(a) Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
Active listening means a process by which parties reach a peaceful resolution to a dispute, including through the skills of:
(1) managing stress quickly while remaining alert and calm;
(2) controlling emotions and behavior;
(3) paying attention to the words and feelings expressed by others; and
(4) being aware of and respecting differences.
Cadet or police cadet means a uniformed civilian employee of the Department who participates in the Cadet Program established by the Department for college students.
Civic engagement means participation by community members in social and political processes designed to communicate ideas, values, and beliefs, and to promote legal, political, or social change.
Community policing means a policing strategy to develop trusting relationships with the community, and to work in partnership with the community to address crime, public safety, and quality of life issues.
Health means a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Police academy means the entry-level police training academy required by the Department for all prospective police officers.
Policing history means a social, political, and historical understanding of why and how policing developed in the United States, including an examination of the transitional eras of policing (Political Era, Reform/Professional Era, and Community Era) and the structural changes that occurred under each of those eras since the mid nineteenth century.
Racial equity has the meaning stated in Section 2-64A.
Social justice has the meaning stated in Section 2-64A.
Wellness means a positive approach to living.
(b) Cadet program. The Department must collaborate and partner with local educational institutions to:
(1) expand the recruitment of police cadets who reflect the diversity of the County;
(2) sponsor communication sessions with prospective cadets and community members; and
(3) develop internship programs for prospective cadets.
(c) Police academy – required program regarding community services and social justice.
(1) Prior to the commencement of field training, a member of the police academy must complete a program regarding community services and social justice.
(2) The program must consist of 30 hours or their equivalent.
(3) The program must be designed, in collaboration and partnership with one or more local educational institutions, to develop competency in the topics of:
(A) racial equity and social justice;
(B) health and wellness;
(C) community policing;
(D) policing history;
(E) active listening and conflict resolution; and
(F) civic engagement.
(4) In selecting an applicant for admission into the police academy, the Department must consider:
(A) the applicant’s performance in the program under this subsection; and
(B) the applicant’s performance in any implicit bias test required by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.
(d) Continuing Education. The Department must collaborate and partner with local educational institutions and national law enforcement professional organizations to provide continuing education, as demonstrated by the awarding of Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) or similar credentialing indicating content mastery:
(1) to all County police officers regarding:
(A) socially just policing and community engagement; and
(B) emerging topics in law enforcement, including cybersecurity, human trafficking, and proactive community engagement;
(2) to executive-level police officers regarding leadership and management challenges in socially just policing; and
(3) to new police sergeants regarding supervisory skills, with a focus on community policing, mentorship, and ethical leadership.
(e) State requirements. The training provided under this Section must incorporate to the extent practicable, and must comply with, the requirements of the Public Safety Article of the Maryland Code, including the Maryland Use of Force Statute. (2022 L.M.C., ch. 29, §1.)
Editor’s note—2022 L.M.C., ch. 29, §§ 2 and 3, state: Sec. 2. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the Community Informed Police Training Act.
Sec. 3. Effective Date. This Act must take effect on the 181st day after it becomes law.