![[photo, Old Howard County Emory Street Jail, 3709 Park Ave., Ellicott City, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/how/images/1198-1-07853b.jpg)
DETENTION CENTERBooking 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.
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.
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).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
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.
Under the Department are three main units: Administration, the Investigations and Special Operations Command, and the Operations Command.
The Council's twenty-three members are appointed by the Chief of Police.
County Police Headquarters, Warfield Building, 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland, May 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
The Police Accountability Board receives complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public. On a quarterly basis, the Board meets with heads of law enforcement agencies, and works with those agencies and County government to improve County policing.
Legal mandates providing for the Board also authorized Charging Committees and Trial Boards, whose civilian members are appointed by the Police Accountability Board. On a quarterly basis, the Board reviews disciplinary matters considered by Charging Committees.
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Board consists of seven members who serve three-year terms. One member from each of five Councilmanic districts, and two at-large members are so appointed (County Code, sec. 17.207).
Meeting at least monthly, the Committee reviews the findings of each law enforcement agency’s investigation of police misconduct complaints forwarded by the agency to the Committee. From information related to the investigation, the Committee makes determinations and recommendations. It may review body camera footage, call a police officer before the Committee, determine if a police officer should be charged administratively, or recommend discipline. The Committee may submit written opinions to the director of the law enforcement agency, and to the accused police officer, the complainant, and the Police Accountability Board.
Five members constitute the Committee. The County Council appoints two members to two-year terms as does the Police Accountability Board. One member serves ex officio (Code Public Safety Article, sec. 3-104).
ADMINISTRATION
Administration functions through three bureaus: Human Resources, Information and Technology, 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 COMMAND
The Operations Command consists of the Special Operations Support Bureau, the Northern District Patrol, and the Southern District Patrol.
Search the Manual
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
![[photo, County Police Headquarters, Warfield Building, 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/how/images/buildings/1198-1-08651c.jpg)
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).
County Police Headquarters, Warfield Building, 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland, May 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
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.
![[photo, County Police Headquarters, Warfield Building, 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/how/images/buildings/1198-1-08650c.jpg)
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.
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD
Effective July 1, 2022, the General Assembly required each Maryland county to have a Police Accountability Board (Chapter 59, Acts of 2021). In Howard County, the County Council established the Police Accountability Board in April 2022 (County Council Bill no. 83-2021).
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE
The Administrative Charging Committee was established in 2022.
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, the Operations Command 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.
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance
Maryland Manual On-Line
e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov