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Annapolis police outline staffing, units and community programs to Public Safety Committee
Summary
Acting Chief Amy Miguez and APD command staff gave a broad overview of the department’s history, mission, organizational structure, specialized units and staffing goals, and described plans for expanded training, K9 and marine operations alongside continued CALEA accreditation work.
Acting Chief Amy Miguez told the Annapolis Public Safety Committee on April 15 that the department’s mission is "to protect life and property, prevent and reduce crime, maintain order, and enforce the law within our community while protecting the constitutional rights and dignity of those we serve." The chief and command staff introduced the department’s organization, current staffing and plans to expand specialized capabilities such as SWAT/SEAT, a permanent Motors Unit, an expanded K9 program and a reactivated Marine Unit.
Miguez reviewed department history and milestones, noting the department’s roots in 1867, the transition to a dedicated headquarters in 1973 and CALEA accreditation dating to 2004. She described an organizational chart that embeds professional standards, internal affairs and a body-worn camera unit under the chief’s office and stressed that CALEA’s four‑year cycle includes a public-facing on‑site inspection.
Captain Guy Thacker outlined patrol structure and special teams: four patrol squads (two day, two night) with 12 officers per squad and eight supervisors; a Traffic Safety Unit and Motors capability; a Crisis Intervention Team for mental‑health responses; a Special Enforcement Action Team (SEAT) focused on violent recidivists; crash‑reconstruction investigators; and neighborhood stabilization work by a Neighborhood Enforcement Team. Thacker said the Marine Unit is back in service after mechanical repairs and that the department has trained 12 officers for water deployments.
Presenters gave concrete staffing and training details: patrol achieved full staffing recently through lateral hires and academy pipelines, the department plans additional flexible supervision positions and wants to grow its SWAT team toward a 19‑person Tier 2 goal. APD also described training investments — mountain‑bike certification, quarterly firearms and simunition exercises, conversion to Glock 45 handguns and rollout of taser 10 devices — while noting training budgets are constrained.
Speakers described community programs that aim to build trust: a reentry program run by Officer Rob Horn that provides vocational training and post‑release support, community outreach events (DARE, fishing, movie nights) and partnerships with local institutions including the Naval Academy. Officials encouraged aldermen to tour the department and attend ride‑alongs to better understand operational demands.
The committee asked about next steps: staff said a strategic plan is planned but not in the FY27 budget request and suggested potential Department of Justice grant support for consultant work. The committee asked for follow‑up on crime statistics and a June briefing on the reentry program and complaint data. The hearing adjourned after motions to close the session.
