About the Chief: 

Chief Gary L. Gardner is a 30-year veteran of the Howard County Police Department. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Police, he held the position of Deputy Chief for Operations, overseeing the patrol districts, the operational preparedness division and the youth services division.

Throughout his career, Chief Gardner has served in nearly every component of the department, including as the Deputy Chief for Administration, Commander of the criminal investigations bureau, Chief of Staff, Commander in the patrol division and public information officer. His contributions and accomplishments include the realignment of patrol beats for improved response services; implementation of a crime analysis-driven system for better allocating resources in patrol operations; development of the Alpha Ridge Training Center as the head of the police planning team; and creation of the department’s Police Memorial Courtyard and Garden at headquarters.

Since becoming police chief in 2014, Chief Gardner has created and expanded a new Community Outreach Division; launched a body camera pilot workgroup; added a Mental Health Liaison, Youth Liaison and Pathway Patrol unit; expanded community partnerships through the faith community and various multi-cultural and specialty-needs groups; instituted new community outreach programs, like Coffee with a Cop; and implemented training in the areas of Crisis Intervention, Fair and Impartial Policing, and Customer Service. He currently serves as the 1st Vice President for the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association.

Chief Gardner has a Master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University and is a graduate of the F.B.I.’s National Academy. He is a member of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, the International Chiefs of Police Association and the F.B.I. National Academy Associates. He is also an active supporter of Maryland Special Olympics and other law enforcement-related charities. Chief Gardner is also a graduate of Leadership Howard County, class of 2006.

Our core values at the Howard County Police Department are Integrity, Pride and Community. You’ll see those words on our patch logo displayed throughout the agency. You’ll also see them in our actions day in and day out.

It is the mission of the Howard County Police Department to provide a secure environment for the citizens of Howard County by protecting life and property, reducing the opportunity for crime and disorder, enforcing the law, assisting victims and providing other police-related services as required by the community in a manner consistent with the values of a free society. HCPD embraces the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police. We are committed to resolving problems collaboratively through a partnership between the department and our community.

Our Values

Integrity: The department and its personnel can only succeed in their mission if we maintain our integrity. Our authority to deprive people of their life, freedom and property comes from the trust bestowed upon us. Once this trust is broken, by an individual or by the department, our actions are rightfully called into question. The department and its employees must hold themselves to a standard that is beyond reproach.

Pride: The department is a proud institution and works to develop this pride in its sworn, civilian and volunteer personnel. We are proud of our rich tradition of providing quality police services to the residents and visitors of Howard County. We are proud to be a part of a noble profession that is called upon to maintain order in a free society. We are proud of the real partnerships we have with the people we serve. We are proud of the highly motivated, highly trained, and highly respected personnel we have.

Community: The cornerstone of this department is the relationship we have with the community we serve. Our ability to be effective in carrying out our mission is based on the credibility we have with the community. Understanding that we are a part of, and not separate from, the community is critical. Although we are granted full-time responsibility for policing the community, we cannot do it without the approval and cooperation of the public. The department strives to enhance this relationship in several ways: By ensuring that each police contact is carried out fairly and with respect; by seeking input from the public on our programs, procedures and priorities; and by being active in community programs and charities.

The Howard County Department of Police obtained national accreditation from The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., known as CALEA, on July 28, 1990. Re-accreditation was earned in 2006 and 2009. The department had the honor of being named a Flagship Agency in both 2006 and 2009, a prestigious designation. In between accreditations, the department submits an annual compliance report to CALEA.

Officer of the Month 2017:
PFC Bradford Skove (Jan)
PFC Patrick Rafferty (Feb)
PFC Sarah Miller (March)
PFC Charles Reed (April)
PO Christopher Martin (May)
PO Zachary Perchinski (June)
PFC Kirk Brown (July)
CPL Erik Gillenwater (Aug)
PFC Russell Diangelo (Sept)
PO John Beamer (Oct)
PFC Timothy Kane (Nov)

Dispatcher of the Quarter 2017:
Dispatcher Lisa Walker (1st Q)
Dispatcher First Class Amanda Marsh (2nd Q)
Dispatcher First Class Jessie Vollmerhausen (3rd Q)
Senior Dispatcher Rob Roy Baker (4th Q)

Civilian of the Quarter 2017:
Theresa Collins (1st Q)
Ashley Stevenson (2nd Q)
Joan Soule (3rd Q)
Emily Alexander (4th Q)