Wosch doubled the staff in 1935 paying Edgar Russel Moxley from his own earnings as an assistant.

Counter-insurrection training was added in 1965, and the Howard County Interracial Commission recommended hiring of African American officers to reduce countywide racial tensions in 1967.

[15] In 1971, the force increased to 68 with six day weeks implemented to handle crime sprees in the Columbia development.

[19] James N. Robey was appointed Chief of the 295 officer force by Charles I. Ecker replacing Frederick W. Chaney in 1991.

[24] Lisa Myers was appointed Chief by County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball on February 13, 2019.

The agency has the following sections:[27] The Howard County Police Department operates as a military organization using these sworn personnel ranks: