New Acting Police Chief, Colonel Announced

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Howard County Police Department's new acting chief has been announced.

Terrence Benn steps into the role after HCPD Chief Gregory Der retired.

“Howard County Government is grateful to have incredible leaders who work tirelessly to ensure Howard County maintains the best quality of life for all and who strive to keep our community safe, our officers safe and their families safe,” Ball said during a news conference. “To his new role, Acting Chief Benn brings what this moment requires: experience, leadership and a true commitment to community policing. I am confident in his ability to lead this department forward and continue to make progress on the legacy laid before us.”

Benn started his career as a police officer in Baltimore City and Atlanta, Georgia, served his country in the United States Marine Corps, and has spent nearly 20 years building his career with HCPD. Throughout the past two decades, he has risen through the ranks to serve in command positions across all four commands of HCPD. Most recently, he served as deputy chief for special operations, overseeing both the department’s Special Operations Bureau and the Community Services Bureau.

“I first want to thank County Executive Ball for his confidence in me to serve as acting chief, and to Chief Der for his leadership and guidance the last three years I have served as deputy chief. I have had the privilege of serving in leadership roles across every command in my nearly 20 years of service, and I am excited to guide this department as it continues to grow and evolve.

"To the more than 700 employees and volunteers at the Howard County Police Department: My commitment is to lead with honesty, advocate for the resources and support you need, and ensure that at the end of every shift, you know your work has made a difference,” Benn said.

“To the residents of Howard County: We will continue to deepen our relationships with you and be transparent, accountable, and responsive to your concerns. Every one of you deserves to feel safe, and we will work every day to earn and maintain that trust," Benn continued.

As Acting Chief, Benn plans to launch his strategic plan, comprised of operational priorities, programmatic initiatives and enforcement strategies all designed to "strengthen public safety, community trust and departmental effectiveness."

Ball also announced the appointment Antonio Thomas as acting colonel following the retirement of Colonel Gary McLhinney. Acting Colonel Thomas has served HCPD for 20 years, most recently as captain, and taken on particularly challenging roles including overseeing the department’s professional standards, information technology and quality assurance.

“I am honored to step into this role as colonel alongside Acting Chief Benn, and I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by the leadership of this department and this county. I am proud of what this department has built in my 20 years here and I look forward to continuing to serve with every officer and civilian in this agency. Along with Acting Chief Benn, I will advocate at every level for what I consider the foundations of this department: staffing and resources. Our officers deserve to go into the field fully prepared, and that will remain a priority under this leadership,” Thomas said.