Carroll County Police Department

More than 20 people spoke before the Carroll County Board of Commissioners yesterday at a public hearing on the creation of a county police force, many reiterating their opposition to the idea and their desire for a referendum on the issue.

Some said they want to maintain and expand the local sheriff's office rather than begin developing a countywide force with an appointed police chief, as a proposed ordinance details.

"I'm not really convinced that a move to a county police force is the right move at this time," said Wayne Hollenbaugh, an Eldersburg resident who has lived in Carroll since the 1970s.

County voters have elected "the right sheriff over the past 10 years," he said, referring to a concern the commissioners have expressed about having an elected law-enforcement leader. Residents need to know the pros and cons of a county force versus a sheriff's department as primary law enforcement, he added.

Raymond Page, who moved to the county five years ago, said he believed the commissioners should reverse their October decision to create a new force.

"Why reinvent a new wheel when we already have a great police force?" Page said.

There's no need to rush the decision, added John D. Witiak, of Union Bridge. "Take more time and let citizens have their say."

The county pays the costs for the Maryland State Police's resident trooper program but doesn't control expenditures, according to a presentation describing how the board arrived at its decision. Not having unified law enforcement makes communications and dispatch more difficult, the commissioners have said.

Although opponents of the proposal dominated yesterday's hearing, the commissioners said they have received comments from residents who support it.

"Many county residents have been hesitant to voice their support of a county police force ... because of the ever-present and overbearing presence of the sheriff's supporters," said Commissioner Dean L. Minnich, during a meeting Tuesday. "I'm being asked, I'm being implored, to hang tough and do not allow an elected law-enforcement entity in Carroll County."

All three spent the Tuesday commissioners' meeting explaining their views on the subject.

"Each of us have heard from the public that they're not getting the service from the police departments that we have ... that they want, and it's also not what we feel they deserve," Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge said.

The October vote emerged from years of conversation, Minnich said. "I certainly have no reservations or second thoughts about the direction that we're moving."

A community meeting, at which the commissioners are expected to answer questions, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday in the county office building.

Another hearing is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at Oklahoma Road Middle School in Eldersburg.

Carroll County Police Department

On October 4, 2007, the Board of County Commissioners voted to create a county police force. The new department would be led by an appointed police chief. Commissioners directed a task force to be established to lead the transition. The Carroll County Police Department is expected to be in operation no later than 2010.

Highlights

A unified law enforcement system will mean the fastest response possible for residents.
A county police force will reduce duplication of administrative services such as staffing for technical, human resources, and fleet management support.
The cost of the resident trooper program has grown too much to be cost effective.

Background

Carroll County residents are currently served by multiple law enforcement agencies:

Sheriff's Office (67 certified officers);
Maryland State Police Resident Trooper Program (45 officers);
Maryland State Police barrack troopers (30 officers); and
Five town police forces - Westminster, Sykesville, Hampstead, Manchester and Taneytown - with a combined total of 76 officers.

The Board of County Commissioners provides funding for the Sheriff's Office, but the elected sheriff determines how that money is spent. The relationship is similar to the one between the County and the public school system. Between fiscal years 2003 and 2008, the Commissioners added funding for 22 additional deputies.

Several times over the past 15 years, the issue of moving to a county police force was studied. Most recently, in 2007, a committee of County staff examined the financial and policy implications of three options:

Keep the current law enforcement structure.
Move to an integrated program by expanding the Sheriff's Office.
Move to an integrated program by establishing a Carroll County Police Department.

What will change?

The Resident Trooper Program will be discontinued.
All deputies from the current Sheriff's Office will be given the opportunity to be part of the original core of the new police corps.

What will stay the same?

The Sheriff will continue to be elected by Carroll County residents, providing those duties outlined in the Maryland constitution: courthouse security, transportation of prisoners, and the serving of summons.
Maryland State Police will continue to staff its Westminster barrack.
Town police forces will not be affected.

Why change?

A unified police force brings greater efficiency. That is true for both personnel and finances.

When a resident calls for police, the closest available officer should respond. Under the current system, there is no patrol sharing, so the closest officer from the requested agency is dispatched. This has caused delays in some response times.
Carroll County is charged 122% of the cost for each of its 45 resident troopers.
Supporting two county-wide agencies leads to duplication of some services (administration, fleet services, etc.) Fiscal prudence suggests that a force directly under the county's control would cost less.

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Carroll County Police Department to be created

Opposition to Carroll police force is voiced

Carroll County Police Department to be created

Opposition to Carroll police force is voiced