Anne Arundel County Police Department

The Anne Arundel County Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, serving a population of more than 564,195 per 2015 census estimates across 588 square miles (1,500 km2) of jurisdiction. The Department was created by an Act of the Maryland General Assembly in 1937, and originally consisted of a Chief of Police, three sergeants, and seventeen patrolmen.

Anne Arundel County Police Department
AbbreviationAACOPD
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionMaryland, USA
Map of Anne Arundel County Police Department's jurisdiction.
Size588 square miles (1,500 km2)
Population573,235 (2017)
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersMillersville, Maryland, United States
Sworn members770
Agency executive
  • Amal Awad, Chief Of Police
Parent agencySteuart Pittman County Executive
Facilities
Stations4
Website
https://www.aacounty.org/departments/police-department/

As of 2020, the department is staffed by approximately 770 sworn officers and more than 200 civilian members, including chaplains, crime scene technicians, animal control officers, communications call-takers and dispatchers, and volunteer "reserve officers" under the leadership of Chief of Police, Amal Awad. The Anne Arundel County Police Department has been internationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies since July 30, 1994.

Rank structure

The Anne Arundel County Police Department operates as a para-military organization using these sworn personnel ranks:

Title Insignia
Chief of Police
Deputy Chief
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Corporal
Police First Class
Police Officer

Facilities

The Anne Arundel County Police Department is divided into four police districts, Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern. The Northern District Station is located in Brooklyn Park, Eastern District in Pasadena, Western District in Odenton, and Southern District in Edgewater. Additional facilities are the Police Department Headquarters in Millersville, the Special Operations Division Complex in Millersville, the K-9 center in Millersville, the Criminal Investigation Division in Millersville and the Police Training Academy in Davidsonville. The agency also has several sub-stations at various locations throughout the county, including one at Arundel Mills Mall.

Community relations

The section provides community service-oriented support in the areas of crime prevention and community relations, provides a variety of educational and community-based recreational youth programs and oversees the department’s volunteer program and the Office of the Chaplain. The section serves as a direct liaison with community groups to foster a better working relationship between the department and the communities.

Crime prevention

Through its Crime Prevention Unit, the section provides support and subject matter expertise in the area of crime prevention and avoidance. It conducts crime avoidance surveys for businesses and residences, and oversees neighborhood watch programs. The Crime Prevention Unit also manages the department’s volunteer Reserve Officer program, the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program, and the Office of the Chaplain. The Office of the Chaplain provides counseling and spiritual support to Department employees.

Special operations
N154PD Anne Arundel County Helicopter in 2002
N309LW Bell 407 Anne Arundel County Police Helicopter in 2015

The Special Operations Division includes the Quick Response Team (QRT/SWAT TEAM), K-9 Unit, Traffic Safety Section, and Aviation Unit. QRT and K9  provide tactical support for a variety of department activities including patrol operations, high-risk warrant service, selective patrol and narcotics operations, dignitary protection, and response to hostage, barricade, and terrorist incidents.

The Traffic Safety Section is responsible for investigating all life threatening and fatal traffic crashes. This Section also manages several traffic related programs and handles all escorts.

The Aviation Unit provides aerial tactical support of ground units including traffic enforcement, aerial observation and pursuits, missing persons, search and rescue, tactical patrol operations, and extraordinary police incidents.

Communications

Anne Arundel County operates an 800 MHz trunked radio system for all county police, fire and DPW communications. Broadcasts are currently digital communications for law enforcement; however fire, DPW and other users are still analog as of April 12, 2019. A new radio system is currently being installed and eventually all users will be digital.

Handguns

All sworn officers are issued a Glock 17 or 19 9mm as the primary sidearm. The department previously carried Sig Sauer P229 and transitioned in 2019.

Long guns

Remington 870 shotguns and AR-15 rifles are issued on each patrol shift to ensure the county is prepared for the contingencies that are a reality in the 21st century.

Other

The ASP expandable baton, O.C. spray and Tasers are issued to all officers. The department is in the process of transitioning from TASER X26P to the new TASER 7. "Less lethal" beanbag shotguns are issued on each shift to ensure they are capable of de-escalation in unavoidable use of force encounters.

Vehicles include marked and unmarked Ford Taurus Interceptors, Utility Interceptors, and F150 trucks. The department also utilizes a variety of covert vehicles for special assignments.

Past chiefs
  • John Souers 1937-1951
  • Daniel Bratton 1951-1954
  • Wilbur Wade 1954-1962
  • Edward King 1962-1964
  • Elmer Hagner 1964-1969
  • Edward Praley 1969-1974
  • Ashley Vick 1974-1979
  • Maxwell Frye 1979-1983
  • William Lindsey 1983-1986
  • George Wellham 1986-1991
  • Robert Russel 1991-1994
  • Robert Beck 1994-1997
  • Larry Tolliver 1997-1998 (Former Superintendent, Maryland State Police)
  • Patrick Shanahan 1998-2006
  • James Teare, Sr. 2006–2012
  • Larry Tolliver, 2012- 2013
  • Kevin Davis, 2013–2014
  • Timothy J. Altomare, 2014–2020
  • Amal Awad 2020-present

See also

References

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