ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

PUBLIC SAFETY

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

Anne Arundel County Fire Department emblem, 8495 Veterans Highway, Millersville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

DEPARTMENT OF DETENTION FACILITIES

Appointed by the County Executive, the Superintendent, oversees the Department (County Charter, secs. 536(c), 536(d)).

Jennifer Road Detention Center, Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities, 131 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Anne Arundel County Fire Department, 8495 Veterans Highway, Millersville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Under the Fire Department are the Office of Emergency Management, the Logistics Bureau, and the Operations Bureau. In addition, the Department is aided by the Fire Advisory Board.

Herald Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, Crownsville, Maryland, August 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

FIRE ADVISORY BOARD
Established in 1985, the Fire Advisory Board advises the County Executive and the Fire Chief, as well as other County officials and employees, on matters related to administration of fire and emergency services.

Originally the Board was made up of five members. In November 1995, membership was expanded to nine, and a four-year term limit was set (County Charter, sec. 546). Today, six members must be firefighters, with three appointed by the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, and one by the County Fire Department. The County Executive appoints three members who are citizens within separate fire battalion districts, and one member is appointed by the County’s battalion and fire chiefs from among their ranks. (County Code, secs. 12-1-401 through 12-1-403).

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Under the Fire Department, the Office of Emergency Management coordinates federal, State, local and private resources and facilities to respond to emergencies. The Office also develops comprehensive emergency management programs to address potential emergencies, communicates disaster preparation news and available resources to the community, and establishes systems to increase response and recovery efficiency. Training programs to better prepare residents to handle emergency situations are offered through the Office.

Appointed by the Governor on recommendation of the County Executive, the Director oversees the Office (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 14-109 through 14-113; County Charter, sec. 522).

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Prior to formation of the Police Department, law enforcement duties in the County were conducted by the Sheriff's Office, and individual police officers in certain parts of the County.

Arundel County Police Department, 8495 Veterans Highway, Millersville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Police Districts. With its headquarters at Ferndale, the Department originally maintained substations at Eastport, Galesville, and Pasadena. At another point, the County had two large districts comprised of the headquarters at Ferndale and a substation at Edgewater. The Ferndale District consisted of ten posts with a one-man patrol car for each. It included the densely-populated area adjacent to south Baltimore. The Edgewater District had seven posts and seven patrol cars for the more sparsely-populated south County area with one post covering an area between Bowie and Fort Meade.

By 1965, major revisions in the Police Department were underway, beginning with the transfer of police headquarters from Ferndale to Millersville along Route 3. Under the new plan, the area of individual posts was reduced considerably. Three districts - Northern (Ferndale), Central (Millersville), and Southern (Edgewater) - were created with a total of 24 posts and 33 patrol cars. The boundary lines between Northern and Central District ran from Dorsey Road eastward to Route 3 and then along Mountain Road. The line between the Central and Southern Districts ran from Sherwood Forest southwest to Route 450 and along Route 450 to the County line.

All specialized services were to operate from headquarters to include the Detective Bureau, Traffic Division, Juvenile Bureau, K-9 Corps and Central Records Bureau. Personnel in these sections received their assignments at headquarters then deployed to Ferndale and Edgewater. Reports from the two substations were to be transmitted to headquarters each morning and acted on there. In all, the authorized force totaled 187 policemen.

Today, the Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in Anne Arundel County. The Department enforces laws and ordinances related to animal control; crime prevention and response; home and business security; missing persons; and noise control. Duties also relate to traffic management, parked or abandoned vehicles; appointment of school-crossing guards, and disposition of unclaimed property (County Charter, secs. 543, 544; County Code, secs. 12-2-101 through 12-3-303).

The Department is organized under two divisions: Administration, and Operations. Directly under the Chief of Police are the Media Relations Office, and the Office of Professional Standards. The Department is aided by the Citizens Advisory Council.

CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL
Initiated by the Police Chief in 2013, the Citizens Advisory Council advises and assists the Chief of Police.

Meeting monthly, the Council consists of fifteen to twenty members from the community.

OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
The Office of Professional Standards was created in 2013.

Under the Office are three units: Accreditation, Internal Affairs, and Staff Inspections.

ADMINISTRATION

Within the Police Department, Administration oversees two Bureaus: Administration, and Operations and Investigations. It also directs the Fiscal Management Section.

FISCAL MANAGEMENT SECTION
The Fiscal Management Section is responsible for annual budget development and administration; supervision of internal expenditures and related controls; and liaison with County government fiscal officers. It coordinates requisitions and requests for purchase of equipment and supplies with the Purchasing Division of the County Department of Central Services. Moreover, it develops and financially tracks grant-related programs secured by the Police Department.

BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION

SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
To other divisions and bureaus, the Support Services Division provides record and evidence management and investigative assistance . It also conducts fingerprinting and identification processing, and oversees enforcement of animal control ordinances.

The Division oversees the Police Training Academy, and three sections: Animal Control, Personnel, and Property Management.

POLICE TRAINING ACADEMY
Established in January 1976, the Police Training Academy provides training for qualified applicants who want to become police officers in the Police Department. Recruit classes last six months, and are designed to ensure recruits meet standards set by the Department of State Police and the Correctional Training Commission. Following initial training, all County officers must maintain ongoing education training, which the Academy provides.

The Academy offers an annual Citizen’s Police Academy course, which runs for thirteen weeks. The course gives residents a basic understanding of criminal law, police procedure, forensic evidence, self-defense, and other techniques that allow citizens to better protect themselves and their communities.

ANIMAL CONTROL SECTION
Under the Support Services Division, the Animal Control Section enforces laws and ordinances that concern domestic and wild animals. The Section impounds stray and dangerous animals, issues pet licenses, provides for pet adoptions and redemptions, licenses commercial pet business establishments, and monitors wildlife trapping (County Code, secs. 12-4-101 through 12-4-1001).

The Section is aided by the Animal Control Commission, and the Animal Welfare Council.

ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION
Hearing complaints and appeals related to animals and related ordinances and codes, the Animal Control Commission then makes recommendations to the Chief of Police based on its findings.

The Commission is composed of seven voting members. Appointed by the County Executive from County Council recommendations, five members are citizens who serve two-year terms, while the Chief of Police, and the County Health Officer serve ex officio. In addition, the County Executive appoints a nonvoting secretary (County Code, secs. 12-4-201 through 12-4-206).

ANIMAL WELFARE COUNCIL
The Animal Welfare Council was established in 2009 to educate and promote the humane treatment of animals. In addition, the Council reviews County laws and regulations on the care and treatment of animals to ensure their humane treatment.

Appointed by the County Executive, the Council consists of up to sixteen members (Executive Order no. 35, 2009).

PERSONNEL SECTION
Within the Police Department, the Personnel Section is responsible for all matters concerning personnel. The Section coordinates its work with the County Office of Personnel.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SECTION
The Property Management Section manages and controls property owned or acquired by the Police Department, including found, recovered and evidentiary property. The Section oversees the Quartermaster.

TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION
The Technical Services Division oversees four sections: Central Records, Communications, Fleet Coordination, and Technology.

CENTRAL RECORDS SECTION
The Central Records Section maintains 24-hour operational access to central records information, criminal data entry, and uniform crime reporting.

COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
The Communications Section receives and screens emergency and routine telephone requests from the public, and dispatches police officers in response to calls for service. The Section also oversees the Telephone Reporting Unit.

FLEET COORDINATION SECTION
The Fleet Coordinator manages the Police Department’s motor vehicle fleet.

TECHNOLOGY SECTION
The Technology Section maintains the Police Department’s technology hardware, software and networking capabilities. It also serves as liaison to the County Office of Information Technology.

OPERATIONS

BUREAU OF OPERATIONS & INVESTIGATIONS

Criminal investigations for the County are conducted by the Bureau, which provides tactical support to patrol units. The Bureau also collaborates with federal and State agencies conducting operations within the County.

The Bureau is composed of two divisions: Criminal Investigations, and Special Operations.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
The Criminal Investigations Division conducts investigations for the County Police, as well as the Annapolis City Police. The Division performs polygraph tests, and interviews witnesses. The Division also provides protective services to victims and witnesses as necessary.

The Division is composed of the Major Crimes Section, and the Victim and Witness Program.

CRIME LABORATORY SECTION
The Crime Laboratory Section analyzes evidence, including suspected controlled dangerous substances and biological evidence, prepares scientific reports, and renders expert testimony in court on evidentiary matters. Forensic research and examination for the Police Department are conducted by this section.

EVIDENCE COLLECTION & IDENTIFICATION SECTION
The Evidence Collection and Identification Section is responsible for crime scene evidence collection, photography, and fingerprint lifting and analysis. To support line operations, the Section provides 24-hour-a-day evidence collection services.

HOMELAND SECURITY & INTELLIGENCE UNIT
The Homeland Security and Intelligence Unit maintains and administers all matters pertaining to departmental intelligence. It serves as liaison to State, regional, and federal intelligence entities.

MAJOR CRIMES SECTION
The Major Crime Section is responsible for follow-up investigations of homicides, kidnappings, rape, felony sex offenses, and the abuse of children and vulnerable adults. The Section also investigates cases involving the use of deadly force by law enforcement, in-custody deaths, violations committed by registered sexual offenders, and critical missing persons.

ORGANIZED & ECONOMIC CRIMES SECTION
The Organized and Economic Crimes Section investigates commercial robberies; organized auto theft-related crime; major financial crimes; and crimes and regulatory violations related to pawn, second-hand, and precious metal dealers. The Section undertakes forensic examination of digital evidence used in the commission of a crime, and also provides polygraph services.

SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT SECTION
Originally, the Special Enforcement Section began as a division and later reformed as a section under the Criminal Investigations Division.

The Section enforces laws related to narcotics and other vices, such as prostitution and gambling. Maintaining teams and units specifically trained in vice response, the Section coordinates its efforts with other departmental, State and federal agencies.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION
Under the Bureau of Operations and Investigations, the Special Operations Division provides tactical support for extraordinary police situations, such as those involving hostages, barricades, or terrorists. The Division also directs search and rescue operations, assists patrol and narcotics operations, and provides dignitary protection.

