Council debates giving police chief authority to approve outside use of city firing range; action postponed

Annapolis aldermen on May 7 debated CA0626, an ordinance to allow the police chief — alongside the mayor — to approve outside use of the Annapolis Police Department firing range. After extensive discussion about safety, delegation and documentation, council members asked the police chief to attend the next meeting and postponed final action.

Deputy Chief Stan Brford told the council the proposed change would let the police chief, who oversees day-to-day operations and safety, approve outside users instead of routing every request through the mayor’s office. "The chief of police would have more knowledge," Brford said, explaining that the department manages training, LEOSA yearly qualifications for retired officers, crime-scene firearms testing and occasional requests from outside agencies.

Acting Captain Hill O'Hurle described current safeguards: range instructors must be present for any use, outside users undergo background checks and waivers are required. He said outside agencies such as Maryland Capital Police and federal partners sometimes ask to use the range and that the change would streamline approvals while keeping safety oversight in the department.

Aldermen questioned whether the ordinance should enable the chief to delegate by using phrasing such as "chief or their designate" or whether the council should name a specific title (for example, deputy chief) to preserve accountability. One member said delegation should be limited to individuals with range experience; another argued that keeping final authority at the chief level preserves political accountability if something goes wrong.

Legal staff and members agreed the current code reads as authorizing only the mayor or police chief, so the council can amend language to clarify whether and how delegation occurs. Council members asked staff to draft clearer language and invited the chief to weigh in on what level of delegation, if any, is appropriate.

After discussion, a motion to postpone the ordinance until the chief could attend and provide input passed. Council members asked for a draft amendment that addresses delegation, documentation of approvals and the necessary safety qualifications for any designate.