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Committee backs resolution to create driver handbook for traffic stops
Summary
The Health, Human Services and Public Safety Committee voted to recommend CR77 as amended, directing the police department and the Office of Integrity, Compliance and Police Accountability to collaboratively draft a user-friendly driver handbook and submit the completed draft to the Police Accountability Board for input prior to council consideration.
The committee voted to recommend CR77, a resolution to create a county driver handbook describing law enforcement procedures during traffic stops, after members approved an amendment clarifying roles in drafting and review.
Council member Calvin Hawkins, sponsor of the resolution, said the handbook grew out of a high volume of local stops: “In 2023, there were over 33,343 traffic stops,” he said, and the handbook “aims to ensure that not only the driver, but our law enforcement officials have the most positive experience in that very intense situation.” Legislative staff told the committee the goal is a user-friendly guide that explains what typically happens during a stop and what drivers and passengers should do.
Deputy Chief George Nichols of the Prince George’s County Police Department told the committee the department “would be more than willing and gracious to work” with the Office of Integrity, Compliance, and Police Accountability to draft the handbook, and emphasized that patrol officers and community engagement events would be used to distribute materials. Cynthia Bridgeford, director of the Office of Integrity, Compliance and Police Accountability, said the Police Accountability Board has compiled data that can inform trends and asked only that the board be given the finalized draft for input before it goes to the council.
Committee members asked about distribution, language access and digital formats. Vice Chair Fisher urged translations and short digital snippets to reach residents who prefer brief online content; Council member Watson suggested partnering with the MVA and driver education programs for broader distribution.
The committee approved Amendment 1 (which specifies collaborative drafting by the police department and the Office of Integrity, Compliance and Police Accountability and requires the completed draft be submitted to the Police Accountability Board for input) by roll call. The motion to move CR77 favorable as amended carried on the same roll call. The clerk recorded the amendment and the final motion as approved by the committee.
