Berlin Police Chief Retires after 34 Years of Service

BERLIN, Md. – The Town of Berlin has announced the retirement of Chief of Police Arnold Downing after over three decades of service to the Berlin Police Department (BPD).

Downing began his career with BPD on Aug. 26, 1991 before being appointed Acting Chief of Police on Feb. 17, 2000. He was officially appointed Chief of Police on Dec. 1, 2002, becoming both the first African American administrator and the first African American Chief of Police in the department’s history.

“I’m proud of the advocacy work for abused and neglected children in Worcester County that I have been allowed to assist in accomplishing,” Chief Downing said in a statement, reflecting on his career. “The development of a community policing approach that fostered partnerships and mutual respect was highlighted annually with the Tri-County’s best National Night Out. I am also proud to have assisted with obtaining a crosswalk at US Route 113 and Bay Street and helping to change the light sequence to create a safer intersection.”

Throughout his career, Chief Downing championed the development of specialized units within the BPD. Under his leadership, the department strengthened its operational capacity through SWAT, which completed more than 50 successful missions. The department was also able to expand their resources to include five K9 units and a drone, amongst other amenities.

Chief Downing also advocated for enhanced officer benefits, including enrollment in the Law Enforcement Officer Pension System, the Take-Home Car Program, specialized pay for technical and investigative roles, and additional pay incentives such as shift differential, inclement weather pay, special holiday pay, and compensation for fluency in Spanish.

“Chief Arnold Downing has dedicated his career to protecting and uplifting the people of Berlin. His commitment to community-centered policing, officer wellness, youth advocacy, and public safety has left a lasting mark on our town,” said Mayor Zack Tyndall. “We are a stronger, safer, and more connected community because of his leadership. On behalf of the Town of Berlin, I want to express our deepest appreciation for Chief Downing’s decades of service and his unwavering dedication to our citizens and officers. We wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.”