By-Laws

Anne Arundel County
Police Community Relations Council

Constitution and By-Laws

Dated: 2019

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

The Anne Arundel County 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 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.
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

To promote increased understanding between the police department and the citizens of the county.
To promote increased cooperation between the police department and communities and community organizations.
To secure public cooperation with the police department through better understanding and communication.
To acquaint citizens with their responsibilities in the preservation of law and order through various programs.
To acquaint the general public with police activities and police administered programs.
To assist in crime prevention and serve as a focal point for community improvements.
To serve as a liaison between the police department and communities and community organizations.
To consult with police department personnel on problems of law enforcement and render suggestions for improving police service.
To assist police in the education of all citizens on means of reducing the opportunities for crime to occur.
To promote the use of existing facilities and agencies in the department and each district.
To refer to the police department questions involving clarification of police department policy.
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

Membership

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.
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 liaison and advisory capacity.
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.
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.

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.

MEETINGS

Each District Council shall meet monthly unless otherwise specified by the President (such as vacation months). Council meetings will be open to the public. The members present shall constitute a quorum.
Special meetings 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.
Each District Council may determine organizational or operational policy not prescribed by these by-laws.

District Officers and Duties

President

Preside at meetings and represent the council at other functions and activities when necessary or appropriate.
Prepare an agenda for regular monthly meetings.
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 to their particular subject. Suggested committees are listed in Appendix A to these by-laws.
Keep the District Commander informed of council activities and programs.
Make emergency decisions between meetings and report the circumstances to the membership at the next regular meetings.
Serve as a member of the Executive Board.

VICE-PRESIDENT

Assume duties of the President in his or her absence.
Assist in coordinating the activities of the Council as directed by the President.
Serve as a member of the Executive Board unless it is filled by a committee chairperson.

SECRETARY

Keep the minutes of all meetings.
Receive and send correspondence on behalf of the Council.
Assist the President in preparing the agenda for meetings and maintaining accurate records of Council membership matters.

TREASURER

Maintain an accurate and current record of all money received and dispersed.
Provide financial reports at each meeting or when called upon by the President to do so.
Provide financial records for inspection when called upon.

CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
Meetings will be conducted with the following order of business, except that the President may suspend the normal order to accommodate guest speakers, visitors or other special circumstances.

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Secretary’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
District Commander’s Report
Committee Reports
Old Business
New Business
Adjournment

DISTRICT ELECTIONS

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.
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.
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.
Vacancies which occur will be filled by appointment by the Council President on a pro-tem basis until an election can be held at a regular business meeting.
An announcement of all elections will be included in the district meeting notice for October.
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

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.
The purpose of the Executive Board is to provide for a dialogue between District Councils, to establish consistent positions on issues and goals, 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.
The officers of the Executive Board shall be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer, to be 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.
The Executive Board will meet on a quarterly basis, with the first meeting in 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.
A simple majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
The Chairman will preside at all meetings of the Executive Board.
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.
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.
Removal action within the Executive Board will follow the same procedure as established for the District Council, except that the Chairman (or Vice-Chairman, if the individual is the Chairman) will appoint at least one District Council President to the special committee and that President will be from a District other than the individual.

ARTICLE 6: AMENDMENTS

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 from a District Council will be conveyed to the Executive Board.
The Executive Board will distribute the proposed amendment(s) to the President of each District Council, together with its recommendation regarding adoption.
The District Council President will cause the proposed amendment(s) to be read at two consecutive meetings, or, in the 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.
Once all District Councils have favorably voted for the amendment(s), it/they will be in effect.

ARTICLE 7: DISSOLUTION

Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code or to the Anne Arundel County Police Department for a public purpose.

APPENDIX A
SUGGESTED COMMITTEES

The formation of committees and subcommittees, at the discretion of the Executive Board and District Councils, can be a useful means of channeling various programs and items of interest.

CRIME/CRIME PREVENTION
Statistics: Monitoring and reporting on crime reports and trends.
Operation Identification: Publicizing Operation Identification and distributing literature on the program. Explaining its value to residents and community organizations and encouraging participation.
Home Security: Promoting home protection measures and informing citizens on what they can do to protect their homes and possessions.
Security Patrols: Encouraging and advising community groups on the formation, operation and conduct of security patrols. Providing assistance in establishing patrols.

SERVICE
Membership: Maintaining records on Council membership and developing programs and membership drives to increase membership through phone calls, contacts with community organizations, press announcements, etc.
Public Relations: Publishing notices of meetings and other activities. Keeping the media and public aware of Council programs and activities.
Program: Assisting the president in selecting, developing and implementing programs for Council meetings and special activities.

SPECIFIC ISSUES
Youth: Reporting on activities regarding youths and on matters relating to juvenile/adult relations. Keeping in touch with juvenile service agencies and advising the council on programs to develop and/or assist in programs for youths.
Traffic Safety: Monitoring traffic programs and unsafe conditions, bringing them to the attention of the Council and appropriate police and traffic engineering officials. Maintaining liaison with police Traffic Safety and County Traffic Engineering offices. Promoting safe driving practices.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Maintaining liaison with police and county drug and alcohol abuse offices to obtain information on abuse problems and abuse treatment/prevention programs. Promoting activities to reduce drug and alcohol abuse.
Legislative Affairs: Monitoring county and state legislative matters of interest to the Council. Researching and promoting legislation pertaining to criminal justice, crime prevention and community safety.

APPENDIX B
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

   At the January installation of the elected District Council officers, the installing official will administer the oath of office as prescribed in this Appendix.
   The officers-elect will stand before the membership.
INSTALLING OFFICER:
   “Members of the ____________ District Police-Community Relations Council, these are the officers you have elected for the following year.
   “Officers-elect, raise your right hand and repeat after me:
       I,____________________, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS SET FORTH FOR THE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL AND TO ACT AT ALL TIMES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE MEMBERSHIP AND THE CITIZENS OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY. I PLEDGE TO HOLD MY OFFICE JUSTLY, HONESTLY AND FAITHFULLY, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS MY TERM EXPIRES.

   “As installing officer, I hereby declare the officers of the ________ District Police-Community Relations Council legally installed and qualified to enter upon the discharge of their assigned duties for the coming year, or until their successors are duly elected and installed.”

constitution and​By-Laws

constitution and
By-Laws