Category: Police Page 1 of 12

College Park currently receives police services through a multi-layered system led primarily by the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD), supplemented by City-funded programs and other specialized agencies. PGPD provides core services, including patrol, dispatch, and investigations, funded in part through property taxes paid to the County.

The $4 Million PGPD Patrol Service

PGPD patrol services provide police coverage in College Park. We receive these services in exchange for the taxes we pay to the County. According to the Prince George’s County Office of Management and Budget (OMB), College Park residents and businesses will pay approximately $4 million annually in FY2027 through the County tax differential to receive PGPD patrol services, including limited investigative support.

PGPD dispatch services are handled through the County’s Emergency Communications Center (ECC), which manages all 911 and non-emergency calls countywide. This is a separate program within the County’s operating budget and is not part of the PGPD patrol budget. SWAT, gang units, and other specialized services are also funded through the countywide police budget, not through the patrol tax differential.

As shown below, it appears that our residents are not receiving a level of PGPD patrol services that corresponds to the taxes they pay to the County. And there are good reasons why that is not happening – please read more on that below.

Because of the limited patrol coverage provided in College Park through PGPD patrol services, the City established its own contract police program, staffed by off-duty PGPD officers working various shifts and hours. The contract program is funded separately through the City’s general funds. However, the discussion regarding the contract police program is a separate topic. The focus of this article is the PGPD patrol services for which our residents pay approximately $4 million annually.

How Much Services We Get as Part of Patrol Services?

Let’s break down more on the PGPD patrol services cover services provided by the patrol officers, COPS officers and investigation services.

(1) Patrol Officers: For patrol services, only two PGPD patrol officers are assigned to Beat Areas 6 and 7 to provide primary coverage for College Park. They patrol our streets and respond to 911 calls.

(2) COPS Officers: Additionally, two Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) officers—one assigned to each beat—provide services such as the Police Explorers program, the Citizens’ Police Academy, and other community outreach initiatives. Their primary role is not street patrol, but rather enhancing community policing efforts.

These beats are part of District 1 (Hyattsville), which serves a geographic area extending beyond the City’s municipal boundaries. Beat 7 covers north College Park, along with a large portion of Greenbelt and a small section of the Beltsville area. Beat 6 covers south College Park and also includes areas within the Town of University Park and the City of Riverdale Park, extending east of Kenilworth Avenue.

Because the areas outside of College Park have their own police departments, PGPD beat and COPS officers do not actively patrol those jurisdictions. However, they do spend time coordinating with the respective municipal police departments on incidents originating within those portions of Beats 6 and 7.

In some situations, PGPD beat officers also provide coverage in areas outside College Park within their assigned beats when sufficient staffing is not available from the municipal police departments operating in those jurisdictions.

PGPD Beat Maps (B6 & B7). Source

In a typical 24-hour period, four PGPD beat officers cover the two beat areas serving College Park through two 12-hour shifts. This is equivalent to 48 hours of service per day, or 336 hours per week. The two COPS officers work one 10-hour shift, four days a week, which is equivalent to 80 hours per week. In total, these officers collectively provide approximately 416 officer-hours of service over a one-week period. This is equivalent to roughly seven officers working standard 8-hour shifts in a single day.

(3) Investigation / Detective Services: The amount of investigative and crime analysis services that College Park receives as part of PGPD patrol services is not readily available. Based on national benchmarks from the U.S. Department of Justice, a typical police department allocates approximately 8%–12% of its sworn officers to investigative functions. Accordingly, we can assume that no more than the equivalent of one full-time officer is dedicated to investigative services for College Park.

Based on the above analysis, the overall level of service increases to approximately eight officers working standard 8-hour shifts. Because these officers patrol areas larger than the City of College Park and are assigned throughout the broader District 1 area, the actual time dedicated exclusively to the City is likely somewhat less than these equivalents. In reality, the number is probably closer to seven officers covering College Park in 8-hour shifts.

Also, let’s not forget that even though we receive investigative and COPS officer support, at any given time we are getting only about two police officers actively patrolling our streets.

Are Residents Getting What They’re Paying For?

We probably do not need an exhaustive police study to understand the level of police services that a $4 million annual budget could provide. Looking at the police budgets and staffing levels of nearby municipalities can already give us a reasonable picture of what that level of funding is capable of supporting.

Several cities and towns surrounding College Park operate their own municipal police departments with annual budgets that are at or below the approximately $4 million patrol services tax differential currently associated with College Park residents and businesses. As shown in the table below, some of these municipalities are able to maintain significantly larger police staffing levels and more direct local patrol coverage with budgets that are substantially less than $4 million.

These comparisons suggest that there is indeed a considerable gap between the level of police services College Park residents are currently receiving and the amount of funding generated from the community for primary police patrol services.

The presence of the City’s 15.5 FTE contract police program also contribute indirectly to residents not receiving a level of County police resources equivalent to what they pay for, because the program helps reduce the City’s crime rate and call volume. Please note that College Park does have its share of crime, averaging about 500 non-violent crimes and 100 violent crimes annually, not including crimes reported by the University of Maryland Police (UMPD). We also receive many requests from residents to increase patrols on their streets. Therefore, additional resources to help our residents feel safer would only be appreciated.

This does not necessarily mean that PGPD is failing to perform its duties. Rather, it reflects the reality that PGPD allocates resources countywide based on call volume and operational priorities, not based on the amount of tax differential revenue generated by individual municipalities.

The question for College Park residents and policymakers is therefore a broader policy question: whether the current structure provides the best value and level of service for the community, or whether a different model could provide more direct local policing resources, greater accountability, and more responsive service using the same funding stream.

The Gap Issue Will Worsen In Future Years

The gap between what College Park residents pay and the level of police services they receive is likely to continue widening in future years. This trend is already evident from the City’s significant economic growth over the past decade.

From FY2018 to FY2027, College Park’s tax base—the total assessed value of taxable property in the City—grew by approximately 75%, increasing from about $2.4 billion to roughly $4.2 billion.

This growth has substantially outpaced inflation and increases in labor costs in many sectors, creating additional fiscal capacity over time. As the City’s tax base has grown, so has the amount of tax differential revenue generated from College Park residents and businesses for primary police services provided by the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).

However, while the tax revenue associated with College Park has increased significantly, the level of PGPD patrol staffing allocated to the City has not increased proportionally.

As a result, unless there is a major shift in PGPD’s resource allocation policy, the gap between the taxes paid by College Park residents and the police services received by the community will likely continue to grow in the years ahead.

Trends in Tax Revenue Differential and PGPD Police Staffing Levels

How to Address the Gap Between Taxes Residents Pay and Services They Get?

One possible solution is for the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) to increase the level of police services provided to College Park so that it better reflects the taxes our residents pay. Unfortunately, based on PGPD’s long-standing policy on resource allocation to jurisdictions without municipal police departments, this is unlikely to happen.

PGPD allocates patrol resources primarily based on call volume and crime trends—not on the amount of taxes collected from residents in a particular municipality. Because College Park’s call volume and crime rates have remained relatively steady over the years, we should not expect a significant increase in police staffing or patrol coverage simply because the City now contributes substantially more tax revenue to the County.

A few months ago, I personally raised this concern in a letter to our County Executive. However, I do not expect PGPD’s allocation model to change, and frankly, I do not believe PGPD is at fault. The department appears to be applying its policy consistently across the County.

The other option to address this growing gap between the taxes residents pay and the police resources allocated to our community is to utilize the approximately $4 million patrol services tax differential and establish a small municipal police department, similar to other municipalities in Prince George’s County.

Doing so could not only address the current imbalance, but also provide several additional benefits, including greater local control over policing priorities, faster response to community concerns, and more direct accountability to College Park residents. In many small municipalities, police officers are viewed as trusted members of the community—residents know them personally and often see as partners and family friends. This type of community-oriented policing can help build stronger relationships, improve trust, ensure that local concerns are heard, and create a more positive and responsive public safety environment.

