The department is headed by the Chief of Police who is directly accountable to the City Administrator. The Chief of Police is the primary administrator for the Hagerstown Police Department. The Chief has the authority to manage and supervise the activities and personnel of the Department, establish objectives and standards for the performance of work, and administer the operations of the Police Department in an efficient manner for the effective providing of services.

The organizational subdivisions within the personal span of control of the Chief of Police are:

• Administrative Secretary
• Support Services
• Operations Division
• Planning and Research
• Computer Research and Development
• Narcotics Task Force
  (NTF Board of Directors, including the Chief, administers this function.)