Carroll County's Police Accountability Board reviewed changes to the state Police Accountability Act that narrow timeframes for investigating and adjudicating complaints against officers, officials at the meeting said. The changes take effect Oct. 1, board members said.

Under the update described at the PAB meeting, departments will have 334 days after receiving a complaint to complete an investigation and provide results to the ACC. The ACC then will have 30 days after receiving a department investigation to issue findings or request additional information. The entire adjudicative process must conclude within 395 days, officials said; if it exceeds that limit the ACC could lose jurisdiction over a matter.

Why it matters: PAB members and ACC representatives said the new deadlines increase the importance of retaining video evidence and ensuring departments turn over records promptly. Missing or erased footage, or delays in getting material from other agencies, could put cases at risk of exceeding statutory time limits.

At the meeting a PAB member summarized the change: "As of October 1 ... the new law takes effect, and it requires once you receive a complaint, you have 334 days to investigate it and provide the results of that investigation to the ACC," the member said. The member added the ACC must finish adjudication within 395 days.

Ending: PAB members asked staff to include the new deadlines in the board's year-end report to the county commissioners and to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure evidence is preserved and investigatory timelines are met.