One of the biggest advantages of having a city police department is local control, which often leads to better responsiveness and quality of service. We already see this in other areas — for example, our City Public Works does a much better job with services like snow removal compared to many unincorporated areas of the county. The same principle can apply to policing: when services are managed locally, residents typically receive more focused attention, greater accountability, and services better tailored to the community’s needs.

Importantly, this would not necessarily require additional recurring dollars to operate the department annually, since the funding would come from the existing tax differential already generated by College Park residents and businesses. While there would certainly be one-time startup and capital costs associated with establishing a municipal department, those costs should be viewed as a long-term investment in improved local public safety, stronger community policing, and greater local control over policing priorities.

At tomorrow’s City Council meeting, the Council will discuss the scope of a potential police study. Public safety and policing have consistently emerged as top priorities for residents in recent community surveys. In the 2025 City of College Park Community Survey, residents identified “Crime Prevention” as a Very High Priority, ranking it at the top among the City services they evaluated. Similarly, in the recent FY2027 Budget Priority Survey, residents indicated that they want the City to invest more in “Public Safety / Contract Police” services, placing it among the most important areas for future City funding. These survey results highlight a clear and consistent message from the community that strengthening public safety and policing services should remain a key focus for the City.

The College Park community has been discussing the possibility of establishing its own police department for nearly two decades. Of the municipalities in Prince George’s County that do not have their own police departments, College Park is by far the largest, while the others are very small towns with populations under 1,000.

A municipality operating its own police department can provide several advantages, including greater local control over policing priorities, faster response to community concerns, and more direct accountability to residents. The City has commissioned two police feasibility studies—one in 2007 and another in 2018. The 2018 study recommended continuing with the existing policing model at the time but noted that the City should consider establishing its own police department in the future.

College Park currently receives police services through a multi-layered system led primarily by the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD), supplemented by City-funded programs and other specialized agencies. PGPD provides core services including patrol, dispatch, and investigations, funded in part by taxes paid by part of the property taxes to the County. To supplement PGPD services, the City operates a Contract Police Program established in 2004, which employs off-duty PGPD officers to provide approximately 15.5 full-time equivalent patrol positions, funded primarily through speed camera revenue. Additionally, the University of Maryland Police Department also plays a significant role, operating as a full-service agency with about 104 sworn officers and concurrent jurisdiction in and around the university, focusing primarily on campus and nearby student neighborhoods. Additional agencies—including the Maryland State Police, Metro Transit Police Department, and Maryland-National Capital Park Police—provide limited, specialized services such as highway enforcement, transit security, and park policing, but do not perform general municipal patrols

For a number of reasons, we need a new public safety study in 2026.

Reason 1: Increase in Funding Source
A proposed police department in College Park would be funded primarily by the tax differential revenue, currently paid by the City residents to the County. The tax differential helps ensure residents do not pay twice for the same service. Right now, College Park residents pay property and personal taxes to both the City and Prince George’s County. The County uses part of its taxes to provide services like police patrol. If the City decides to provide its own local police patrol instead, it would take over that responsibility from the County. The tax differential simply shifts the portion of existing tax dollars that pay for patrol services—from the County to the City. It does not increase the total tax bill for residents. Instead, residents would pay a little less to the County and a little more to the City, and those same dollars (tax differential) would fund a dedicated College Park police department focused directly on the community.

Since the 2018 study about establishing a municipal police department, the City’s tax base has grown significantly, leading to a larger police tax differential paid to the County. The PGPD patrol tax differential has increased from about $3 million in FY2018 to approximately $4 million in FY2027. Over the same period, the City’s Contract Police Program budget has grown from about $1.3 million in FY2018 to roughly $2.2 million in FY2027. Together, these two funding streams represent about $1.9 million more in annual public safety capacity than in FY2018. Since FY2018, College Park’s combined public safety funding has grown to a level that now closely matches the estimated cost of operating a full-service municipal police department. That added fiscal capacity could potentially support the operation of a small- to mid-sized municipal police department without requiring an increase in the City’s property tax rate.

