Maryland § 22-207

§ 22-207.

    (a)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Board shall employ one full–time chief inspector and as many other inspectors as the Board determines are required.

        (2)    The Sheriff, a deputy sheriff, or a municipal peace officer in the county may not be appointed or serve as the chief inspector or as an inspector.

    (b)    (1)    When appointed, the chief inspector shall have had investigative experience as:

            (i)    a police officer;

            (ii)    an inspector for a governmental unit; or

            (iii)    an investigator for a private agency.

        (2)    With the approval of the Board, the chief inspector may contract with or hire an independent accounting firm to audit the books and accounts of any license holder.

        (3)    (i)    After appointment, the chief inspector may be discharged only for cause involving dishonesty, incompetence, or immoral conduct, subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.

            (ii)    Before a chief inspector is discharged, the chief inspector shall be given a list of the charges against the chief inspector and an opportunity to reply to the charges in a public hearing in person or by counsel.

    (c)    The Board may establish reasonable compensation for the chief inspector and any other inspector and, when warranted by their respective duties, change their compensation.

    (d)    Inspectors may:

        (1)    serve a summons under § 22–2604 of this title; and

        (2)    issue civil citations as provided in § 22–2605 of this title.

    (e)    This section does not relieve the peace officers specified in § 6–205 of this article from the responsibility to enforce this article in the county.