Community Police
The Oakland Mills Community Police office was established to provide Oakland Mills residents and merchants with the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with a police officer dedicated to Oakland Mills. The Howard County Police Department utilizes community policing offices throughout the county as part of the community-oriented policing philosophy that emphasizes cooperation between police and community members and problem solving. Howard County officers who also patrol the Oakland Mills community regularly utilize the community policing office to meet with residents and conduct police business. Although the office is not staffed 24 hours a day, residents can expect to see police in the office during days, evenings and weekends. Currently HCPD Officer Matthew Paul is assigned to Oakland Mills and is available as a resource to community members. Residents are encouraged to discuss issues with Officer Paul; however, they will need to contact him first as his schedule varies. Officer Paul’s contact information is listed below. Please note that in case of an emergency call 911 and not the Oakland Mills Police Office.
Oakland Mills Community Policing Office
5820 Robert Oliver Place
Columbia, MD 21045
www.hcpd.org
Oakland Mills Neighborhood Community Resource Officer
PFC Matthew Paul
mpaul@howardcountymd.gov
Office: 410-313-2614
Note: In case of an emergency, do not call the community policing office. Call 911.
Online reporting of a non-emergency crime or other issue
Alerts
To help prevent residential break-ins throughout the county, it is important that we REPORT any suspicious activity and any concerns immediately to the Howard County Police. Suspicious activity or signs of warning to alert police about include, but are not limited, to the following:
- If someone knocks on your door it is always smart not to answer unless it is someone that you know, if however, someone appears at your door and says they have the wrong house…alert police
- If there is an unusual car driving around/parked by your house…alert police
- If something makes your “hair stand up”…alert police
Important Tips
- If you are away, make sure your home looks as if you were there.
- Don’t let newspapers or door hangers gather.
- Know your neighbors and look out for one another.
- Keep your doors/windows/garage doors locked.
- Survey your home in the evening and see if there is adequate lighting on all sides.
- Be aware and report suspicious activity.