Legislative Authority

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Montgomery County Code Section 35-6 establishes the 13 member Police Advisory Commission and defines the Commission’s duties to:

  • advise the Council on policing matters;
  • provide information regarding best practices on policing matters;
  • recommend policies, programs, legislation, or regulations;
  • comment on matters referred to it by the Council;
  • conduct at least one public forum each year for community input on policing matters;
  • engage in public education; and
  • submit an annual report.

The Commission is composed of 11 public voting members and 2 non-voting, ex-officio members. The Council appoints all 13 members, 9 of which are nominated by individual Councilmembers and 4 which are nominated by the County Executive. Of the 4 County Executive nominees, one must be 25 years or age or younger at the time of appointment and another must be between the ages of 26-35 at the time of appointment. The 2 ex officio members are: the Police Chief (or his designee) and the President of an employee organization certified under Article V of Chapter 33. Each member serves a term of 3 years.

The Commission members are to reflect the diversity of the County’s communities, with emphasis on those disproportionately impacted by inequities. Members must also have an interest or expertise in policing matters.