and staff actions complied with policy.
Speakers pressed the PAB to act. August K. Clayton said board members "seek to keep [the sheriff] informed" rather than using the board's authority to ensure safety; Salama Wey criticized the chair's tone toward public commenters and said the board's response undermined trust.
The chair responded by clarifying the board's statutory reach: "Anything in the detention center is not under the purview of the police accountability board," he said, advising people with detention‑related concerns to pursue them with the sheriff's office or in court.
Sheriff Cox and board members previously described the sheriff's office's investigatory role for complaints and said they cooperate with the ACC and PAB on policy recommendations. Nevertheless, several public speakers said that county policies and the timing of official disclosures had deepened distrust and said they would return to advocate further at future meetings.
No formal action on detention‑center policy or corrections personnel was taken at the meeting; several speakers said they would pursue other legal and public paths and expected to continue pressing the issue at future PAB sessions and during the board's January presentation to county commissioners.
