The Bel Air Police Department (BAPD) is a full-service agency servicing the incorporated Municipality of Bel Air, Maryland. The department is located in the Harford county seat of Bel Air at 39 North Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, Maryland 21014. BAPD is Bel Air's primary law enforcement agency which was established in 1874.[2]

Bel Air Police Department
Bel Air Police Patch
Bel Air Police Patch
Shield of the Bel Air Police Department
Shield of the Bel Air Police Department
Common nameBel Air Police Department
AbbreviationBAPD
MottoWe Value and Protect Life and Property
Agency overview
Formed1874; 150 years ago (1874)
Preceding agency
  • Municipal Police
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionBel Air, Maryland, USA
Population10,264 (2014) [1]
Legal jurisdictionIncorporated Bel Air, MD
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters39 N. Hickory Avenue
Agency executives
  • Charles A. Moore, Chief of Police
  • Major David Hughes, Deputy Chief
Website
BAPD official site: www.belairmd.org/departments/police.asp

Chief

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Charles A. Moore [3] Overseeing the department is Charles Moore, lifelong Harford County resident and former Maryland State Police captain.[7]

Divisions

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The department consists of the following Divisions & Specialized Units:

  • Patrol
  • Criminal Investigations Division
  • Narcotics Task Force*
  • K-9
  • SWAT*
  • Training Division
  • Community / School Policing
  • Honor Guard
  • Communications
  • Records
  • Parking Enforcement
  • Cadet Program
  • Auxiliary Unit
  • Explorer Post #9010

*The Narcotics Task Force & SWAT Team are both multi-jurisdictional and composed of members from the Bel Air Police Department and other local police agencies.

Fleet

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The Bel Air Police Department utilizes a patrol fleet of Chevrolet Impalas, Chevy Trailblazers and Chevy Tahoes. Motorcycle: Harley Davidson Electra Glide. Incident Command Vehicle: Ford E350.

In the fall of 2012, the Bel Air Police Department began purchasing Ford Police Interceptors which are now built with the Taurus chassis and body. With the new vehicles, BAPD also changed the color scheme to black with white lettering, different from the traditional white with green stripes.[4]

See picture.

Rank structure and insignia

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To promote within the department, members must perform a written exam and an oral board. Based on scores in both categories, a member will be selected for the open position. The process is similar for lateral positions, i.e. Detective, Community Police Officer, K-9 Handler, etc.[5] Below are sworn personnel ranks used by the Bel Air Police Department. The rank insignia are worn on the collar, or the sleeve just below the department patch. Although not currently in use, the department also recognizes the lieutenant rank.[6]

Title Insignia Duties
Chief
 
Directs Police Department
Deputy Chief (D/C)
 
Patrol & Operations Commander
Lieutenant
 
Intermediate supervisory rank recognized but not actively used
Sergeant (SGT)
 
Specialized Unit / Shift Supervisor
Corporal (CPL)
 
First Line Supervisor
Officer First Class (OFC)
 
Road Patrol / Specialized Units
Detective (DET)
 
Investigates Serious Crime
Officer (OFF)
 
Road Patrol

Website

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The official site of the BAPD: www.belairmd.org/departments/police.asp

References

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  1. ^ 2010 United States Census Archived March 20, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Bel Air Police Department, Departments - Police Archived July 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ USACOPS – Bel Air MD
  4. ^ Baltimoresun.com - New Bel Air police cars hit the streets
  5. ^ Bel Air Police Department, Departments - Police Archived July 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "PROMOTIONAL PROCESS". www.belairmd.org. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
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39°32′19.69″N 76°20′53.76″W / 39.5388028°N 76.3482667°W / 39.5388028; -76.3482667