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.