New Acting Police Chief Named For Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Acting Colonel Antonio Thomas has been named the new acting police chief of the Howard County Police Department, becoming the second acting chief in less than three months.

The appointment was made Monday by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. Thomas replaced Maj. Terrence Benn under a local charter provision that limits acting department heads to 60 days, according to the HCPD.

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On June 1, Benn officially assumed the role of acting police chief after HCPD Chief Gregory Der retired, Patch reported previously. At that time, Thomas was appointed acting colonel following the retirement of Colonel Gary McLhinney.

The Howard County Charter allows the county executive to designate an acting head of any department until a successor is appointed, but the acting head may not serve for more than 60 days. The county council can, however, extend any acting head's appointment for an additional four months.

A news conference was held in May to introduce Benn, but not Thomas. Ball's office said in May when Benn was appointed that the next county executive could name a full-time police chief. Ball's term ends in December.

According to the police department's website, Thomas is a law enforcement executive with 20 years of experience in public safety. Prior to becoming acting chief, he served in various leadership roles, including as Acting Colonel, Commander of the Quality Assurance Division, the Information and Technology Bureau, and the Professional Standards Bureau, Recruitment and Communications Supervisor.

In his most recent role, Thomas oversaw the deputy chiefs and performed advanced administrative and operational police work, with a focus on staffing, technology and organizational effectiveness, the police department said. Thomas holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus.

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