Anne Arundel County Police
Community Relations Council
Constitution and By-Laws
ARTICLE 1: NAME
The name of the organization is the "Anne Arundel County Police Community Relations Council", with each district council identifying itself by the appropriate district title.
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE
A. The Anne Arundel Police-Community Relations Council is a voluntary, independent, self-constituted advisory body. It is not established by ordinance and does not have legal sanction. It does not constitute, nor does it represent itself as an official or unofficial arm of the Anne Arundel County Community Police Department or any other official body or entity. Its sole interest is the promotion of better, closer and more effective relations between the police and the community in the best interest of the entire community.
B. The purpose of the council is to promote the relationships and understanding necessary to achieve the common goals of the maintenance of law and order, the reduction of crime and the protection of the community.
ARTICLE 3: OBJECTIVES
A. To promote increased understanding between the police department and the citizens of the county.
B. To promote increased cooperation between the police department and communities and community organizations.
C. To secure public cooperation with the police department through better understanding the communication.
D. To acquaint citizens with their responsibilities in the preservation of law and order through various programs.
E. To acquaint the general public with police activities and police administered programs.
F. To assist in crime prevention and serve as a focal point for community improvements.
G.To serve as a liaison between the police department and communities and community organizations.
H. To consult with police department personnel on problems of law enforcement and render suggestions for improving police
service.
I. To assist police in the education of all citizens on means of reducing the opportunities for crime to occur.
J.To promote the use of existing facilities and agencies in the department and each district.
K. To refer to the police department questions involving clarification of police department policy.
L. To seek, with the concurrence of its District Council members, changes in state laws and county ordinances that will
enhance the safety of county citizens and the reduction of crime.
ARTICLE 4: ORGANIZATION
A. Membership
1. Any resident or association of Anne Arundel County who has paid their annual dues to any District is a member in good
standing in that District Council. Good standing entitles the member to voting privileges, membership on any committee
established by the council and receipt of newsletters, and other information disseminated by the Council.
2. Each District Council shall consist of all members in good standing. The County Police District Commander and any
personnel designated by the District Commander will be participants in the organization and operation of each District
Council in a a liaison and advisory capacity.
3. Anyone who wishes to be a member but cannot afford to pay his or her dues will become a member in good standing
upon approval of the district president.
4. The amount of dues will be set by each District Council and will be on a calendar year basis. A ninety-day grace period
will be granted for payment of dues. Dues received from new members joining in the last quarter of the year will cover
membership through the following year.
B. District Boundaries
The boundaries of each District Council shall be identical to the police district boundaries as determined by the Anne
Arundel County Police Department and will change automatically as police districts are changed.
C. Meetings
1. Each District Council shall meet monthly unless otherwise specified by the President (such as vacation months). Council
meeting will be open to the public. The members present shall constitute a quorum.
2. Special meeting may be called if necessary at the direction of the President and will be called at the oral or written
request of the District Commander or the written request of eight members.
3. Each District Council may determine organizational or operational policy not prescribed by these by-laws.
D. District Officer and Duties
1. President
a. Preside at meetings and represent the council at other functions and activities when necessary or appropriate.
b. Prepare an agenda for regular monthly meetings.
c. The District President may establish standing and/or temporary committees as deemed necessary and appoint
committee members, provided that the committee chair is a member in good standing. When formed, committees
should keep the Council President and membership informed of events and developments through regular reports.
Committees may, with the concurrence of the Council President, hold workshops, prepare press releases and become
involved in legislation as it pertains tother particular subject. Suggested committees are listed in appendix A to these
by-laws.
d. Keep the District Commander informed of council activities and programs.
e. Make emergency decisions between meetings and report the circumstances to the membership at the next regular
meetings.
f. Serve as a member of the Executive Board.
2. Vice-President
a. Assume duties of the President in his or her absence.
b. Assist in coordinating the activities of the Council as Directed by the President.
c. Serve as a member of the Executive Board unless it is filled by a committee chairperson.
3. Secretary
a. Keep the minutes of all meetings.
b. Receive and send correspondence on behalf of the Council.
c. Assist the President in preparing the agenda for meeting and maintaining accurate records of Council membership
matters.
4. Treasurer
a. Maintain an accurate and current record of all money received and dispersed.
b. Provide financial reports at each meeting or when called upon by the President to do so.
c. Provide financial records for inspection when called upon.
E. Conduct of Business
1. Meetings will be conducted with the following order of business, except the the President may suspend the normal order
to accommodate guest speakers, visitors or other special circumstances.
a. Call to Order
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Secretary's Report
d. Treasurer's Report
e. District Commander's Report
f. Committee Reports
g. Old Business
h. New Business
i. Adjournment
2. Voting on matters before the Council, including elections, shall be by voice or show of hands, unless a motion is made,
seconded and passed for voting by secret ballot.
F. District Elections
1. District Council officers will be elected at the November meeting. Nominees shall be selected from those members who
have been in good standing for the previous 12 months. Officers may succeed themselves.
2. The newly elected officers will be installed at the January meeting, with the Oath of Office administered by the District
Commander or other appropriate official.
3. Vacancies which occur will be filled by appointment by the Council President on a pro-ten basis until an election can be
held at a regular business meeting.
4. An announcement of all elections will be included in the District meeting notice for October.
G. Removal of District Officers
Should circumstances indicate the apparent need to remove an elected officer, the District Council President (or Vice-
President, if the individual is the President) shall appoint a special committee to investigate the circumstances. The
committee shall provide the individual in writing with an opportunity to respond, either orally or in writing. Removal shall be
by a two-thirds vote of members in good standing at a regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose. The
individual shall have the right to attend that meeting and speak on his or her own behalf.
ARTICLE 5: EXECUTIVE BOARD
A. The Executive Board shall consist of the following from each District Council: The Council President, The Council Vice-
President or a committee chairperson, and one member other than an elected or appointed officer to serve at large. The
Chief of Police and his and her designated District Liaison Officers are members of the Board in an advisory capacity. The
appropriate District Council shall fill vacancies consistent with this paragraph. The District President may designate an
alternate to attend in the case of a temporary absence of a regular member.
B. The purpose of the Executive Board is to provide for a dialogue between District Councils, to establish consistent positions
on issues and goes, to coordinate the efforts of the District Councils on countywide programs, to exchange information on
District Council activities, and to resolve mutual problems through cooperative action.
C. The officers of the Executive Board shall be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer, to elected at the
January meeting to serve for one year or until their successors are elected. Officers may succeed themselves. Vacancies
among Executive Board officers will be filled by election at the next regular meeting to serve for the remainder of the term,
provided that a notice of election is given to all Executive Board members at least five days prior to the meeting.
D. The Executive Board will meet on a quarterly basis, with the first meeting January. The Chairman of the Board will
determine the dates, times, and locations. The Chairman may call special meetings as necessary, provided that all
Executive Board members are notified at least five days in advance.
E. A simple majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
F. The Chairman will preside at all meetings of the Executive Board.
G. The Vice-Chairman will assume the duties of the Chairman in his or her absence and will assist in coordinating the
activities of the Executive Board as directed by the Chairman.
H. The Secretary/Treasurer will keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, send out meeting notices, attend to
correspondence, and be the custodian of all money or other valuables the Executive Board may possess, making reports at
each meeting or when called upon to do so by the Chairman.
I. Removal action within the Executive Board will follow the same procedure as established for the District Council, except
that the Chairman (Vice-Chairman, if the individual is the Chairman) will appoint at least one District Council President to the
special committee and that the President will be from a District other than the individual.
ARTICLE 6: AMENDMENTS
A. Amendments to these By-Laws may be proposed by any District Council or by the Executive Board, based on a majority
vote of members in good standing at the proposing entity. Proposals originating in a District Council will be conveyed to the
Executive Board.
B. The Executive Board will distribute the proposed amendment(s) to the President of each District Council, with its
recommendation regarding adoption.
C. The District Council President will cause the proposed amendment(s) to be read at two consecutive meetings, or, in case of
lengthy amendments, provide all members with a written version. At the second meeting, a vote will be taken, requiring a
two-thirds vote of members in good standing for adoption.