Table 1: Growth in Fiscal Capacity to RUN A FULL-SERVICE Police DEPARTMENT

In FY2018, the estimated budget for a full-service police department was $5.6 million; only $4.3 million was available at that time. Thus, the available funding fell short by about $1.3 million in 2018, but by FY2027, the City’s fiscal capacity is increased by $1.9 million – from $4.3 million to $6.2 million – a 44% increase.

Reason 2: Increase in Expenses:
Though the fiscal capacity increased significantly from FY2018 to FY2027, the cost of services and goods also increased due to inflation. These include increases in wages, benefits, equipment, vehicles, fuel, technology, and compliance-related costs, hiring bonuses, specialized public safety retirement plans (LEOPS at 39.56% vs. EPS at 20%), increased liability insurance and workers’ compensation premiums, issuance of take-home vehicles, increasing fuel costs, enhanced pay and benefit packages, including base pay, differential pay, overtime, specialized unit, compensation, uniforms, and training.

Reason 3: Finding Level of Services Provided by the PGPD Patrol Service
The 2018 study did not quite quantify the amount of services provided by the PGPD patrol services. This is the services we get in exchange of taxes we pay to the county, otherwise by the tax differential amount – $4 million in FY 2027. It’s important to find out if this amount of PGPD services correspond to the taxes our residents pay to the county.

For patrol services, PGPD officers assigned to Beat Areas 6 and 7 provide primary coverage for College Park. Additionally, two Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) officers—one assigned to each beat—provide services such as Police Explorers, the Citizens’ Police Academy, and other community outreach programs. These beats are part of District 1 (Hyattsville), which serves a geographic area extending beyond the City’s municipal boundaries. Beat 7 covers north College Park along with a large portion of Greenbelt and a small section of the Beltsville area. Beat 6 covers south College Park and also includes areas within the Town of University Park and the City of Riverdale Park, extending east of Kenilworth Avenue.
Since the areas outside of College Park have their own police departments, PGPD beat and COPS officers do not actively serve those jurisdictions; however, they do spend time coordinating with the respective municipal police departments on incidents originating within those portions of Beat 6 and 7.

In a typical 24-hour period, four PGPD beat officers cover the two beat areas serving College Park through two 12-hour shifts. The two COPS officers work one 10-hour shift, four days a week. In total, these officers collectively provide approximately 416 officer-hours of service over a week period. This is equivalent to roughly seven officers working standard 8-hour shifts in a single day.
When a small proportion of investigative support is considered—based on national benchmarks by Department of Justice, indicating that approximately 8%–12% of sworn officers are assigned to investigative functions—the overall level of service increases to approximately eight officers working standard 8-hour shifts. Because these officers patrol areas larger than the City of College Park and are assigned throughout the broader District 1 area, the actual time dedicated exclusively to the City is likely somewhat less than these equivalents.

If the above analysis holds true, receiving roughly 2 patrol beat officers, 2 COPS officers and a small investigation service for $4 million does not represent a strong level of service. A police study should look into this and find correct level of series we’re receiving currently.

Reason 4: Evaluating Cost Efficiency of PGPD Patrol Service:
The PGPD patrol service, appears to be not a financially efficient model for the City. According to the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD), patrol resources are allocated based on call volume—not on the amount of tax differential paid by City residents and businesses. Over the years, College Park has experienced significant economic growth. From FY2018 to FY2027, the City’s tax base—the total value of all taxable property—has increased by approximately 75%, rising from about $2.4 billion in FY2018 to $4.2 billion in FY2027 (Figure 1).

This economic growth has outpaced inflation and increases in labor costs in many areas, creating additional fiscal capacity. The growth in the tax base is also reflected in the tax differential that College Park residents and businesses pay to Prince George’s County for primary police services provided by PGPD

Figure 1: Trends in Tax Revenue Differential and PGPD Police Staffing Levels

However, the level of patrol service has remained largely unchanged. A review of more recent data from 2021 through 2025 (Figure 2), based on raw crime statistics published on the City of College Park’s Public Safety webpage , shows that while there was a temporary increase in total crime in 2023—driven primarily by property-related offenses—overall crime levels have since declined and stabilized. Violent crime (murder, rape, robbery, and assault) has remained relatively moderate and has trended downward since 2023, while property (non-violent) crimes (burglary, theft from auto, other theft, and auto theft) account for the majority of incidents and largely explain year-to-year fluctuations. These patterns are consistent with broader trends observed in surrounding communities and nationally. This indicates that the demand for patrol services has remained relatively stable, further highlighting the growing gap between what residents and businesses contribute through the tax differential and the level of patrol services they receive in return.

Figure 2: Recent Crime trend in College Park

Reason 5: Evaluating Sustainability of the Contract Police Program
The City’s Contract Police Program, while valuable for supplementing patrol presence, also raises long-term sustainability concerns. The program began modestly in 2004 with only a few officers and an annual budget of approximately $500,000. Over time, it has expanded significantly to a projected budget of nearly $2.2 million in FY 2027, supporting the equivalent of about 15.5 full-time officers (Figure 3). This staffing level is comparable to the size of entire police departments in several smaller municipalities within Prince George’s County, highlighting the scale of the City’s current investment in a supplemental model rather than a fully dedicated department.

Figure 3: Growth in Contract Police Staffing and Costs Over Time (FY2010–FY2027)

Despite this level of investment, the program has structural limitations. Although the City seeks to maintain continuous coverage, there are still periods within the 24-hour cycle when coverage gaps occur due to the nature of off-duty staffing. Additionally, contract officers typically work in College Park after completing their regular eight-hour shifts with the County, raising reasonable concerns about fatigue and overall efficiency. These factors may affect consistency in service delivery and proactive policing capacity.

Furthermore, the program’s long-term sustainability is uncertain. As Prince George’s County continues to face staffing challenges within its police department, the availability of officers for off-duty contract work may become increasingly constrained. This makes it difficult for the City to rely on expanding or even maintaining the current level of contract policing services in the future. Taken together, these financial, operational, and structural considerations suggest that the current model—relying on both PGPD patrol services and a growing contract police program—may not represent a sustainable or optimal approach for meeting the City’s evolving public safety needs.

Reason 5: Finding a “Better” Police staffing size
The budget for a police department is largely driven by its size. We should aim for a department that provides a higher level of service than we currently receive. Based on the earlier analysis, the level of patrol services appears to be relatively low, so it would be reasonable to target a staffing level that clearly improves upon current PGPD coverage. This approach would allow the City to start with a smaller, more efficient department that remains sustainable over the long term.

Reason 5: Exploring Effect of University of Maryland Police Department
Unlike any other nearby municipality jurisdiction, College Park has a unique policing structure that is significantly influenced by the presence of the University of Maryland. The City has a population of approximately 34,000, but a significant portion—nearly 40%—are University of Maryland students living within the City. Many areas with large student populations, particularly on and around the university campus, are patrolled by the University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD), which has approximately 104 sworn officers.

In addition to policing the campus itself, UMPD also responds to student-related incidents in parts of College Park south of MD-193 (South College Park) under a concurrent jurisdiction arrangement, meaning that both UMPD and the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) may provide law enforcement services in these areas. UMPD does not respond to the north and west College Park, Yarrow, and Estate neighborhoods.

Reason 7: Technology and Training
The updated study should address requirements related to professional training and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Key considerations include:
• Implementation and maintenance of Body-Worn Camera Systems (BWCS), including data storage and
records retention
• Use of dash cameras and less-lethal equipment, such as tasers, with associated training requirements
• Data management, evidence retention, and compliance infrastructure
• Decisions regarding internal versus contracted dispatch and records management systems

One of the most meaningful ways to strengthen trust and understanding between residents and law enforcement is through education and direct engagement. That’s exactly what the Citizens’ Police Academy (CPA) offered by the Prince George’s County Police Department provides—and Class 53 is now open for applications.

