In this title, the following words have the meanings indicated.
(1) "Criminal prosecution" means a proceeding that is prosecuted by the State or the United States against a public safety employee or inspector charged with a public offense for an act or omission committed in the course and scope of the employment or the performance of duties as an employee of the County.
(2) "Defense expenses" means court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and other legal expenses related to defending an internal investigation of a public safety employee or criminal prosecution of a public safety employee or inspector.
(3) "Favorable final determination" means a criminal prosecution resulting in a finding of not guilty on all charges; a final reversal, through appellate proceedings, of a finding of guilt; a mistrial, without further prosecution; or the entry of nolle prosequi on all charges based on the prosecutor's determination that the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction, but the term does not include a plea of nolo contendere.
(4) "Favorable final finding" means an administrative determination exonerating a public safety employee of the charges brought in accordance with an internal investigation or resulting in no disciplinary action against a public safety employee after an internal investigation.
(5) "Fund" means the Criminal Reimbursement Expense Fund for the County created by this title.
(6) "Inspector" means an individual who, while acting within the scope of and during the course of employment with the County or performance of that individual's duties on behalf of the County, inspects properties for compliance with County law.
(7) "Internal investigation" means an investigation into or administrative proceeding concerning alleged or suspected misconduct or a violation of rules and regulations or duties and responsibilities against a public safety employee for an act or omission committed while acting within the scope of and during the course of employment with or performance of duties as an employee of the County that is conducted by the County Police or Fire Department or a federal or State agency, division, or organization when that investigation results from a complaint or accusation by a person other than a member of the same department as the employee.
(8) "Public safety employee" means the following individuals while they are acting within the scope of and during the course of employment with or performance of their duties on behalf of the County: sworn, paid members of the County Police and Fire Departments; County Detention Center officers; and members of the County Volunteer Fire Departments and Rescue Squads.
(1985 Code, Art. 2, § 6-101) (Bill No. 4-90; Bill No. 95-91; Bill No. 23-04)