What is the Independent Investigations Division?
The Independent Investigations Division is a unit within the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. The IID is charged with investigating all police-involved incidents that result in the death of a civilian or injuries that are likely to result in the death of a civilian in Maryland. After its investigation, the IID sends a report containing detailed findings and legal analysis to the State's Attorney of the county with jurisdiction over the incident.The IID's mission is to provide impartial, comprehensive, and timely investigations into all officer-involved fatalities. However, the IID does not decide whether to prosecute an involved officer and does not bring criminal charges. The IID was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 as part of a large package of police accountability and reform bills. These bills included limitations on the use of no-knock warrants, and increased transparency into police discipline records, among many other changes to Maryland law. Back to Top
The Independent Investigations Division is a unit within the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. The IID is charged with investigating all police-involved incidents that result in the death of a civilian or injuries that are likely to result in the death of a civilian in Maryland. After its investigation, the IID sends a report containing detailed findings and legal analysis to the State's Attorney of the county with jurisdiction over the incident.
The IID's mission is to provide impartial, comprehensive, and timely investigations into all officer-involved fatalities. However, the IID does not decide whether to prosecute an involved officer and does not bring criminal charges.
The IID was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 as part of a large package of police accountability and reform bills. These bills included limitations on the use of no-knock warrants, and increased transparency into police discipline records, among many other changes to Maryland law. Back to Top
What makes the IID independent?
The IID is separate and apart from any local law enforcement agency, including the agency involved in the fatal incident being investigated. This is a shift from prior practices, in which local officers would often investigate other officers within their department. The IID's independence allows for an impartial investigation. The IID's goal is to ensure a thorough, transparent investigative process that the public can trust. IID does partner with personnel from the Maryland State Police to conduct its investigations, which allows the IID to use the state crime lab, state crash team, and other state resources, rather than having to rely on local agencies for such support. Back to Top
The IID is separate and apart from any local law enforcement agency, including the agency involved in the fatal incident being investigated. This is a shift from prior practices, in which local officers would often investigate other officers within their department. The IID's independence allows for an impartial investigation. The IID's goal is to ensure a thorough, transparent investigative process that the public can trust.
IID does partner with personnel from the Maryland State Police to conduct its investigations, which allows the IID to use the state crime lab, state crash team, and other state resources, rather than having to rely on local agencies for such support. Back to Top
What types of incidents does the IID investigate?
The IID investigates incidents of civilian deaths, or incidents where a civilian's injuries are likely to result in death, from an interaction with law enforcement. This includes:fatal shootings;fatal use-of-force incidents;deaths of people in police custody; andfatal vehicle pursuits by police.The IID does not investigate the actions of correctional officers, federal officers, or out-of-state officers. Back to Top
The IID investigates incidents of civilian deaths, or incidents where a civilian's injuries are likely to result in death, from an interaction with law enforcement. This includes:
The IID does not investigate the actions of correctional officers, federal officers, or out-of-state officers. Back to Top
How long does an IID investigation take?
There is no set timeframe to complete an investigation. While the IID strives to be transparent and provide timely information when allowed by law, investigations of this magnitude take time to be conducted properly. A typical investigation takes several months, although this timeframe is dependent on factors such as the willingness of witnesses to be interviewed, the examination and testing of physical evidence, and the completion of an autopsy. Back to Top
What happens after an IID investigation is complete?
At the conclusion of its investigation, the IID prepares a report containing detailed investigative findings and an analysis of relevant legal issues. The report is then sent to the State's Attorney of the county that has jurisdiction over the incident. The local prosecutor, not the IID, then makes the decision of whether a case should be prosecuted. Back to Top
Can the IID bring criminal charges?
Currently, the local State's Attorney retains full prosecutorial authority over any crimes related to the incident. The IID does not have authority to bring charges against an officer unless a case is referred to it by the local State's Attorney. The IID will have prosecution authority over incidents occurring on or after October 1, 2023. Back to Top
Is the IID's report made public?
By law, the IID's report must remain confidential until prosecution of any related criminal case is complete. If the local State's Attorney declines to prosecute, the IID will release the report, with appropriate redactions for confidentiality, within 30 days of that determination. If the local State's Attorney decides to prosecute the matter, the IID will release the report, with appropriate redactions for confidentiality, within 30 days of a final judgement of all defendants in the case. Back to Top
By law, the IID's report must remain confidential until prosecution of any related criminal case is complete.
If the local State's Attorney declines to prosecute, the IID will release the report, with appropriate redactions for confidentiality, within 30 days of that determination. If the local State's Attorney decides to prosecute the matter, the IID will release the report, with appropriate redactions for confidentiality, within 30 days of a final judgement of all defendants in the case. Back to Top
What information does the IID release prior to the report?
Because the IID is committed to transparency and recognizes the value of relevant, timely information, it generally releases the name of the decedent and involved officer(s) within 48 hours of the incident, although that period may be extended if an officer is injured, or if there is a specific reason to believe that an officer's safety is at risk.Additionally, the IID will generally release body-worn camera footage and/or dashboard camera footage within 14 days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 14 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members of the decedent to view the video before it is released to the public. Back to Top
Because the IID is committed to transparency and recognizes the value of relevant, timely information, it generally releases the name of the decedent and involved officer(s) within 48 hours of the incident, although that period may be extended if an officer is injured, or if there is a specific reason to believe that an officer's safety is at risk.
Additionally, the IID will generally release body-worn camera footage and/or dashboard camera footage within 14 days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 14 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members of the decedent to view the video before it is released to the public. Back to Top
General inquiries: 410-576-7070, IID@oag.state.md.us
Victim/witness inquiries: Tiffany Bright, Coordinator, 410-576-6377, tbright@oag.state.md.us
Media inquiries: Thomas Lester, Public Information Officer, 410-576-7078, tlester@oag.state.md.us
1-888-373-7888
233733
