{{Short description|Law enforcement agency of Howard County, Maryland}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox law enforcement agency | agencyname = Howard County Police Department | nativename = | nativenamea = | nativenamer = | commonname = | abbreviation = HCPD | fictional = | patch = | patchcaption = | logo = Seal of Howard County, Maryland.png | logocaption = Seal of Howard County, Maryland | badge = | badgecaption = | flag = Flag of Howard County, MD.svg{{!}}border | flagcaption = Flag of Howard County, Maryland | imagesize = | motto = {{lang|la|Pro bono publico}} | mottotranslated = For public good<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.visithowardcounty.com/listings/howard-county-police-department-museum/936/ | title=Howard County Police Department Museum &#124; Marriottsville, MD 21104 }}</ref> | mission = | formedyear = {{start date and age|1952}} | preceding1 = | dissolved = | superseding = | employees = | volunteers = | budget = FY15 General Fund Budget: <br />$102,451,815 <ref>http://www.howardcountymd.gov/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=6442478689&libID=6442478682 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> | nongovernment = | country = United States | countryabbr = U.S. | national = | federal = | international = | divtype = State | divname = Maryland | divdab = | subdivtype = County | subdivname = Howard County | map = Map of Maryland highlighting Howard County.svg | mapcaption = | sizearea = {{convert|254|sqmi|km2}} | sizepopulation = 334,529 (2021) | legaljuris = | governingbody = | governingbodyscnd = | constitution1 = | police = Yes | local = Yes | military = | provost = | gendarmerie = | religious = | speciality = | secret = | overviewtype = | overviewbody = | headquarters = George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland, 21043<br />{{Coord|39.275421|-76.805920|type:landmark_region:US-MD|display=inline,title}} | sworntype = | sworn = 509 <ref>{{cite web | url=https://issuu.com/howardcountypd/docs/ar226.2| title=HCPD Annual Report 2022 by HowardCountyPD - Issuu| date=2 June 2023}}</ref> | unsworntype = Civilian | unsworn = 241 | multinational = | electeetype = | minister1name = | minister1pfo = | chief1name = Gregory Der | chief1position = Chief Of Police | parentagency = | child1agency = | unittype = | unitname = | officetype = | officename = | provideragency = | uniformedas = | stationtype = District | stations = 2 | airbases = | lockuptype = | lockups = | vehicle1type = | vehicles1 = | boat1type = | boats1 = | aircraft1type = | aircraft1 = | animal1type = K9 team | animals1 = 9 | animal2type = | animals2 = | person1name = | person1reason = | person1type = | programme1 = | activity1name = | activitytype = | anniversary1 = | award1 = | website = {{URL|https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Police| Howard County Police Department}} | footnotes = | reference = }} The '''Howard County Police Department''' ('''HCPD''') is the primary law enforcement agency of Howard County, Maryland.<ref>[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24027.html Howard County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606163850/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24027.html |date=2011-06-06 }}</ref>

==History== From the founding of Howard County until 1894, the county's law enforcement responsibilities were handled by the Howard County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). In 1894, the Howard County Commissioners were granted the power to appoint local police officers in designated jurisdictions inside the county to aid in law enforcement duties. In 1904, the second district police force was formed with Julius Wosch as the sole officer.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jim Clark Soldier Farmer Legislator|page=25|author=James A. Clark Jr.}}</ref> Wosch was paid using a fee system of 15 cents for any paper served, and 25 cents for a dog tax with a penalty of pet destruction for non-payment. Wosch doubled the staff in 1935 paying Edgar Russel Moxley from his own earnings as an assistant.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Times|date=31 March 1965|title=From One Man Staff to Efficient Force}}</ref> In 1938, the Maryland State Police expanded police services with a station on the site of the historic Spurrier's Tavern in Waterloo.<ref>{{cite book|title=Howard's Roads to the Past|author=Barbra Feaga|page=67}}</ref>

The Howard County Police Department (HCPD) in its current form was founded in 1952, by Chapter 496 of the Acts of 1894, in sections 17.200 through 17.206 of the Howard County code.<ref>{{cite web|author=State of Maryland|author-link=Maryland|url=http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/how/html/functions/howpublicsafety.html#police|title=Police Department|work=Howard County, Maryland - Government, Executive Branch, Public Safety|publisher=Maryland State Archives|access-date=January 27, 2014}}</ref>

