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COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING PROGRAMS OF THE TPPD
Officers as Agents of the Landlord Program
Traffic Complaint Hotline Program
Officers as Agents of the Landlord Program
In 1997 the Department instituted a program in which landlords can contractually agree to allow police officers to act as agents for the purpose of enforcing trespassing laws. This allows the police department to warn and remove individuals from properties that they do not reside at and at which they are causing disturbances. If the individuals return, they are subject to arrest for violation of trespassing laws, without the need to rely on the landlord having to appear in court.
This is a program that is copied from various area programs including one in use by the Montgomery County Police, and the Greenbelt City Police. It is a highly useful tool in combating chronic disorderly behavior, drug offenses, and other nuisance violations that tend to center around apartment complexes and other business areas.
The way that it works is that first a contract is signed between the Chief of Police and the landlord/property owner (restricted to apartment complexes and business areas only). Signs can then be put up that warn potential offenders of this program. If an officer responds to a call or otherwise observes disorderly behavior, by a non resident, on the property under contract, he/she can order the individual to leave and "post" the individual for trespassing (advising the person that they may not return to the property, and if they do they are subject to arrest). A record is kept by the police department of these postings that can be accessed through the dispatcher by other officers who may subsequently come in contact with the individual should he/she return to the property. Any questions on this program can be forwarded to the office of Chief Ronald A. Ricucci, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912.
Traffic Complaint Hotline Program
Have you ever seen another motorist do something extremely dangerous or reckless and there wasn't a police officer nearby to take action? For most traffic offenses, the police can not issue a citation if the violation is not observed by the officer. But this program allows you to report the tag number of violators you observe, while in the Takoma Park City only, and the Department will forward a warning letter to the vehicle's owner. What good does this do, you might ask? Many times people who are driving inappropriately are not the registered owners of the vehicles. The vehicle may be owned by a parent, friend or rental company who may be able to impact on the dangerous driving behavior through sanctions other than the courts. Also, merely knowing that someone observed the dangerous driving incident and was able to report it to the authorities who identified the responsible party is sometimes an effective deterrent to future similar behavior.
To report such a motorist, please leave the tag number, date, time location, and brief description of the dangerous driving behavior on the following recorded line: 301.891.7101 x5655. Questions about this program can be forwarded to Chief Ronald A. Ricucci, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912
The department allows interested City residents, students, members of the media, and other interested persons to ride along with a police officer on routine duty. Many people find this educational experience. Apply in person, at least two weeks in advance to the Administrative Services window in the Police Department lobby, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM weekdays, or at the dispatch window at all other times. Applicants will need to present a driver's license, MVA I.D. card, or birth certificate in order to process the application. Detailed rules of the program will be supplied when you obtain the application form. For further information on this program please call Capt. Ed Coursey, Operations Commander at 301.891.7105.
The Department held sessions of the Citizen's Police Academy in the Spring of 1998 and 1999. The course of instruction includes topics such as Use of Force, Firearms familiarization, DWI Enforcement, Domestic Violence, Narcotics Enforcement, Major Crimes Investigations, Crime Prevention and much more. No sessions are scheduled currently.
This course does not seek to teach participants to conduct the activities, but rather to familiarize citizens with the complexity of police training and tactics, to foster a better understanding between the police and the community. Classes are advertised in the City Newsletter, or interested people can call D/Cpl Andrew John, Police Information Officer at 301.891.7148. This program is currently limited to City of Takoma Park residents or people employed in the City of Takoma Park only.
Community-oriented policing (COP) has been a hallmark of law enforcement in the City of Takoma Park since its inception. Councilmembers were deputized as bailiffs early in the 1900's. In the 1950"s citizens acted as "special officers" and Takoma Park Police Department (TPPD) officers conducted house checks.
COP is being redefined in the city, with an emphasis on problem solving and partnerships among the police, other city agencies, residents, businesses, and other community organizations.
The city has been divided into three sectors, each with three beats, and every officer is associated with a beat, responsible for knowing and responding to the concerns of these beats. The borders of the nine beats were designed to avoid dividing traditional neighborhood associations. In 2004, a unit dedicated to COP was organized and became operational, with a Sector Specialist identified for each sector. Residents may call Communications Dispatch or the COP Team to identify their own sector.
Almost every program of the Department relates ro the COP philosophy of partnership and problem solving for improved public safety. For an up-close and personal experience, take a Ride-Along with your best officer.
The COP Team works directly with Neighborhood Safety Contacts, businesses, and others on a variety of safety and crime safety concerns to solve or remedy issues in a cooperative manner.
COP is not police walking foot patrol or biking; it is a philosophy and practice that brings all members of the community together in partnership to address crime and safety problems.
The COP Team develops programs to promote a law-abiding lifestyle to youth and works directly with young people and their families involved with the criminal justice system. Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) training is offered in the City's public and private schools.
The Nuisance Abatement Specialist, a civilian member of the COP Team, works on noise issues, animal control and parking enforcement.
Takoma Park Police Department 301.270.1100
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