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Mount Rainier council reads ordinance to repeal city police review advisory board
Summary
At a first reading, council introduced Ordinance 04‑2025 to repeal the city’s Police Review and Advisory Board, citing the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 and saying the local board no longer serves its intended purpose; the council held discussion but took no vote.
The Mount Rainier mayor and city council held a first reading on Oct. 7 of Ordinance 04‑2025, a proposal to repeal the city’s Police Review and Advisory Board.
Valerie read the ordinance text, which says the city created the board in 2020 to review police operations and misconduct allegations but that the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 has created county-level police accountability boards and in many respects preempted the city's authority. The ordinance states the council has determined the local board “no longer serves the intended purpose” and that the city's resources could be used more effectively elsewhere.
Councilmember Joseph urged that the city maintain avenues for connection between police and the community and praised outreach efforts by the police chief at recent events. The mayor said the new chief will be engaged in community meetings and asked residents for patience while the department and community establish that connection.
Because this was a first reading, the council did not vote to repeal the ordinance at the meeting. The ordinance text notes procedural steps required for repeal if adopted, including reading a fair summary, posting, publication and holding a public hearing within the statutory 14–45 day window.
