CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
DETENTION CENTER
Appointed by the Governor on recommendation of the County Executive, the Director oversees the Office (Code Public Safety Article, sec. 14-109).
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Aided by the Fire and Emergency Services Commission, the Department of Fire and Rescue Service is comprised of four divisions: Administrative Services, Operations, Support Services, and Volunteer Services.
The Commission consists of seven members appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent. Three members represent the public, two represent career companies, and two represent volunteer companies.
DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
DIVISION OF OPERATIONS
DIVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES
Under the Division is the Public Safety Training Academy, which develops and offers training programs to County and volunteer fire and rescue responders. In addition, the Division develops standards for training, equipment, and response procedures.
The Office of the Fire Marshal assists the Division.
DIVISION OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES
From 1922 to 1935, the Board of County Commissioners designated one police officer within the Department to serve as Chief. In 1935, the position was altered so that the Board could appoint the Police Chief from any source, at their discretion (Chapter 9, Acts of 1935). When the County transitioned to charter government in 1948, the duty of appointing the Police Chief transferred to the County Executive.
For the public, the Police Department provides protection and crime prevention, and investigates crimes when they occur. During emergencies, the Department works in cooperation with federal, State and local law enforcement agencies, and supports emergency service providers.
The Department oversees the Internal Affairs Division, and four bureaus: Field Services, Investigative Services, Management Services, and Patrol Services. In addition, the Department is aided by the Firearm Safety Committee.
Seven members constitute the Committee. They are appointed to three-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent (County Code, sec. 57-2).
FIELD SERVICES BUREAU
The Bureau oversees five divisions: Animal Services, Crisis Response and Support, Special Operations, Security Services, and Traffic. Also under the Bureau are the Public Information Office, and the Drone Command Center.
The Center controls the Police Department's drone program.
INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES BUREAU
The Bureau consists of four divisions: Criminal Investigations, Major Crimes, Special Investigations, and Special Victims Investigations.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES BUREAU
The Bureau consists of six divisions: Communications; Information Management and Technology; Legal and Labor; Management and Budget; Personnel; Policy and Planning; and Training and Education.
PATROL SERVICES BUREAU
The Bureau is operated through six geographically defined patrol districts.
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The Correctional Facility houses over 1,000 persons, including those awaiting trial and inmates serving sentences of less than eighteen months. The Facility provides educational and vocational programs, and medical and religious services to inmates. To coordinate employment for inmates following their release, the Facility maintains an employment center.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP
Housing up to 200 inmates, the Detention Center processes all persons arrested in the County. The Center also conducts psychological and medical screening and risk assessment to determine the needs and placement of inmates prior to trial or sentencing.
ROCKVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & HOMELAND SECURITY
The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security enforces federal and State orders, rules, and regulations related to emergency preparation and response (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 14-109 through 14-113). The Office conducts operations to prepare for emergencies and disasters. Its work is to respond to and recover from them. The Office also informs and trains residents to prepare for emergencies. During such events, the Office coordinates efforts by federal, State and local agencies to protect and aid residents (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 14-109 through 14-115).
Emergency Preparedness develops the County’s emergency response plans, and coordinates efforts with federal and State agencies to prepare for natural and man-made disasters. Terrorism surveillance is conducted through Emergency Preparedness in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE
Through career and volunteer responders, the Department of Fire and Rescue Service provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical assistance to residents (County Code, Chapters 21 & 22).
FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMISSION
Established in August 2009, the Fire and Emergency Services Commission advises the County Executive, the County Council, and the Fire Chief on matters related to fire and emergency medical response. The Council makes recommendations on response policy and planning, as well as guidelines on curriculum and programs offered by the Division of Support Services.
Under the Department of Fire and Rescue Service, the Division of Administrative Services sees to the Department's budgetary, human resources, procurement, and other administrative duties.
The Division of Operations oversees the operation and coordination of the County’s fire and emergency response companies. In addition to fire and medical responders, the Division maintains special teams to handle specific emergencies, such as hazardous materials, or swift water rescue.
The Division of Support Services originated as the Division of Wellness, Safety, and Training. In June 2010, it reformed as the Division of Risk Reduction and Training Services, and later became the Division of Support Services.
OFFICE OF FIRE MARSHAL
Performing fire prevention inspections of commercial and public properties, the Fire Marshal enforces State and County fire codes. The Fire Marshal also helps local law enforcement investigate arson and other fire-related matters.
Overseeing volunteer fire and rescue companies operating in the County, the Division of Volunteer Services inspects and audits these companies to ensure that County equipment, training, and response standards are met. Recruitment and retention efforts by companies, and their benefit programs, are overseen by the Division. The Division also works to increase interaction between career and volunteer companies.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
Established on July 1, 1922, the Montgomery County Police Department absorbed law enforcement duties from the Montgomery County Sheriff and designated constables (Chapter 259, Acts of 1922). The Department was authorized to consist of three to six officers appointed to two-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners. In 1927, the Department was expanded to twenty officers (Chapter 299, Acts of 1927). Today, the Department has over 1,300 police officers and 650 support personnel.
FIREARM SAFETY COMMITTEE
The Firearm Safety Committee issues approval certificates for indoor and outdoor target, trap, skeet and shooting ranges, and may specify the type of gun and ammunition that may be used on the range . Each approval certificate is valid for three years, and can only be issued when the Committee finds that the discharge of guns on the range will not jeopardize life or property; and the applicant for the certificate is the owner, lessee, or person lawfully in possession of the land where the range is located. In addition, the Committee must create a standard safety checklist to assure that all firing ranges are evaluated using the same criteria, and must inspect any firing range operated by the Department of Police every three years.
INTERNAL AFFAIRS DIVISION
Investigating allegations of misconduct by members of the Department of Police, the Internal Affairs Division works to ensure that Department personnel conduct their duties lawfully and ethically.
Responsible for a wide range of duties, the Field Services Bureau responds to calls ranging from animal bites to terrorism. The Bureau consists of focused divisions designed to provide tactical support and medical assistance during crime response, provide community safety and support during special events, and assist in community awareness and involvement in police activities.
DRONE COMMAND CENTER
Under the Police Department, the Drone Command Center started in 2023.
The Investigative Services Bureau conducts investigations for the Department of Police, and maintains the Department's Crime Laboratory. In addition to investigating crimes, the Bureau investigates criminal trends, and works with the Public Information Office to promote public awareness and crime prevention.
SPECIAL VICTIMS INVESTIGATION DIVISION
The Special Victims Investigation Division originated as the Family Crimes Division, and adopted its present name in July 2014.
Responsible for administrative duties of the Department of Police, the Management Services Bureau provides for budget, human resources, and procurement, and manages Departmental records. The Bureau also oversees Department efforts on vehicle recovery, legal status and labor documentation, and emergency alarm reduction. Moreover, the Police Department’s Training Academy is overseen by the Bureau.
The primary response branch of the Department of Police, the Patrol Services Bureau conducts regular patrols, and responds to emergency calls for police assistance.
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