2015 MD HB 338 (Carter) and SB 173 (Gladden) propose to increase required SWAT reporting. In FY 2014, SWAT teams deployed 1,689 times, up 2.4% from the prior fiscal year. At present, counties/municipal corporations are required to report deployment details in very broad categories. Current requirements:
- The number of times the SWAT Team was “activated and deployed;”
- The location where the SWAT Team was deployed (e.g., zip code);
- The legal authority for each activation and deployment (i.e., Arrest Warrant, Search Warrant, Barricade, Exigent Circumstances, or Other);
- The reason for each activation and deployment (i.e., Part I Crime, Part II Crime, Emergency Petition, Suicidal, or Other); and
- The result of each activation and deployment, including (1) the number of arrests made, if any; (2) whether property was seized; (3) whether a forcible entry was made; (4) whether a weapon was discharged by a SWAT team member; and (5) whether a person or domestic animal was injured or killed by a team member.
This bill proposes to change requirements to:
- The number of times the SWAT team was activated and deployed by the agency in the previous six months;
- The name of the county and/or municipality and zip code of the location where the team was deployed for each activation;
- The reason for each activation and deployment, as specified;
- The legal authority, including type of warrant, if any, for each activation and deployment; and
- The result of each activation and deployment, including (1) the age, gender, and race of any individual encountered; (2) the number of arrests made, if any, and for what charges; (3) a list of any controlled substances, weapons, contraband, or evidence of crime found; (4) whether the SWAT team was deployed to the correct address; (5) whether the SWAT team announced its presence and requested entry; (6) whether a forcible entry was made and in what manner; (7) whether a weapon was discharged by a SWAT team member; (8) whether a civilian used or threatened to use a weapon against a law enforcement officer; and (9) whether a person or domestic animal was injured or killed by a SWAT team member.
In the House - hearing 3/12/15
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In the Senate - hearing 2/12/15
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