Ocean City Police Department to Receive Funding Boost

Town officials prioritize public safety with increased budget for salaries, equipment, and staffing

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:19pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of an Ocean City police cruiser parked on a quiet street, the vehicle bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, capturing a sense of tranquility and civic duty.The increased funding for the Ocean City Police Department will allow the department to modernize its equipment and technology, bolstering public safety efforts in the coastal resort town.Ocean City Today

The Ocean City Police Department is set to receive a significant funding increase in the upcoming budget, with a focus on boosting salaries and benefits, acquiring new technology like body cameras, and adding two additional officer positions. Town officials have made public safety a top priority, citing the need to stay current with the latest law enforcement tools and resources to best serve the community.

Why it matters

This funding increase for the Ocean City Police Department reflects the town's commitment to supporting its law enforcement agency and ensuring it has the necessary resources to maintain public safety. In a coastal resort community like Ocean City, which sees a significant influx of visitors during the summer months, having a well-equipped and properly staffed police force is crucial for managing crowds, responding to emergencies, and deterring crime.

The details

The proposed budget includes a roughly $3 million increase for the Ocean City Police Department, with $1.7 million earmarked specifically for salary and benefits. This increase is partly due to a collective bargaining agreement reached last year between the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10 and the Town of Ocean City, which aims to aid in recruiting and retaining officers. The remaining funding will go towards acquiring new body cameras, other equipment, and adding two additional police positions.

  • The Ocean City budget discussions are currently underway for the upcoming fiscal year.
  • The collective bargaining agreement with the FOP Lodge 10 was reached last year.

The players

Terry McGean

The City Manager of Ocean City, Maryland, who emphasized that public safety is a top priority in the budget discussions.

Ashley Miller

The Deputy Communications Manager for the Town of Ocean City, who provided details on the proposed funding increase for the police department.

FOP Lodge 10

The local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police that negotiated a collective bargaining agreement with the Town of Ocean City last year, which is helping to fund the police department's salary and benefits increases.

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What they’re saying

“The good news is we are able to lower our tax rate by a penny, and even while doing that, we have increased our budget for public safety.”

— Terry McGean, City Manager

“We will see roughly a $3 million increase in our proposed budget. We can break that down into 2 separate categories, one of them being specifically salary and benefits, we are seeing roughly a 1.7 million dollar increase.”

— Ashley Miller, Deputy Communications Manager

“The police department will be adding two additional positions, there is some additional funding for our body cameras and city watch system, and funding for overtime in the summer season.”

— Terry McGean, City Manager

“Make sure we have the best technology and the most up to date technology to meet our body worn cameras and other technological advancements that will help keep the community safe.”

— Ashley Miller, Deputy Communications Manager

What’s next

The Ocean City Council will continue budget discussions and vote on the final budget proposal in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This funding boost for the Ocean City Police Department demonstrates the town's commitment to public safety and its recognition of the importance of equipping law enforcement with the latest tools and resources to effectively serve the community, especially during the busy summer tourist season.