From the founding of Howard County until 1894, the county's law enforcement responsibilities were handled by the Howard County Sheriff's Office. In 1894, the Howard County Commissioners were granted the power to appoint local police officers in designated jurisdictions inside the county to aid in law enforcement duties. In 1904, the second district police force was formed with Julius Wosch as the sole officer. Wosch was paid using a fee system of 15 cents for any paper served, and 25 cents for a dog tax with a penalty of pet destruction for non-payment. Wosch doubled the staff in 1935 paying Edgar Russel Moxley from his own earnings as an assistant. In 1938, the Maryland State Police expanded police services with a station on the site of the historic Spurrier's Tavern in Waterloo. The Howard County Police Department in its current form was founded in 1952, by Chapter 496 of the Acts of 1894, in sections 17.200 through 17.206 of the Howard County code. After the founding of the HCPD, Howard County Commissioner Norman E. Moxley appointed his brother Edgar Russell Moxley chief, with four officers and a population of 20,000. A single 1952 ford was purchased for patrols. Moxley was followed by Fred L Ford, who served until December 1962. By 1963, Howard County had 21 police staff employed, serving 44,000. The County placed a goal of 1370 to one ratio by 1975. Jack L. Larrimore served as police chief from 1963-1969. Counter-insurrection training was added in 1965, and the Howard County Interracial Commission recommended hiring of African American officers to reduce countywide racial tensions in 1967. Larrimore ran for County Executive in 1969, against Omar J. Jones who did not renew his commission. In 1971, the force increased to 68 with six day weeks implemented to handle crime sprees in the Columbia development. Garland R Walters served in 1972, a year where recorded crime rates went up 50% more per year as the Rouse Company development Columbia expanded. Robert Matthew was appointed by executive Edward L. Cochran for a period from 1974-1978. Paul H. Rappaport served from 1979 to 1987. James N. Robey was appointed Chief of the 295 officer force by Charles I. Ecker replacing Frederick W. Chaney in 1991. He retired in 1998 to run for County Executive. Matthews was convicted for raiding his mother's estate and sentenced to 1 year in jail in 2001. Wayne Livesay retired in 2006 to run for County Council. Bill McMahon was appointed to Chief by County Executive Ken Ulman, retiring in 2014 at the end of Ulman's term and replaced by 30-year veteran Gary Gardner in July 2014.
The current chief of police is Gary Gardner. The HCPD divides the county into two districts, northern and southern. The agency has the following sections
Patrol
K-9
Aviation - The HCPD aviation unit operates one Bell 407 helicopter, which is shared with Anne Arundel County at the Tipton Airport. The helicopter crashed May 31, 2013 at Wilde Lake High School from a failed overspeed sensor that shut down the engine and has been restored for operations. The four people on board were uninjured. The unit also has access to Anne Arundel's three helicopters when needed.
Emergency Services Unit
Tactical
Bike Patrol
Criminal Investigations
Traffic Enforcement
Youth Services
Communications
Auxiliary Police
Education and Training
Warrants Division
SWAT team
Controversy
Howard County's Office of Law has attempted to block civil suits against the HCPD, citing legislation that binds the corporate entity of the HCPD to the corporate entity of the Howard County government, the latter of which being impervious to legal action unrelated to county legislation. There have been allegations that this action is a direct violation of the people's right to petition in the government for redress of grievances.
