LA PLATA, Md. (Jan. 6, 2009)—Charles County Sheriff's Office General Counsel, Phillip Hinkle, was awarded the Maryland Sheriff's Association "President's Award" honoring his outstanding contributions to the Association and the law enforcement community over the course of the last two years.
Mr. Hinkle, a specially-assigned Assistant County Attorney since 2007, works with the Sheriff's Office, the Maryland Sheriffs' Association, and the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association to draft, review, and make recommendations regarding legislation.
Maryland Sheriff's Association outgoing President, Sheriff Jay Fisher, who presented the award, said Mr. Hinkle was instrumental in reviewing approximately 300 pieces of legislation related to law enforcement which were subsequently proposed before the Maryland General Assembly. "Phil spent countless hours with the members of the Association to review the legality of proposed bills, make recommendations and appear before the General Assembly, testifying on behalf of sheriff's agencies throughout the state. He is a skilled attorney with a vast knowledge of laws pertaining to law enforcement, specifically in areas concerning the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights (LEOBR), domestic violence, and the 4th Amendment."
Charles County Sheriff Rex W. Coffey said Mr. Hinkle spearheaded important research in legislative matters that ultimately enhanced existing laws. For example, Hinkle was instrumental in getting a bill sponsored and passed in the 2009 legislative session that gave police the authority to use reasonable measures to enforce the child custody provision of an interim and temporary protective order. The provision was only enforceable in final protective orders prior to the new legislation which went into effect Oct. 1, 2009.
Mr. Hinkle is a committee member of the Maryland Chiefs of Police and Maryland Sheriff's Joint Legislative Committee. In addition, he is an instructor for the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions regarding LEOBR and Civil Liability. He works with the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) and the Family Violence Council on domestic violence legislation and related issues.
Prior to joining the County Attorney's Office, Hinkle served 26 years with the Maryland State Police, retiring at the rank of Captain. During his tenure with MSP, Hinkle attended night school and received a bachelor's degree from Towson State University and a law degree from the University of Baltimore, School Of Law.
Source: Charles County Sheriff's Office