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The City of Takoma Park Police Department has evolved from a single bailiff, hired shortly after the City was incorporated in 1890, to today's highly trained, urban police force. The Department includes budget allocations for 42 officers and 16 civilian employees. A Chief of Police directs the Department with assistance from his Deputy Chief and Command Staff. The Department became nationally accredited in July of 1991.

During Takoma Park's history, the policing style has periodically changed. Many factors influence how the Department performs its duties, such as crime rates, social conditions, differences in the Chiefs' philosophies and political pressures.

Residents of the City feel that the Takoma Park Police Department currently performs primarily patrolling and post-crime interdiction. They also recognize that the Department has some crime prevention programs, such as citizen education, environmental changes (e.g., enhanced street lighting) and citizen outreach programs.

Takoma Park is a high-density community, located in a large urban area. Residents perceive the City, however, as a small town, because of its environmental qualities and the residents' rural attitude. This is reflected in the City's policing. Residents expect and receive rapid (under 5-minute) response to calls and personal coverage of minor offenses, such as neighbor disputes and animal disturbances.

During 1990 the City of Takoma Park completed a survey of the people arrested in the City. The analysis showed whether they were Takoma Park residents or residents of neighboring jurisdictions. At that time, approximately 50% of all arrests were Takoma Park citizens. Another survey in 1996 showed that only about 40% of those arrested in Takoma Park lived in the City.

This information is important because it illustrates that Takoma Park experiences crossover crime at an alarming rate.

During the winter of 1997, the Takoma Park Police tried a different approach to reducing this inter-jurisdictional crime. In response to an increase in crime, a multi-force police effort called Operation Linkage was launched.

Takoma Park took the lead and organized the City's first major operation involving police officers from the State of Maryland; Montgomery County; Park Police; Prince George's County; Washington, DC; Washington Metro; and Takoma Park Police Departments. These organizations coordinated their patrols and increased their visibility.

Operation Linkage focused on areas just outside of Takoma Park that the City identified as threats to our community's safety. These problem neighborhoods included areas around: Quebec Terrace; Between the Creeks near Flower and Piney Branch Roads; the 14^th Street area in Langley Park; Chillum; Takoma, DC; and Red Top Road.

For three to four weeks, all departments focused on their respective part of the operation. By the end of the operation there were 68 drug arrests, 6 guns recovered, 1,318 grams of marijuana, and approximately 540 grams of cocaine seized. The arrests were made in Takoma Park and the target areas just outside of the City. The success of this very short initiative highlights the benefit of joint cooperation with surrounding jurisdictions.