Baltimore Police Department

The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) provides police services to the City of Baltimore, Maryland and was originally organized in 1784 as a "nightwatch" and a force of day "Constables". It was reorganized by mayor of Baltimore Thomas Swann in 1857, and officially established by the Maryland Legislature on March 16 1853. It is the eighth largest police force in the US and is organized into ten districts, nine based on geographical areas and the Public Housing Section, and is responsible for policing of land and of waterways. The department is sometimes referred to as the Baltimore City Police Department to distinguish itself from the Baltimore County Police Department.