This multi-week academy gives residents, business owners, and people who work in Prince George’s County a behind-the-scenes look at how policing actually works. Participants learn directly from PGPD officers and staff about patrol operations, investigations, traffic enforcement, use-of-force policies, crime prevention, and community policing.

📅 Class Schedule at a Glance

• Start Date: Monday, February 23, 2026

• Duration: 13 weeks

• Meeting Frequency: Once a week

• Day & Time: Monday evenings, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

• Location: PGPD Police Plaza, 8801 Police Plaza, Upper Marlboro, MD

All sessions are held in person, allowing for direct interaction, open discussion, and hands-on learning.

What Participants Will Learn

Throughout the 13-week program, participants will hear from command staff and specialized units and explore topics such as:

• Patrol and district operations

• Criminal investigations

• Traffic enforcement and safety

• Police training and use-of-force standards

• Crime prevention strategies

• Community policing and accountability

This is not a recruiting program. It is an educational and dialogue-based experience designed to help residents better understand how PGPD operates and how the community and police can work together more effectively.

Why This Matters

Many residents have questions or concerns about public safety and policing. The Citizens’ Police Academy creates a constructive space to move beyond headlines and social media—replacing assumptions with knowledge, transparency, and personal interaction.

Graduates often say the program gives them a deeper appreciation of police work and equips them to be more informed and engaged community members.

Who Should Apply?

• Prince George’s County residents

• People who work or own businesses in the county

• Civic association leaders and community advocates

• Anyone interested in learning how policing works in practice

Spots are limited, and applications are reviewed by PGPD.

🔗 Learn more and apply here:
https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/police/citizens-police-academy

📣 If you live or work in Prince George’s County—especially in Division 1—I strongly encourage you to apply for Citizens’ Police Academy Class 53. It’s a valuable opportunity to learn, ask questions, and strengthen community–police relationships.

Police officers joining residents in a public safety walk in Hollywood

This week, I sent a letter to County Executive Aisha Braveboy requesting an increase in police patrol services for the City of College Park.

Unlike most municipalities in Prince George’s County, College Park does not have its own police department and instead relies entirely on the County Police Department for patrol and investigative services. According to a recent assessment by the County’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), our residents and businesses contribute the equivalent of $3.9 million annually toward these services. Yet, only two COPS officers and two patrol beat officers (working in 12-hour shifts) are currently assigned exclusively to College Park—far fewer than what our residents are effectively paying for.

Thankfully, the City invests an additional $2 million of its own funds each year to provide supplemental police services, helping to fill this gap. Through this program, the City contracts with off-duty Prince George’s County Police officers, equivalent to nearly 16 full-time officers, to enhance patrol coverage and community policing. However, this supplemental effort does not diminish the need for equitable and consistent police service from the County—services that College Park residents already support through their County taxes.

As our City’s tax base and population continue to grow, it is important that police staffing and patrol coverage increase accordingly to meet community needs. I look forward to working with the County Executive and the Prince George’s County Police Department to ensure our residents receive the level of service and safety they deserve.

📄 Read the full letter here:

The first reason to attend this year’s National Night Out is the opportunity to meet your local police officers. National Night Out provides a welcoming setting to interact with the officers who serve our community every day. You’ll meet members of the College Park contract police, Prince George’s County Police, and University of Maryland Police Departments—all in one place.

This is your chance to ask questions, share concerns, or simply get to know the people behind the badge. Building relationships with law enforcement is key to fostering trust, ensuring public safety, and creating a stronger, more informed community.

More than 16,000 communities nationwide will host National Night Out events on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at College Park Woods Club, 3545 Marlbrough Way, College Park, MD 20740—hoping to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, and neighborhood friends and send a message to criminals letting them know that their neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

This morning, I had the joy of joining our Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) Community Police and many College Park residents for a wonderful community bike ride around beautiful Lake Artemesia.

The event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with neighbors, enjoy nature, and build stronger ties between the community and our local police. The scenic trail around the lake made for the perfect backdrop as we biked together, shared stories, and celebrated the spirit of togetherness.

