The County Detention Center and the Central Booking Facility are overseen by the Department, which is responsible for meeting the needs of those incarcerated (County Code, secs. 7.500-7.503).
![[photo, Old Howard County Emory Street Jail, 3709 Park Ave., Ellicott City, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/how/images/1198-1-07853b.jpg)
DETENTION CENTER
Old Howard County Emory Street Jail, 3709 Park Ave. (formerly 1 Emory St.), Ellicott City, Maryland, October 2016. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.
CENTRAL BOOKING FACILITY
The Central Booking Facility processes all persons arrested in the County, including juveniles waived to adult jurisdiction, by the County Police Department, the Natural Resources Police Force, the Maryland State Police, and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. Those arrested are searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and processed before being seen by a District Court Commissioner for an initial hearing.
The Department oversees two offices: Emergency Management, and Fire Marshal.
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Appointed by the Governor on recommendation of the County Executive, the Director oversees the Department (Code Public Safety Article, sec. 14-109).
OFFICE OF FIRE MARSHAL
Community outreach, internal affairs, and public relations programs are conducted for the Department through the Office of the Chief. Other services provided by the Office are the Honor Guard, which presents the colors at Departmental events and police funerals, and the Police Foundation, which manages the Department's scholarship fund, and organizes special events.
For adult residents, the Department offers a Citizens Police Academy, an annual program lasting eleven sessions. Through the Academy, residents learn the day-to-day operations of the Department. Sessions include classes, ride-alongs, and simulated exercises on traffic and criminal law enforcement, community policing, conducting investigations, and defensive tactics and use of force. In addition, athletic programs, leadership camps, nature programs, and a Youth Police Academy are offered to community youth by the Department through Operations.
The Council's twenty-three members are appointed by the Chief of Police.
ADMINISTRATION
Administration functions through two bureaus: Human Resources, and Management Services.
The Animal Control Division enforces State and County animal control ordinances. Duties include responding to calls regarding animals that are dangerous, wild, or lost. The Division also issues animal licenses and tags. In cooperation with the County Health Officer, the Division ensures that pets receive rabies vaccinations. In addition, the Division houses captured and unwanted pets, and provides for their adoption (County Code, sec. 17.300-17.321).
The Board is composed of seven members. They are appointed to five-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent (County Code, secs. 6.300, 17.320).
OPERATIONS
Operations consists of two regional patrol districts, and two bureaus: Criminal Investigations, and Special Operations.
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Booking arrested persons formerly had been the responsiblity of the County Police Department. That function transferred to the Department of Corrections in March 2005, when an additional building opened at the Detention Center to house the Central Booking Facility.
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES
Responding to emergencies in the County, the Department of Fire and Rescue Services is responsible for fire prevention, suppression, and investigation, as well as rescue and emergency medical response. Aiding other counties as needed, the Department maintains a fleet of fire and rescue responders, and oversees and coordinates volunteer and commercial units operating in the County. (County Code, secs. 17.100-17.111).
Under the Department of Fire and Rescue Services, the Office of Emergency Management directs emergency preparation, response, mitigation, and recovery; and develops and maintains the County's emergency plans. The Office maintains the County's Emergency Operations Center from which it coordinates federal, State and local responders during emergencies. The Office, following emergencies, also coordinates federal and State disaster relief efforts, and receives and disburses aid funds. To ensure quick and efficient response during emergencies, the Office conducts emergency exercises and drills of responders operating in the County (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 14-109 through 14-113).
The Office of Fire Marshal inspects commercial, public and private properties to ensure adherence to State and County fire codes. The Office also investigates scenes of fire to determine cause. In cases of criminal cause, the Office assists law enforcement officers, and aids prosecution. In addition, the Office conducts public education programs for schools, assisted living facilities, and community groups.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Law enforcement duties in Howard County were the sole responsibility of the Sheriff's Office until 1894, when the County Commissioners were authorized to appoint local police officers in designated jurisdictions to aid law enforcement efforts. Replacing local forces in 1952, the Police Department was created to be the primary law enforcement agency for the County (Chapter 496, Acts of 1894; County Code, secs. 17.200-17.206).
CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL
Authorized in 1990, the Citizens Advisory Council advises the Chief of Police and the Police Department on improving law enforcement and promoting closer relations between the police and the community.
Administration provides budget, human resource, information technology, and procurement services for the Police Department. Duties include creation of operating budgets; employee screening, hiring and training; fleet management; forensic and computer forensic analysis; and trauma counseling for officers and staff.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES BUREAU
The Management Services Bureau oversees the Animal Control Division.
ANIMAL CONTROL DIVISION
Animal control duties for the County were performed by the Sheriff's Office until 1993, when they transferred to the Police Department, and the newly created Animal Control Division.
ANIMAL MATTERS HEARING BOARD
Appeals of citations issued by the Animal Control Division are heard by the Animal Matters Hearing Board. In rulings of guilt, the Board may issue fines or require animal impoundment. On matters related to the enforcement of animal control laws, the Board advises the County Council, makes recommendations on standards and procedures for the animal control facility, and annually reviews the facility's proposed budget.
Conducting patrols and investigations, Operations provides traffic patrols, and regular police presence and response in the community. In addition to routine patrol units, Operations maintains horse and bike patrols, as well as specialized response units, such as aviation, k-9, and negotiations and tactical squads. School crossing guards and youth programs also are provided through Operations.
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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us