(a) Legislative findings.
(1) The United States Department of Justice advises that:
(A) strong relationships of mutual trust between police agencies and the communities they serve are critical to maintaining public safety and effective policing;
(B) police officials rely on the cooperation of community members to provide information about crime in their neighborhoods, and to work with the police to devise solutions to crime and disorder problems; and
(C) community members’ willingness to trust the police depends on whether they believe that police actions reflect community values and incorporate the principles of procedural justice and legitimacy.
(2) The Police Executive Research Forum hosted a national meeting of police and community leaders. The following key issues and recommendations were determined to be useful to help police departments and their communities to develop collaborative strategies for moving forward. Police departments should:
(A) acknowledge and discuss with communities the challenges local police departments face;
(B) be transparent and accountable;
(C) take steps to reduce bias and improve cultural competency;
(D) maintain focus on the importance of collaboration and be visible in the community; and
(E) promote internal diversity and ensure professional growth opportunities.
(b) Community policing guidelines. To further community policing objectives:
(1) officers must strive to regularly initiate and engage in positive nonenforcement activities with their communities;
(2) the Department must ensure cultural competency throughout the Department and increase officer knowledge of the County’s diverse population;
(3) the Department must emphasize the recruitment of candidates with ties to the County;
(4) the Department must increase community outreach initiatives and officers must attend community events on behalf of the Department;
(5) the Department must provide adequate training in de-escalation tactics;
(6) the Police Chief must designate a liaison to each population that is disproportionately impacted by inequities, as appropriate; and
(7) the Department must incorporate mental health and positive youth development initiatives in partnership with County departments, agencies, and community-based organizations.
(c) Reporting requirements.
(1) By February 1 each year, the Montgomery County Department of Police must report the following information to the Executive and Council for the prior calendar year:
(A) information about the demographic makeup of the Department, including:
(i) the total number of sworn police officers in the Department;
(ii) the total number of sworn racial minority police officers in the Department by race and ethnicity;
(iii) the total number of sworn female police officers in the Department;
(iv) the number of sworn police officers in the Department that reside in the County; and
(v) any other demographic information voluntarily provided by sworn police officers;
(B) the number of recruiting events the Department sponsored or participated in the County;
(C) the number of instances of use of force that resulted in an injury when the injury occurred as a direct result of an officer’s actions;
(D) the number of civilian complaints about the use of force by an officer;
(E) the number of civilian complaints regarding discrimination and harassment;
(F) the number of officers who were suspended with pay;
(G) the number of officers who were suspended without pay;
(H) the percentage of patrol officers who were assigned to neighborhood patrols;
(I) the number of youth under the age of 18 years referred to intervention programs by officers;
(J) the number of calls for service involving substance abuse;
(K) the number of calls for service involving mental health issues;
(L) demographic information regarding individuals detained by the Department, including
(iv) any other demographic information voluntarily provided by the detainee;
(M) a description of the Department’s training standards and practices, including training and practices related to de-escalation; and
(N) a description of the Department’s community policing efforts, including community policing programs, participation in town hall meetings, and efforts to engage with schools, recreation centers, community centers, and senior centers.
(2) The Department must also provide the information reported under paragraph (1) to the Policing Advisory Commission established under Section 35-6. (2020 L.M.C., ch. 7, §1.)