D. Once all District Councils have favorably voted for the amendment(s), it/they will be in effect.
The name of the organization is the "Anne Arundel County Police Community Relations Council", with each district council identifying itself by the appropriate district title.
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE
A. The Anne Arundel Police-Community Relations Council is a voluntary, independent, self-constituted advisory body. It is not established by ordinance and does not have legal sanction. It does not constitute, nor does it represent itself as an official or unofficial arm of the Anne Arundel County Community Police Department or any other official body or entity. Its sole interest is the promotion of better, closer and more effective relations between the police and the community in the best interest of the entire community.
B. The purpose of the council is to promote the relationships and understanding necessary to achieve the common goals of the maintenance of law and order, the reduction of crime and the protection of the community.
ARTICLE 3: OBJECTIVES
A. To promote increased understanding between the police department and the citizens of the county.
B. To promote increased cooperation between the police department and communities and community organizations.
C. To secure public cooperation with the police department through better understanding the communication.
D. To acquaint citizens with their responsibilities in the preservation of law and order through various programs.
E. To acquaint the general public with police activities and police administered programs.
F. To assist in crime prevention and serve as a focal point for community improvements.
G.To serve as a liaison between the police department and communities and community organizations.
H. To consult with police department personnel on problems of law enforcement and render suggestions for improving police
service.
I. To assist police in the education of all citizens on means of reducing the opportunities for crime to occur.
J.To promote the use of existing facilities and agencies in the department and each district.
K. To refer to the police department questions involving clarification of police department policy.
L. To seek, with the concurrence of its District Council members, changes in state laws and county ordinances that will
enhance the safety of county citizens and the reduction of crime.
ARTICLE 4: ORGANIZATION
A. Membership
1. Any resident or association of Anne Arundel County who has paid their annual dues to any District is a member in good
standing in that District Council. Good standing entitles the member to voting privileges, membership on any committee
established by the council and receipt of newsletters, and other information disseminated by the Council.
2. Each District Council shall consist of all members in good standing. The County Police District Commander and any
personnel designated by the District Commander will be participants in the organization and operation of each District
Council in a a liaison and advisory capacity.
3. Anyone who wishes to be a member but cannot afford to pay his or her dues will become a member in good standing
upon approval of the district president.
4. The amount of dues will be set by each District Council and will be on a calendar year basis. A ninety-day grace period
will be granted for payment of dues. Dues received from new members joining in the last quarter of the year will cover
membership through the following year.
B. District Boundaries
The boundaries of each District Council shall be identical to the police district boundaries as determined by the Anne
Arundel County Police Department and will change automatically as police districts are changed.
C. Meetings
1. Each District Council shall meet monthly unless otherwise specified by the President (such as vacation months). Council
meeting will be open to the public. The members present shall constitute a quorum.
2. Special meeting may be called if necessary at the direction of the President and will be called at the oral or written
request of the District Commander or the written request of eight members.
3. Each District Council may determine organizational or operational policy not prescribed by these by-laws.
D. District Officer and Duties
1. President
a. Preside at meetings and represent the council at other functions and activities when necessary or appropriate.
b. Prepare an agenda for regular monthly meetings.
c. The District President may establish standing and/or temporary committees as deemed necessary and appoint
committee members, provided that the committee chair is a member in good standing. When formed, committees
should keep the Council President and membership informed of events and developments through regular reports.
Committees may, with the concurrence of the Council President, hold workshops, prepare press releases and become
involved in legislation as it pertains tother particular subject. Suggested committees are listed in appendix A to these
by-laws.
d. Keep the District Commander informed of council activities and programs.
e. Make emergency decisions between meetings and report the circumstances to the membership at the next regular
meetings.
f. Serve as a member of the Executive Board.
2. Vice-President
a. Assume duties of the President in his or her absence.
b. Assist in coordinating the activities of the Council as Directed by the President.
c. Serve as a member of the Executive Board unless it is filled by a committee chairperson.
3. Secretary
a. Keep the minutes of all meetings.
b. Receive and send correspondence on behalf of the Council.
c. Assist the President in preparing the agenda for meeting and maintaining accurate records of Council membership
matters.
