The Town of La Plata is pleased to announce the hiring of Carl Schinner whom we will welcome on November 12 as our new Chief of Police following the retirement of Casey Gittings in June.

Councilman Joe Norris says, “I am happy to welcome Chief Schinner. With his background and experience he will be a welcome addition to our department. Chief Gittings led our department to make great strides and improvements to service and I am confident that Chief Schinner will do the same.” Mr. Schinner’s entire municipal law enforcement career was with the City of Greenbelt where he retired in September after having served over 26 years.

He began as a police officer and worked his way up through the ranks to be Patrol Division Commander. As Patrol Division Commander he provided leadership to thirty-two sworn officers assigned to patrol operations, managed and oversaw nine dispatchers assigned to the communications functions, and routinely served as acting Chief of Police in the absence of Greenbelt’s Chief.

As Police Chief for the Town of La Plata, Chief Schinner will lead a growing department of sixteen sworn officers and one civilian employee while managing an annual budget of over $1.6 million. Members of La Plata’s current force come from a varying array of backgrounds including former police officers of Charles County, Prince Georges County, the Metropolitan Police department, Department of Natural Resources officers, and new officers that went through the Academy and came right to La Plata.

“I believe that Carl will bring fresh ideas to our outstanding Police force”, expressed Councilman Lynn Gilroy. Councilman Wayne Winkler stated, “I look forward to working with Chief Schinner. I believe Chief Gittings, and his department did a great job by working well with the County and State Police and believe the new Chief will as well. Coming from a larger Police Department he should be a big help to La Plata as we grow in the future.”

The La Plata Police Department performs patrol, investigations, emergency management, and most other police functions. In La Plata, the Police Department, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, and Maryland State Police support and back each of the other agencies. Lt. Wathen, Acting Chief, said “He and the officers of the La Plata Police Department welcome Chief Schinner to the department. We look forward to working with Chief Schinner utilizing his experience, knowledge and professionalism to develop and implement new initiatives as we move our department forward”.

La Plata has just under 9,000 residents, and it serves as the County Seat for Charles County. With many businesses in La Plata, the community is an employment center for the region and is a common destination for many in the area. The Town has been moving toward more community-oriented policing with an emphasis on greater visibility. Councilman Keith Back feels, “Carl’s experience on a larger force will provide a new perspective as we move forward”.

Mr. Schinner is also an Accreditation Assessor for the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). As an Assessor he is tasked with reviewing accreditation files to ensure CALEA candidate agencies meet law enforcement best practices, participate in candidate agency public hearings, and prepare detailed reports that are reviewed by the candidate agency and CALEA commissioners.

Mayor Roy Hale believes, “With Chief Schinner’s expertise in evaluating the best Police agencies across this country, he not only brings experience from a Maryland municipality, but the best practices from the entire nation. This experience will s