A heartfelt thank you to the PGPD Community Police for organizing this event and for their continued efforts to build trust and engagement in our neighborhoods. And thank you to all the residents who came out and took part — your presence and energy made it a memorable morning!

Let’s keep finding ways to stay active, connected, and united as a community.

College Park, Maryland, is home to a vibrant and diverse community. As the city continues to grow and develop, ensuring the safety and security of residents is a top priority. However, unlike many cities, College Park does not have its own municipal police department. Instead, a variety of agencies collaborate to provide the necessary law enforcement services. Here’s a look at the current police and law enforcement situation in College Park.

Prince George’s County Police Department: The Primary Provider

The primary agency providing police services to College Park is the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). PGPD covers a wide range of essential services, including:

• 9-1-1 emergency call services
• Investigations
• Patrols in the city
• Community policing services through the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) officers

A significant portion of the property taxes paid by College Park residents goes to Prince George’s County to fund these services, making PGPD the backbone of law enforcement for the city. The department is responsible for responding to emergencies, conducting investigations, and patrolling the streets to ensure the safety of the community.

Contract Police Program: Strengthening Local Law Enforcement

In addition to the services provided by PGPD, College Park has a contract police program designed to enhance law enforcement coverage. This program employs 15.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) officers who are drawn from a pool of over 50 off-duty Prince George’s County Police officers. These officers use PGPD’s cars and radio systems while patrolling the streets of College Park.

Off duty police officers of Prince George’s Police department serve as College Park contract police officers

The city allocates around $1.9 million annually to run this program. The funding mainly comes from public safety-related revenues, such as speed camera revenues, ensuring that residents contribute to the program through fines and fees related to traffic safety. This additional policing layer ensures more officers are available to address issues in the city, providing additional resources to keep neighborhoods safe.

University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD)

Another important factor in College Park’s law enforcement is the presence of the University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD). The university, located within the city, has nearly 100 sworn-in officers who patrol the campus and surrounding areas. These officers are part of a separate police force, but their jurisdiction extends beyond the university’s campus.

Some UMPD officers also patrol the neighborhoods south of MD 193, adjacent to the campus. This collaboration between UMPD and other law enforcement agencies helps maintain safety in the areas that overlap between the university and the city, making sure that both students and residents feel secure.

Other Agencies with Jurisdiction

In addition to PGPD and UMPD, there are several other law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction in College Park. These include:

• WMATA – Metro Transit Police: Overseen by Deputy Chief Stephen Boehm, this agency focuses on public transit safety.
• Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Police (M-NCPPC): Responsible for law enforcement in local parks and other public spaces.
• Maryland State Police: Provides additional support in certain situations across the state.
• Maryland Transit Police (MDTA Police): Once the Purple Line is activated, this agency will also have jurisdiction in College Park, further expanding law enforcement coverage.

The Police Foundation Report: Looking to the Future

In 2017, College Park took proactive steps to assess its policing needs by contracting with the Police Foundation to evaluate its law enforcement situation. The result was a comprehensive report on police services in College Park, finalized in March 2018.

While the report did not recommend establishing a municipal police department at the time, it suggested that the city consider this option in the future as its needs evolve. The city continues to review its law enforcement options, ensuring that it has the best systems in place to meet the needs of its growing population.

You can find the full March 2018 Police Foundation Report here.

Conclusion: A Collaborative Approach to Safety

The law enforcement landscape in College Park is unique, with multiple agencies working together to keep the city safe. From the Prince George’s County Police Department to the University of Maryland Police Department, and various other specialized agencies, College Park benefits from a collaborative approach to policing.

While there is no municipal police department, the city’s commitment to safety is clear. Whether through the services provided by PGPD, the contract police program, or the UMPD’s patrols, College Park has a comprehensive system designed to address the safety needs of its residents. The city’s continued evaluation of its police services ensures that it remains adaptable to the needs of its community, now and in the future.

Stay informed, stay safe, and know that College Park’s law enforcement agencies are working hard to ensure the safety of everyone who calls this city home.