Public Safety Accountability Unit

Purpose

The Public Safety Accountability Unit (PSAU) is an independent investigative body reporting to the University’s Board of Trustees through the University Chief Audit Officer. The PSAU plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity and professionalism of Johns Hopkins Public Safety and the Johns Hopkins Police Department (JHPD).  Its primary purpose is to ensure accountability and integrity within the JHPD. The PSAU is dedicated to conducting thorough and impartial investigations and assessments of incidents involving JHPD and Public Safety Officers’ use of force as well as allegations of misconduct. By conducting independent investigations and ensuring accountability, the PSAU will help foster a safe and trustworthy environment for the Johns Hopkins community.

Staffing and Oversight

The PSAU will be overseen by Executive Director Daniel Harrington and will be staffed by qualified and experienced investigators who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their roles to ensure that all investigations are conducted with the highest level of professionalism and thoroughness.

Core Principles

1. Member Accountability: Holding JHPD and Public Safety members accountable through fair and consistent investigatory and disciplinary processes.
2. Transparency: Maintaining transparent systems for receiving, classifying, investigating, and adjudicating complaints to ensure public confidence in the JHPD.
3. Trust and Respect: Ensuring respectful and fair treatment of all individuals to build trust between the police and the community.

Functions

1. Investigative Authority:
   • The PSAU is responsible for investigating all complaints of misconduct reported by the public related to JHPD and Public Safety members. This includes anonymous complaints.
   • It assesses use-of-force incidents to determine if they align with JHPD and Public Safety policies and training.
2. Use of Force Review:
   • PSAU members, when available, respond to scenes of use-of-force incidents to conduct immediate reviews.
   • For uses-of-force incidents involving death or serious injury, the PSAU coordinates with the Independent Investigations Division (IID) and provides support without interfering with IID’s investigation.
3. Policy Enforcement:
   • The PSAU enforces JHPD directives and ensures compliance with the Maryland Police Accountability Act and other relevant laws.
   • It recommends disciplinary actions and additional training based on investigation outcomes.

The PSAU operates under the University and Health System’s Chief Audit Officer, leveraging that position’s commitment to independence, integrity and accountability to ensure independent and appropriate investigations and assessments of JHPD incidents involving the use of force and allegations of misconduct. 

Forms

Use these forms if you wish to file a complaint against a JHPD member or check on the status of an existing complaint. After filling out the form please send it as an attachment to the PSAU email listed below. Information about JHPD public records requests can be found here.

Johns Hopkins University Police Department (JHPD) Public Complaint Review Process 

The Johns Hopkins University Police Department (JHPD) is committed to facilitating a transparent, fair, and efficient procedure for addressing all complaints received against members of the JHPD to instill and uphold public confidence in the integrity of the department and its employees.  

Following the enactment of the Community Safety and Strengthening Act (CSSA), the JHPD, in collaboration with experts in the progressive policing reform and with input from students, faculty, staff, and neighboring communities, has established and publicly shared comprehensive policies and procedures.  

The JHPD’s complaint review process, outlined below, was developed in accordance with the Maryland Police Accountability Act. This process is for allegations of misconduct involving a member of the public and a JHPD officer. JHPD also will make available upon request a victim rights advocate to support a complainant and keep them informed through the process. 

The JHPD complaint process is as follows: 

Step 1. Complaint is Received. You may file a complaint by email, psau@jh.edu, phone, at 443-927-3177, or online. You may also request a complaint form from any JHPD member. Officers carry complaint forms with them. Complaints can also be made directly with the Baltimore City Police Accountability Board, the Johns Hopkins University Police Accountability Board, or the Public Safety Accountability Unit (PSAU). 

Step 2. Investigation into Complaint is Opened. The University’s Public Safety Accountability Unit (PSAU) is responsible for reviewing and investigating complaints. When applicable, the PSAU coordinates with other investigative entities, such as the University’s Office of Institutional Equity. 

Within one day of receiving  the complaint, the PSAU will contact you to confirm receipt of your complaint and provide the name and contact information for the person assigned to investigate the complaint. Upon receiving the complaint, the PSAU has 45 days to complete the investigation, unless the time period is extended due to special circumstances.  

Starting one business day after the PSAU has confirmed receipt, you may check the status of your complaint by visiting this website or contacting the PSAU: psau@jh.edu.  

Step 3. Investigation is Reviewed. Upon completion of the investigation, PSAU forwards its findings and recommendations to the JHPD Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP) for review before sharing it with the Baltimore City Administrative Charging Committee (ACC). During the ACC review period, and until the complaint is resolved, the PSAU will provide you with a monthly status update regarding your complaint. 

Step 4. ACC Determines Charges and Makes Disciplinary Recommendation. The Baltimore City ACC is responsible for reviewing the findings of a complaint and determining whether to administratively charge the officer. If charges are brought, the ACC recommends disciplinary action to the JHPD Chief of Police. The ACC has 30 days to conduct its review and reach a decision. The overall process, from investigation to a final decision, must be completed within a year and a day of the receipt of the complaint by PSAU, or the officer cannot be charged. 

Step 5. JHPD Chief of Police Determines and Implements Disciplinary Action, As Needed. If the ACC recommends charges, the JHPD Chief of Police offers the charged officer disciplinary action equal to or greater than that recommended by ACC within 15 days of the ACC decision. If the officer accepts, then the discipline is effectuated by the JHPD Chief of Police. 

If the officer rejects the disciplinary offer, a three-member trial board, including a civilian representative who does not serve on the ACC but is appointed by the Baltimore City Police Accountability Board, convenes and renders a decision. A trial board decision is final unless appealed by the officer. The trial board has 45 days from the conclusion of the hearing to issue a written decision. 

Officers have 30 days from the written decision of the trial board to appeal the decision of the trial board to the Baltimore City Circuit Court.  

Contact Information

Primary Address: psau@jh.edu