The Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to serving the residents of Montgomery County in a courteous and efficient manner. As an elected official and public servant the Sheriff answers directly to the residents of Montgomery County.
A relationship of trust and confidence between the Sheriff’s Office is essential to effective Law Enforcement. Deputies must be free to exercise their own judgment and take enforcement action in a reasonable, lawful and impartial manner without fear of reprisal. It is therefore important to establish a disciplinary process which enables the Sheriff’s Office to initiate positive, corrective action for improper conduct while at the same time protecting employees from unwarranted criticism for properly discharging their duties.
It is the policy of the Sheriff’s Office to provide a thorough, fair and expeditious disposition of complaints regarding the conduct of Sheriff’s Office employees. Further, it is the policy to invite residents to bring to the attention of the Sheriff’s Office complaints about the conduct of its employees whenever that resident believes the employee acted improperly. Complaints will be received courteously and will be investigated in accordance with departmental procedures and applicable laws.
Therefore the Sheriff’s Office has an Office of Professional Responsibility that investigates and responds to resident complaints. Employees of the Sheriff’s Office are highly trained professionals and work under stringent guidelines in the performance of their duties.
The Sheriffs Office realizes that people sometimes feel that it is necessary and encourages the residents we serve to bring to our attention incidents in which they feel a deputy may have acted inappropriately or in which they feel they may have been treated inappropriately.
When a complaint is received by the Sheriffs Office an Office of Professional Responsibility investigator conducts a full inquiry into the incident. This investigation can include interviews with witnesses and the plaintiff, interviews with deputies involved, policy reviews, review of laws governing actions and other inquiries.
Once the investigation is completed the Sheriff decides what action to take in resolving the incident. If the complaint is found to have merit the Sheriffs Office may find it necessary to provide additional training to deputies in a specific area, make policy changes, take disciplinary action against personnel involved, or other actions as deemed necessary.
This process is designed to improve service to the residents of Montgomery County. Each complaint will be investigated fully and you will be informed of the results of the investigation and any actions taken.
There are several ways to inform the Sheriffs Office of Complaints:
- Call the Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak to the Supervisor of the division the Deputy is assigned 240-777-7000.
- Write a letter to the Sheriffs Office describing the incident and list all parties involved and include witnesses.
- Complete the complaint form and forward it to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office. Forms available on this website or by contacting the Sheriff’s Office.
- Respond to the Sheriffs Office in person to file a complaint.
Download complaint or commendation forms here.
To contact the Office of Professional Responsibility directly regarding a complaint or commendation, please call or email:
Captain James Johnson (240) 777-7041
[email protected]
Lieutenant Keith Naff (240) 777-7099
[email protected]
Investigation Database
** No Hearing Boards Currently Scheduled. **
| Office of Professional Responsibility Case Number | Status |
|---|---|
| 23-05 | Under Review |
| 23-06 | Under Review |
Administrative Hearing Board
Internal investigations into allegations of deputy sheriff misconduct that can lead to disciplinary action, demotion, or dismissal, must be conducted in accordance with state law and the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights (LEOBR), Sections 3-101 through 3-112 of the Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. The LEOBR applies only to sworn agency personnel (deputy sheriffs). Internal discipline is separate from punishment that an employee may face as a result of a criminal charge.
When an Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigation results in a finding that an employee has engaged in misconduct by violating a law or a MCSO rule, policy, or procedure, that employee is subject to discipline. A deputy sheriff can request to be heard before an Administrative Hearing Board if he/she disputes the findings of a MCSO OPR investigation and/or the recommended discipline.
In accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland, Public Safety Article, Section 3-107 (e)(1)(ii), “the [Administrative] hearing shall be open to the public, unless the Sheriff finds a hearing must be closed for good cause, including to protect a confidential informant, an undercover officer, or a child witness.”
Administrative Hearing Board Schedule
** No Hearing Boards Currently Scheduled. **
| Office of Professional Responsibility Case Number | Scheduled Date of Hearing | Time | Location |
|---|
*The Office of Professional Responsibility compiles annual statistical summaries, based upon records of internal investigations, which are made available to the public by clicking on the links below.*