Md. Code, Local Government § 21–806

(a) In this section, “Department” means the Ocean Pines Police

Department.

(b) There is an Ocean Pines Police Department.

(c) (1) The Department is:

(i) established to provide protection for the Ocean Pines

community in Worcester County; and

(ii) responsible for enforcing the applicable laws, ordinances,

and regulations of the State and Worcester County.

(2) (i) The Department is not an agency of Worcester County.

(ii) The officers, employees, and agents of the Department are

not officers, employees, or agents of Worcester County.

(3) Worcester County is not responsible for the acts or omissions of

the Department or the officers, employees, or agents of the Department.

(d) (1) There is a Chief of Police of the Department.

(2) (i) The Chief of Police shall be appointed by the General

Manager of the Ocean Pines Association.

(ii) The Chief of Police shall be:

1. experienced in the command of uniformed patrols

and the detection and investigation of crime; and

2. selected solely on the basis of qualifications for the

position.

(3) (i) The Chief of Police shall be responsible directly to the

General Manager.

(ii) All orders to the Department from the General Manager

shall be directed through the Chief of Police or the designee of the Chief of Police.

(4) (i) The Chief of Police shall command and administer the

Department.

(ii) The duties of the Chief of Police include:

1. being responsible for the efficiency and good conduct

of the Department;

2. overseeing the general operation of the Department;

3. hiring employees and appointing officers, subject to

the approval of the General Manager; and

4. disciplining employees and officers.

(5) The Chief of Police shall serve at the pleasure of the General

Manager and may be removed by the General Manager.

(e) (1) A member of the Department has all the powers granted to a

peace officer and a police officer of the State.

(2) The powers granted under paragraph (1) of this subsection may

be exercised only on property in the Ocean Pines community and not on any other

property, unless a member of the Department is:

(i) acting under an agreement with another law enforcement

agency;

(ii) engaged in fresh pursuit of a suspected offender;

(iii) specially requested or allowed to exercise the powers in a

political subdivision by the chief executive officer or chief police officer of the political

subdivision; or

(iv) ordered to exercise the powers by the Governor.

(3) Members of the Department have concurrent jurisdiction in the

performance of their duties with the law enforcement agencies of the State and

Worcester County.

(4) This section does not:

(i) relieve the State or Worcester County from a duty to

provide police, fire, and other public safety service and protection; or

(ii) affect the jurisdiction of other police, fire, and public safety

agencies.

(f) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Maryland Police

Training and Standards Commission shall adopt standards, qualifications, and

prerequisites of character, training, education, human and public relations, and

experience for the Department, including standards for the performance of the duties

of the Department.

(2) The Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission may

delegate to the Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association, Incorporated, the

authority to adopt standards, qualifications, and prerequisites under paragraph (1)

of this subsection.

(g) (1) The Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association,

Incorporated, shall adopt rules governing the operation and conduct of the

Department, including its police officers.

(2) The rules of the Board of Directors concerning police officers shall

supplement any rules or regulations of the Maryland Police Training and Standards

Commission.

(3) Disobedience to the lawful commands, rules, or regulations of the

Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission or the Board of Directors shall

be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal.

(h) (1) Funding for the Department shall come from revenue derived

from assessments imposed on real property located in the Ocean Pines community

and other available sources.

(2) The Department or the Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines

Association, Incorporated, acting as administrator of the Ocean Pines community,

may apply for, accept, and spend any gift or grant for the benefit or use of the

Department from the federal government, any State unit, any foundation, or any

other person.