By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• The Maryland Appellate Court ruled that law enforcement agencies must disclose officers’ names in use-of-force records under state public records law.
• The decision applies to use-of-force reports and related administrative reviews, finding they are not protected personnel files.
• The ruling stems from a lawsuit over denied public disclosure of records by the Ocean City Police Department.
• The court’s interpretation aligns with Anton’s Law transparency measures enacted by the Maryland General Assembly.
• Lower courts must follow the precedent unless the Maryland Supreme Court overturns the decision.
OCEAN CITY, MD — The Appellate Court of Maryland ruled that law enforcement agencies must provide the names of officers involved in use-of-force incidents when disclosing records to the public.
In decisions issued this month, judges concluded that use-of-force reports and any administrative review records are subject to public disclosure under state law and are not exempt as protected personnel files.
The ruling arose from a legal challenge to the Ocean City Police Department’s denial of a records request seeking officers’ names and related use-of-force documentation.
The court’s interpretation reinforces transparency measures established by Anton’s Law, a 2021 statute aimed at broadening public access to police disciplinary information under the Maryland Public Information Act.
Unless reversed by the Maryland Supreme Court, the decision will serve as binding precedent for lower courts and law enforcement agencies across the state.