OPPD welcomes new officer

(April 22, 2024) The Ocean Pines Police Department on Saturday welcomed its newest officer, Freddie Howard, during a swearing-in ceremony at the Ocean Pines Clubhouse.

Ocean Pines Association President Rick Farr conducted the ceremony during a regular Board meeting that included many of Howard’s family members in the audience.

"This is something new and something that is going to be a tradition in Ocean Pines,” Farr said. “We are delighted, as a Board, to be able to do this and have the swearing in ... and have Mr. Howard take the oath of office.”

Ocean Pines Police Chief Tim Robinson said Howard comes to Ocean Pines following a distinguished 25-year career with the Ocean City Police Department.

According to a Town of Ocean City release, Howard served as a seasonal police officer for three years before becoming a full-time officer with the Hurlock Police Department in 1997. He returned to the Ocean City Police Department as a full-time officer in August of 1999.

During his two-decade-plus career in Ocean City, Howard worked as a K-9 handler, domestic violence investigator, and police recruitment member. Howard received the Excellent Police Performance Award in 2002. The following year, he received the Meritorious Service Award and the Worcester County Commissioners Award, and in 2005 Howard was named the Neighborhood Watch Police Officer of the Year. Howard also received the Excellent Police Performance Award in 2018.

Also during the meeting on Saturday, Robinson said the Police Department was in the process of reviewing signage in the community, including median strip signs.

"They're at every single crossover," Robinson said. "They seem to be a little bit superfluous ... so we are going to be cutting back on those signs."

Robinson said removal of some of the signs would help with beautification efforts along Ocean Parkway.

He also asked motorists to not block traffic crossovers, especially during times when traffic is backed up.

"If traffic is backed up for whatever reason, try to make sure you keep those crossovers open so people can get through there," he said.

For more information on the Ocean Pines Police Department, visit www.oceanpinespolice.com.