2018 Maryland Code
Public Safety
Title 3 - Law Enforcement
Subtitle 1 - Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights
§ 3-104. Investigation or interrogation of law enforcement officer
(a) In general. -- The investigation or interrogation by a law enforcement agency of a law enforcement officer for a reason that may lead to disciplinary action, demotion, or dismissal shall be conducted in accordance with this section.
(b) Interrogating or investigating officer. -- For purposes of this section, the investigating officer or interrogating officer shall be:
(1) a sworn law enforcement officer; or
(2) if requested by the Governor, the Attorney General or Attorney General's designee.
(c) Complaint that alleges brutality. --
(1) A complaint against a law enforcement officer that alleges brutality in the execution of the law enforcement officer's duties may not be investigated unless the complaint is signed and sworn to, under penalty of perjury, by:
(i) the aggrieved individual;
(ii) a member of the aggrieved individual's immediate family;
(iii) an individual with firsthand knowledge obtained because the individual:
1. was present at and observed the alleged incident; or
2. has a video recording of the incident that, to the best of the individual's knowledge, is unaltered; or
(iv) the parent or guardian of the minor child, if the alleged incident involves a minor child.
(2) Unless a complaint is filed within 366 days after the alleged brutality, an investigation that may lead to disciplinary action under this subtitle for brutality may not be initiated and an action may not be taken.
(d) Disclosures to law enforcement officer under investigation. --
(1) The law enforcement officer under investigation shall be informed of the name, rank, and command of:
(i) the law enforcement officer in charge of the investigation;
(ii) the interrogating officer; and
(iii) each individual present during an interrogation.
(2) Before an interrogation, the law enforcement officer under investigation shall be informed in writing of the nature of the investigation.
(e) Disclosures to law enforcement officer under arrest. -- If the law enforcement officer under interrogation is under arrest, or is likely to be placed under arrest as a result of the interrogation, the law enforcement officer shall be informed completely of all of the law enforcement officer's rights before the interrogation begins.
(f) Time of interrogation. -- Unless the seriousness of the investigation is of a degree that an immediate interrogation is required, the interrogation shall be conducted at a reasonable hour, preferably when the law enforcement officer is on duty.
(g) Place of interrogation. --
(1) The interrogation shall take place:
(i) at the office of the command of the investigating officer or at the office of the local precinct or police unit in which the incident allegedly occurred, as designated by the investigating officer; or
(ii) at another reasonable and appropriate place.
(2) The law enforcement officer under investigation may waive the right described in paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection.
(h) Conduct of interrogation. --
(1) All questions directed to the law enforcement officer under interrogation shall be asked by and through one interrogating officer during any one session of interrogation consistent with paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) Each session of interrogation shall:
(i) be for a reasonable period; and
(ii) allow for personal necessities and rest periods as reasonably necessary.
(i) Threat of transfer, dismissal, or disciplinary action prohibited. -- The law enforcement officer under interrogation may not be threatened with transfer, dismissal, or disciplinary action.
(j) Right to counsel. --
(1)
(i) On request, the law enforcement officer under interrogation has the right to be represented by counsel or another responsible representative of the law enforcement officer's choice who shall be present and available for consultation at all times during the interrogation.
(ii) The law enforcement officer may waive the right described in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.
(2)
(i) The interrogation shall be suspended for a period not exceeding 5 business days until representation is obtained.
(ii) Within that 5 business day period, the chief for good cause shown may extend the period for obtaining representation.
(3) During the interrogation, the law enforcement officer's counsel or representative may:
(i) request a recess at any time to consult with the law enforcement officer;
(ii) object to any question posed; and
(iii) state on the record outside the presence of the law enforcement officer the reason for the objection.
(k) Record of interrogation. --
(1) A complete record shall be kept of the entire interrogation, including all recess periods, of the law enforcement officer.
(2) The record may be written, taped, or transcribed.
(3) On completion of the investigation, and on request of the law enforcement officer under investigation or the law enforcement officer's counsel or representative, a copy of the record of the interrogation shall be made available at least 10 days before a hearing.
(l) Tests and examinations -- In general. --
(1) The law enforcement agency may order the law enforcement officer under investigation to submit to blood alcohol tests, blood, breath, or urine tests for controlled dangerous substances, polygraph examinations, or interrogations that specifically relate to the subject matter of the investigation.
(2) If the law enforcement agency orders the law enforcement officer to submit to a test, examination, or interrogation described in paragraph (1) of this subsection and the law enforcement officer refuses to do so, the law enforcement agency may commence an action that may lead to a punitive measure as a result of the refusal.
(3) If the law enforcement agency orders the law enforcement officer to submit to a test, examination, or interrogation described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the results of the test, examination, or interrogation are not admissible or discoverable in a criminal proceeding against the law enforcement officer.
(m) Tests and examinations -- Polygraph examinations. --
(1) If the law enforcement agency orders the law enforcement officer to submit to a polygraph examination, the results of the polygraph examination may not be used as evidence in an administrative hearing unless the law enforcement agency and the law enforcement officer agree to the admission of the results.
(2) The law enforcement officer's counsel or representative need not be present during the actual administration of a polygraph examination by a certified polygraph examiner if:
(i) the questions to be asked are reviewed with the law enforcement officer or the counsel or representative before the administration of the examination;
(ii) the counsel or representative is allowed to observe the administration of the examination; and
(iii) a copy of the final report of the examination by the certified polygraph examiner is made available to the law enforcement officer or the counsel or representative within a reasonable time, not exceeding 10 days, after completion of the examination.
(n) Information provided on completion of investigation. --
(1) On completion of an investigation and at least 10 days before a hearing, the law enforcement officer under investigation shall be:
(i) notified of the name of each witness and of each charge and specification against the law enforcement officer; and
(ii) provided with a copy of the investigatory file and any exculpatory information, if the law enforcement officer and the law enforcement officer's representative agree to:
1. execute a confidentiality agreement with the law enforcement agency not to disclose any material contained in the investigatory file and exculpatory information for any purpose other than to defend the law enforcement officer; and
2. pay a reasonable charge for the cost of reproducing the material.
(2) The law enforcement agency may exclude from the exculpatory information provided to a law enforcement officer under this subsection:
(i) the identity of confidential sources;
(ii) nonexculpatory information; and
(iii) recommendations as to charges, disposition, or punishment.
(o) Adverse material. --
(1) The law enforcement agency may not insert adverse material into a file of the law enforcement officer, except the file of the internal investigation or the intelligence division, unless the law enforcement officer has an opportunity to review, sign, receive a copy of, and comment in writing on the adverse material.
(2) The law enforcement officer may waive the right described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