After the founding of the HCPD, Howard County Commissioner Norman E. Moxley appointed his brother Edgar Russell Moxley chief, with four officers and a population of 20,000. A single 1952 ford was purchased for patrols.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|title=Howard Police Chief Charged|date=13 May 1956}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|title=Edgar R. Moxley, 98, Howard County Police Department's first chief|date=16 Feb 2005}}</ref> Moxley was followed by Fred L Ford, who served until December 1962.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|title=Howard unit picks Miller|date=5 December 1962}}</ref> By 1963, Howard County had 21 police staff employed, serving 44,000 (2095 to one ratio). The County placed a goal of 1370 to one ratio by 1975.<ref>{{cite web|title=Howard County Facilities|url=http://archives.ubalt.edu/gbc/pdf/4-18.pdf|access-date=7 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002427/http://archives.ubalt.edu/gbc/pdf/4-18.pdf|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jack L. Larrimore served as police chief from 1963 to 1969. Counter-insurrection training was added in 1965, and the Howard County Interracial Commission recommended hiring of African American officers to reduce countywide racial tensions in 1967.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=12 November 1965|title=Maryland County Prepares for Revolution, or Anything.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|title=50 Years Ago|date=5 August 1992|author=Diane Mullaly}}</ref> Larrimore ran for County Executive in 1969, against Omar J. Jones who did not renew his commission.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|title=Jack L. Larrimore, 73, Howard County Police Chief|date=21 April 1997}}</ref> In 1971, the force increased to 68 with six day weeks implemented to handle crime sprees in the Columbia development.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Rural Howard County Goes on a Crime Alert|date=11 December 1971}}</ref>

Garland R Walters served in 1972, a year where recorded crime rates went up 50% more per year as the Rouse Company development Columbia expanded.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Howard County Boom Malignant or Benign?|date=19 September 1972|author=Tom Huth}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=County Man Shackled, Jailed in $5 Ticket Case: Police in Counties Shackle, Jail Man in $5 Ticket Case|date=14 January 1972}}</ref> Robert Matthew was appointed by executive Edward L. Cochran for a period from 1974 to 1978. Paul H. Rappaport served from 1979 to 1987.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Bobo to Replace Police Chief in Howard County|date=25 Feb 1987|author=Lisa Leff}}</ref> James N. Robey was appointed Chief of the 295 officer force by Charles I. Ecker replacing Frederick W. Chaney in 1991. He retired in 1998 to run for County Executive.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|title=Ecker Appoints County Police Chief|date=26 February 1991}}</ref> Matthews was convicted for raiding his mother's estate and sentenced to 1 year in jail in 2001.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-police chief looted mother's estate|author=Jennifer Vick|date=13 June 2002|newspaper=The Columbia Flyer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406495698|title=archives {{!}} baltimoresun.com - Former Howard police chief charged with theft, perjury|website=pqasb.pqarchiver.com|access-date=2017-09-27|id={{ProQuest|406495698}} }}</ref> Wayne Livesay retired in 2006 to run for County Council.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|date=20 May 2006|title=Howard Co. chief of police to retire: Livesay is running for County Council}}</ref> Bill McMahon was appointed to Chief by County Executive Ken Ulman, retiring in 2014 at the end of Ulman's term and replaced by 30-year veteran Gary Gardner in July 2014.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|title=Gardner set to take helm of Howard police department|date=29 June 2014}}</ref> Lisa Myers was appointed Chief by County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball on February 13, 2019. She was the county's first African-American and female Police Chief. After Chief Myers retired in December 2021, County Executive Ball named Gregory Der as the next Chief of Police.

===Authority===

All HCPD officers are fully certified, sworn law enforcement officials. The authority originates with an act of legislation performed by the Maryland General Assembly. The agency itself is also nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, which gives accreditations to agencies who meet their national standards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.co.ho.md.us/Police/PD_Recruiting.htm |title=Howard County Police Department: Recruiting<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2008-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412082109/http://www.co.ho.md.us/Police/PD_Recruiting.htm |archive-date=2008-04-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Organization== The current chief of police is Greg Der (retired, new HCPD Chief soon to be known).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/about-us#chief-of-police |title=Chief of Police |website=howardcountymd.gov |access-date=2023-05-12}}</ref>

The HCPD divides the county into two districts, northern and southern. The agency has the following sections:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police |title=Police |website=howardcountymd.gov |access-date=2023-05-12}}</ref> *Patrol *Community Outreach Sections (Community Liaison, Crisis Intervention, C.O.P.S. Victim Assistance) *Youth Division *Tactical section *K9 Section *Auxiliary and Mount Patrol volunteers *Traffic Management *Forensic Science Division *Violent Crimes Division *Vice and Narcotics Division *Special Investigation Division *Emergency Services Unit *9-1-1 Communications Division *Animal Control

==Rank structure== The Howard County Police Department operates as a military organization using these sworn personnel ranks: {| border="1" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="5" style="border-collapse:collapse;" class="wikitable" !Title !Insignia |- |Chief of Police |center|frameless|50px |- |Deputy Chief |center|27px |- |Captain |center|25px |- |Lieutenant |center|10px |- |Sergeant |center|35px |- |Corporal |center|35px |- |Police First Class |center|35px |- |Police Officer | |}

== See also == {{Portal|Maryland}} * List of law enforcement agencies in Maryland {{Clear}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.howardcountymd.gov/police Official website] *{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818131249/http://www.howardcountymd.gov/departments.aspx?ID=6442451164 |date=August 18, 2011 |title=Howard County Police Department }} *{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817235548/http://www.co.ho.md.us/Police/index.html |date=August 17, 2000 |title=Howard County Police Department }} {{Howard County, Maryland topics}} {{LawEnMD}}

Police Department Category:County police departments of Maryland