Public Safety - Law Enforcement Officers - Restrictions

SB 854 restricts federal law enforcement officers in Maryland to exercising powers only when acting in accordance with state law, requiring coordination with local agencies during joint operations or emergencies. It prohibits all law enforcement officers from engaging in racial profiling - defined as relying on race, ethnicity, or national origin in enforcement actions - while allowing such reliance only when describing a specific suspect in an active investigation. The bill mandates law enforcement agencies to develop and implement written racial profiling policies by a specified date and prohibits retaliation against officers who report such profiling. Violations allow for civil lawsuits and provide legal protections for whistleblowers reporting racial profiling incidents.