ABOUT THE TAKOMA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT The TPPD is a full service police agency of sworn officers, full time civilians, and crossing guards. Chief Ronald Ricucci was sworn in as Chief of Police in February 20, 2007. Captain Edward Coursey is Deputy Chief of Police.

The department is divided into three divisions: Patrol, Support Services, and Administrative. The Patrol Division is commanded by Lt. Richard Cipperly, and is divided into four squads each led by a Sergeant. Two K-9 officers are assigned to this division. This unit provides service through responding to calls, preventative patrol, traffic enforcement and involvement in other community oriented policing functions. Officers are assigned to permanent beats, with responsibility to provide many crime prevention services to their areas, as well as more traditional services. Some of the officers are also trained in Bike Patrol tactics. A Recruiting team currently is led by Ofc. Paula Gaskin. Under Chief Ricucci, the department is undergoing restructure which will be announced in the near future.

The Support Services Division, currently commanded by A/Lt. Tyrone Collington, includes the Criminal Investigations Section, as well as other special assignment personnel. In the investigations section there are three Detectives, one assigned to cover each of the City's sectors. Working with them is a full time Victim Assistance Coordinator, who arranges help for victims and witnesses to crimes. The investigators work on cases ranging from runaways to homicides. Many Part One Offenses, including burglaries, robberies, aggravated assaults, sex offenses, and auto thefts, are followed in order to identify and arrest perpetrators. They review reports of almost all incidents occurring within their beat, looking for trends or crime patterns. Additionally, the unit is responsible for gathering and tracking intelligence on many problems such as gangs, prostitution, drugs, and other vice crimes.

The Administrative Services Division, directed by Ms. Denise Pullet, consists of five full time civilian employees who handle records keeping functions, property control, logistical support, parking citation, and payroll duties for the Department, amongst many other duties. They handle the parking permit program, auctions of impounded property, provide fingerprinting services, and copies of police reports. They also conduct NCIC validations and are responsible for maintaining the department's computer systems. Six Communications Dispatchers who are civilian employees are supervised through this Division.

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