2013 Maryland Code
PUBLIC SAFETY
§ 3-107 - Hearing by hearing board

§3-107.

(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and § 3-111 of this subtitle, if the investigation or interrogation of a law enforcement officer results in a recommendation of demotion, dismissal, transfer, loss of pay, reassignment, or similar action that is considered punitive, the law enforcement officer is entitled to a hearing on the issues by a hearing board before the law enforcement agency takes that action.

(2) A law enforcement officer who has been convicted of a felony is not entitled to a hearing under this section.

(b) (1) The law enforcement agency shall give notice to the law enforcement officer of the right to a hearing by a hearing board under this section.

(2) The notice required under this subsection shall state the time and place of the hearing and the issues involved.

(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection and in § 3-111 of this subtitle, the hearing board authorized under this section shall consist of at least three members who:

(i) are appointed by the chief and chosen from law enforcement officers within that law enforcement agency, or from law enforcement officers of another law enforcement agency with the approval of the chief of the other agency; and

(ii) have had no part in the investigation or interrogation of the law enforcement officer.

(2) At least one member of the hearing board shall be of the same rank as the law enforcement officer against whom the complaint is filed.

(3) (i) If the chief is the law enforcement officer under investigation, the chief of another law enforcement agency in the State shall function as the law enforcement officer of the same rank on the hearing board.

(ii) If the chief of a State law enforcement agency is under investigation, the Governor shall appoint the chief of another law enforcement agency to function as the law enforcement officer of the same rank on the hearing board.

(iii) If the chief of a law enforcement agency of a county or municipal corporation is under investigation, the official authorized to appoint the chief’s successor shall appoint the chief of another law enforcement agency to function as the law enforcement officer of the same rank on the hearing board.

(iv) If the chief of a State law enforcement agency or the chief of a law enforcement agency of a county or municipal corporation is under investigation, the official authorized to appoint the chief’s successor, or that official’s designee, shall function as the chief for purposes of this subtitle.

(4) (i) A law enforcement agency or the agency’s superior governmental authority that has recognized and certified an exclusive collective bargaining representative may negotiate with the representative an alternative method of forming a hearing board.

(ii) A law enforcement officer may elect the alternative method of forming a hearing board if:

1. the law enforcement officer works in a law enforcement agency described in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph; and

2. the law enforcement officer is included in the collective bargaining unit.

(iii) The law enforcement agency shall notify the law enforcement officer in writing before a hearing board is formed that the law enforcement officer may elect an alternative method of forming a hearing board if one has been negotiated under this paragraph.

(iv) If the law enforcement officer elects the alternative method, that method shall be used to form the hearing board.

(v) An agency or exclusive collective bargaining representative may not require a law enforcement officer to elect an alternative method of forming a hearing board.

(vi) If the law enforcement officer has been offered summary punishment, an alternative method of forming a hearing board may not be used.

(vii) If authorized by local law, this paragraph is subject to binding arbitration.

(d) (1) In connection with a disciplinary hearing, the chief or hearing board may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, records, and documents as relevant or necessary.

(2) The subpoenas may be served without cost in accordance with the Maryland Rules that relate to service of process issued by a court.

(3) Each party may request the chief or hearing board to issue a subpoena or order under this subtitle.

(4) In case of disobedience or refusal to obey a subpoena served under this subsection, the chief or hearing board may apply without cost to the circuit court of a county where the subpoenaed party resides or conducts business, for an order to compel the attendance and testimony of the witness or the production of the books, papers, records, and documents.

(5) On a finding that the attendance and testimony of the witness or the production of the books, papers, records, and documents is relevant or necessary:

(i) the court may issue without cost an order that requires the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of books, papers, records, and documents; and

(ii) failure to obey the order may be punished by the court as contempt.

(e) (1) The hearing shall be conducted by a hearing board.

(2) The hearing board shall give the law enforcement agency and law enforcement officer ample opportunity to present evidence and argument about the issues involved.

(3) The law enforcement agency and law enforcement officer may be represented by counsel.

(4) Each party has the right to cross-examine witnesses who testify and each party may submit rebuttal evidence.

(f) (1) Evidence with probative value that is commonly accepted by reasonable and prudent individuals in the conduct of their affairs is admissible and shall be given probative effect.

(2) The hearing board shall give effect to the rules of privilege recognized by law and shall exclude incompetent, irrelevant, immaterial, and unduly repetitious evidence.

(3) Each record or document that a party desires to use shall be offered and made a part of the record.

(4) Documentary evidence may be received in the form of copies or excerpts, or by incorporation by reference.

(g) (1) The hearing board may take notice of:

(i) judicially cognizable facts; and

(ii) general, technical, or scientific facts within its specialized knowledge.

(2) The hearing board shall:

(i) notify each party of the facts so noticed either before or during the hearing, or by reference in preliminary reports or otherwise; and

(ii) give each party an opportunity and reasonable time to contest the facts so noticed.

(3) The hearing board may utilize its experience, technical competence, and specialized knowledge in the evaluation of the evidence presented.

(h) (1) With respect to the subject of a hearing conducted under this subtitle, the chief shall administer oaths or affirmations and examine individuals under oath.

(2) In connection with a disciplinary hearing, the chief or a hearing board may administer oaths.

(i) (1) Witness fees and mileage, if claimed, shall be allowed the same as for testimony in a circuit court.

(2) Witness fees, mileage, and the actual expenses necessarily incurred in securing the attendance of witnesses and their testimony shall be itemized and paid by the law enforcement agency.

(j) An official record, including testimony and exhibits, shall be kept of the hearing.