Statewide efforts to reform policing will be the focus of a three-day marathon of hearings that begins Tuesday before the state Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee. The hearings will consider issues related to body cameras, police discipline, and use-of-force policies.

The timing of the hearings — more than three months before the annual 90-day General Assembly session begins — is unusual, but Sen. Will Smith, chair of the committee, said this is an unusual time.

“Given the events nationally and here in Maryland, from Freddie Gray to the present, these issues are something that we can’t afford to wait until session to grapple with,” Smith said. “We’re having early hearings so that we can take immediate action once the session reconvenes in January.”

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