Under the Division are two sections: Special Operations, and Traffic Safety.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS SECTION
The Aviation and K-9 units, and the Quick Response Team are overseen by the Special Operations Section.
AVIATION UNIT
The Aviation Unit provides air support for operations, including surveillance, traffic enforcement, and pursuit of fleeing offenders. The Unit also provides aerial support for other county, State and federal agencies.

K-9 UNIT
The K-9 Unit gives line support to components within the Police Departmnet with highly mobile, specially trained police dogs. It also provides canine support for searches involving high-risk buildings and areas, narcotics and explosives, and missing persons.

QUICK RESPONSE TEAM
The Quick Response Team provides operational and tactical support to the Bureau of Patrol. Its major responsibilities involve handling hostage and barricade situations, and high-risk felony arrests; entering and stabilizing raid locations; conducting woodland suspect searches; and responding to WMD/Hazmat (weapons of mass destruction & hazardous materials) and maritime incidents.

TRAFFIC SAFETY SECTION
The Traffic Safety Section coordinates and oversees traffic-related services, and investigates motor vehicle fatalities.

BUREAU OF PATROL

The Bureau provides direct police services through patrol, district-level investigation and specialized functions. To most effectively respond to emergencies, the Bureau coordinates its work with other agencies.

Under the Bureau are two divisions: Community Relations, and Patrol.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIVISION
The Community Relations Division oversees the Community Relations Section, and the School Safety Section. The Division is assisted by Police Community Relations Councils.

POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCILS
Under the Community Relations Division, a single Police Community Relations Council first met in February 1966. Councils then were formed in the Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts, while the Western District Council was created several years later.

In each of the Police Department's four Police Districts, these councils serve as liaisons between the Department and the community to discuss problems of mutual concern. Meeting monthly, each Council develops programs to reduce crime and improve personal and property security.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS SECTION
Under the Community Relations Section are the Arundel Mills Community Police Station, and nine units.

ARUNDEL MILLS COMMUNITY POLICE STATION
The Arundel Mills Community Police Station provides enhanced uniformed patrol services in the Hanover area of the Western District. Patrol officers from the Community Relations Division staff the Community Police Office at Arundel Mills, and provide supplemental patrols to the businesses and residential areas around the Arundel Mills Mall and Maryland Live Casino.

BIKE PATROL UNIT
The Bike Patrol Unit provides a specialized response to enforcement operations and community issues

COURT LIAISON UNIT
The Court Liaison Unit serves subpoenas to case officers and coordinates court appearances. The Unit works with offices of the State Attorney, the Public Defender, private attorneys, judicial staff, and the Circuit Court Clerk to assure that police officers are available for court when needed, and to notify those offices of cancellations in a timely manner.

CRIME ANALYSIS UNIT
To assist patrol and criminal investigation personnel to prevent and suppress crime and apprehend criminals, the Crime Analysis Unit provides analysis of regularly collected information on reported crimes and criminals.

CRIME PREVENTION UNIT
The Crime Prevention Unit provides support and expertise in crime prevention and avoidance; oversees neighborhood watch programs; manages the Department’s volunteer Reserve Officer Program, the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program, and the Office of the Chaplain.

SCHOOL SAFETY SECTION
The Bureau's School Safety Section coordinates school and school-crossing safety, and the County's Teen Court Program. The Teen Court is a diversionary sentencing alternative provided to first-time, non-violent juvenile offenders.

The Section oversees four units: Crisis Intervention Team and Peer Support, Juvenile and Victim Assistance, School Crossing Guard, and School Resources.

CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM & PEER SUPPORT UNIT
The Crisis Intervention Team consists of a Team-trained police officer and licensed mental health clinician who specialize in the treatment of mental illness. In working with members in the community who suffer from mental illness, the Unit serves as the direct link between the Police Department and the Crisis Response System.

The Peer Support Team consists of specially trained officers and civilians who are available to assist members of the Department during traumatic incidents, or if they need a peer to speak with confidentially. After a traumatic incident, the Team also helps the community and members of the Department with critical incident stress management and debriefings.

JUVENILE & VICTIM ASSISTANCE UNIT
The Juvenile and Victim Assistance Unit provides services to and addresses the needs of crime victims. To the Department of Juvenile Services and the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Unit provides liaison services in all matters regarding the informal intake and handling of juvenile offenders. The Unit advocates for the rights of victims and assists crime witnesses as needed.

SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD UNIT
To ensure the safe passage of children, the School Crossing Guard Unit supervises the County’s school crossing guards, who provide traffic direction at intersections identified as hazardous school crossings.

SCHOOL RESOURCES UNIT
The School Resources Unit administers the School Resource Officer Program, and serves as direct liaison with the County Board of Education.

PATROL DIVISION
The Patrol Division is divided into four districts: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western. Each patrol district consists of a District Detective Unit, a Tactical Patrol Unit, a Tactical Narcotics Team, a Traffic Officer, and a dedicated Domestic Violence Officer. Each patrol district is responsible for initial response to, and investigation and resolution of local public safety and law enforcement problems.

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