Ocean City Police Department (Maryland)
# Ocean City Police Department (Maryland)

The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) is a full-time-service law enforcement agency providing police services to a population of 7,031 people within 36.4 square miles (94 $km^2)$ of the municipality of Ocean City, MD.

## History

The OCPD began its tenure in the summer of 1898 with the appointment of a single officer, Cyrus Purnell. In 1900, the mayor and town council approved the expansion of the department to include two more officers and the appointment of Purnell to the position of chief of police. Because of its summertime population swell, the OCPD historically has hired summertime police to supplement its full-time force. In 1965, with the professionalization of the department, the town's officers were attending an officially sanctioned "police academy." This "academy" had officers attending formal classes twice weekly for three weeks which totaled 18 hours of instruction. In contrast, today's police recruits attend the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy for 24 weeks with a total of over 800 hours of instruction.

## Equipment

Full time officers employed with the Ocean City Police Department carry the SIG Sauer P226 chambered in .40 S&W. Seasonal Officers carry a S&W Model 65 in .357 magnum.

## Organization

The current chief of police is Ross Buzzuro. Apart from traditional duties of 9-1-1 response and traffic enforcement, the OCPD has other specialized units:

* Quick Response Team (SWAT)
* Traffic Safety Unit
* Bike Unit
* K-9 Unit
* Mounted Unit
