Montgomery County narrow bill would add detailed checks for applicants who worked for DHS after Jan. 21, 2025

Councilmember Glass introduced Bill 18-26 as a narrowly drawn measure to "provide an additional detailed review" of applicants for Montgomery County Police who previously worked for the Department of Homeland Security on or after Jan. 21, 2025. Glass said the requirement is intended to bolster community trust while preserving rigorous current hiring standards.

Acting Chief Darren Frank described MCPD's existing vetting process and cautioned that the bill would add steps that could slow hiring. "We have a background investigation. It's a 60-page questionnaire ... followed by a polygraph," Frank said, noting that the department screens applicants through multiple stages and then sends recruits to a 30-week academy and extensive field training. Frank warned that some federal agencies may not supply records requested under FOIA, and "if another agency doesn't verify it, those folks are eliminated," which could penalize applicants who had no misconduct.

Counsel for the committee explained the bill's operational mechanics: the county would verify assignment and deployment locations, any participation in interior deportation/removal operations after 01/21/2025, and complaints or use-of-force involvement. The bill excludes operations at ports of entry and coast guard/border-specific functions, the counsel said, and would apply only prior to extending a final (not conditional) offer of employment.

Supporters framed the bill as targeted and legally defensible; skeptics raised fairness concerns for whistleblowers and challenged reliance on external agencies for verification. Chief Frank and assistant chiefs said MCPD could add questionnaire items or other internal steps, but that reliance on external agency records would sometimes impede hiring timelines. The committee agreed to continue detailed discussion and technical review before any vote.