The Police Accountability Board receives complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public. On a quarterly basis, the Board meets with heads of law enforcement agencies and works with those agencies and County government to improve County policing.
Legal mandates providing for the Board also authorized Charging Committees and Trial Boards, whose civilian members are appointed by the Police Accountability Board. On a quarterly basis, the Board reviews disciplinary matters considered by Charging Committees.
Appointed to two-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Police Accountability Board consists of nine members. The County Executive chooses the Chair (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 3-102 through 3-104).
Meeting at least monthly, the Committee reviews the findings of each law enforcement agency’s investigation of police misconduct complaints forwarded by the agency to the Committee. From information related to the investigation, the Committee makes determinations and recommendations. It may review body camera footage, call a police officer before the Committee, determine if a police officer should be charged administratively, or recommend discipline. The Committee may submit written opinions to the director of the law enforcement agency, and to the accused police officer, the complainant, and the Police Accountability Board.
Five members constitute the Committee. Two are appointed to two-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent, and two by the Police Accountability Board. One member serves ex officio. Annually, the Chair is chosen by the Committee (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 3-102 through 3-104).
TRIAL BOARD
Three members constitute the Trial Board. One is appointed by the County Council, one by the Police Accountability Board, and one by the head of the law enforcement agency that investigated the police misconduct complaint (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 3-102 through 3-104).
In June 2022, the Trial Board was created by the County Council at the request of the Acting County Executive (Bill no. 2022-04).
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
The Director has custody of and safeguards all funds and securities belonging to or by law deposited with, distributed to or handled by the County. The Director keeps and supervises all County accounts; disburses County funds; and bears responsibility for the detection of all payroll items, vouchers, bills and other claims or demands that are fraudulent, erroneous, unauthorized by law or otherwise invalid. The Director also accounts for County funds and property, including securities, special bonds and insurance policies; and prepares an annual public financial report, and a monthly public statement of the receipts and expenditures of the County (County Charter, Art. V, sec. 505). In addition, the Director is responsible for certain budgetary functions (County Charter, Art. VII; County Code, secs. 29-1 through 29-17).
All County tax bills and notices of special assessments are prepared and mailed out by this department.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
The Board's five members are appointed to three-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent (County Charter, Art. VI, secs. 603-605).
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF PURCHASING
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The Department of Finance is headed by the Director of Finance who administers the financial affairs of the County. The Director collects State and County taxes, special assessments, urban service charges, fees and other revenues, and funds of every kind due to the County and to any municipality in Wicomico County.
Conducting research, the Department of Human Resources develops procedures and policies for County employment. The Department coordinates all County employee hiring, training, and management, and advises County agencies on federal and State personnel regulations. In matters of collective bargaining, the County is represented by the Department (County Charter, Art. VI, secs. 601-611; County Code, secs. 59-1 through 59-14).
PERSONNEL BOARD
Established by amendment to the County Charter in 1968, the Personnel Board serves as the formal grievance review board to hear and decide appeals from personnel actions. The Board's decisions are final and binding on all parties. The Board also advises County officials on matters concerning personnel rules and regulations, and
reports to the County Executive and County Council on the operation of the personnel system.
Meeting the digital requirements of County agencies, the Department of Information Technology provides technology systems, networks, security, and maintenance. Offering analysis and consultation, the Department develops software and networks to advance agency productivity and efficiency.
The Department of Purchasing manages County purchases and contracts, establishes procurement guidelines and procedures, and maintains receipt records. With the exception of certain purchases by the County Board of Education, the Department oversees all purchases, storage, and warehousing of County materials and equipment, and conducts the sale of surplus property. In cases of larger contracts or purchases, the Department collects competitive bids to see that County needs are met at the lowest cost (County Charter, Art. VIII, secs. 801-803).
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