4. Treasurer
a. Maintain an accurate and current record of all money received and dispersed.
b. Provide financial reports at each meeting or when called upon by the President to do so.
c. Provide financial records for inspection when called upon.
E. Conduct of Business
1. Meetings will be conducted with the following order of business, except the the President may suspend the normal order
to accommodate guest speakers, visitors or other special circumstances.
a. Call to Order
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Secretary's Report
d. Treasurer's Report
e. District Commander's Report
f. Committee Reports
g. Old Business
h. New Business
i. Adjournment
2. Voting on matters before the Council, including elections, shall be by voice or show of hands, unless a motion is made,
seconded and passed for voting by secret ballot.
F. District Elections
1. District Council officers will be elected at the November meeting. Nominees shall be selected from those members who
have been in good standing for the previous 12 months. Officers may succeed themselves.
2. The newly elected officers will be installed at the January meeting, with the Oath of Office administered by the District
Commander or other appropriate official.
3. Vacancies which occur will be filled by appointment by the Council President on a pro-ten basis until an election can be
held at a regular business meeting.
4. An announcement of all elections will be included in the District meeting notice for October.
G. Removal of District Officers
Should circumstances indicate the apparent need to remove an elected officer, the District Council President (or Vice-
President, if the individual is the President) shall appoint a special committee to investigate the circumstances. The
committee shall provide the individual in writing with an opportunity to respond, either orally or in writing. Removal shall be
by a two-thirds vote of members in good standing at a regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose. The
individual shall have the right to attend that meeting and speak on his or her own behalf.
ARTICLE 5: EXECUTIVE BOARD
A. The Executive Board shall consist of the following from each District Council: The Council President, The Council Vice-
President or a committee chairperson, and one member other than an elected or appointed officer to serve at large. The
Chief of Police and his and her designated District Liaison Officers are members of the Board in an advisory capacity. The
appropriate District Council shall fill vacancies consistent with this paragraph. The District President may designate an
alternate to attend in the case of a temporary absence of a regular member.
B. The purpose of the Executive Board is to provide for a dialogue between District Councils, to establish consistent positions
on issues and goes, to coordinate the efforts of the District Councils on countywide programs, to exchange information on
District Council activities, and to resolve mutual problems through cooperative action.
C. The officers of the Executive Board shall be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer, to elected at the
January meeting to serve for one year or until their successors are elected. Officers may succeed themselves. Vacancies
among Executive Board officers will be filled by election at the next regular meeting to serve for the remainder of the term,
provided that a notice of election is given to all Executive Board members at least five days prior to the meeting.
D. The Executive Board will meet on a quarterly basis, with the first meeting January. The Chairman of the Board will
determine the dates, times, and locations. The Chairman may call special meetings as necessary, provided that all
Executive Board members are notified at least five days in advance.
E. A simple majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
F. The Chairman will preside at all meetings of the Executive Board.
G. The Vice-Chairman will assume the duties of the Chairman in his or her absence and will assist in coordinating the
activities of the Executive Board as directed by the Chairman.
H. The Secretary/Treasurer will keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings, send out meeting notices, attend to
correspondence, and be the custodian of all money or other valuables the Executive Board may possess, making reports at
each meeting or when called upon to do so by the Chairman.
I. Removal action within the Executive Board will follow the same procedure as established for the District Council, except
that the Chairman (Vice-Chairman, if the individual is the Chairman) will appoint at least one District Council President to the
special committee and that the President will be from a District other than the individual.
ARTICLE 6: AMENDMENTS
A. Amendments to these By-Laws may be proposed by any District Council or by the Executive Board, based on a majority
vote of members in good standing at the proposing entity. Proposals originating in a District Council will be conveyed to the
Executive Board.
B. The Executive Board will distribute the proposed amendment(s) to the President of each District Council, with its
recommendation regarding adoption.
C. The District Council President will cause the proposed amendment(s) to be read at two consecutive meetings, or, in case of
lengthy amendments, provide all members with a written version. At the second meeting, a vote will be taken, requiring a
two-thirds vote of members in good standing for adoption.
D. Once all District Councils have favorably voted for the amendment(s), it/they will be in effect.