Bowie police outline hiring push, rising traffic enforcement and speed-camera policy

Bowie Police Chief Wayne Preston told residents at the city’s Community Matters meeting that the department is pursuing a hiring push, expanding enforcement and using targeted traffic cameras to reduce collisions.

Preston said Bowie is authorized for 75 sworn officers in the FY27 budget, an increase from 70, and that the department currently has 66 officers, leaving nine vacancies. He said the city received a Department of Justice COPS grant to add five positions focused on quality-of-life issues and that recruits will train at the Prince George’s County Police Academy.

The chief front‑loaded enforcement numbers in his presentation: from January–May 2025 Bowie officers conducted about 1,449 traffic stops; in the same months of 2026 they conducted 1,929. Citations rose from 509 to 856, and reported DUI arrests increased from 11 to 33. Preston also said warrant- and equipment‑repair contacts rose and that reported crashes increased from 119 to 206 year‑to‑date despite higher enforcement.

Preston described Bowie’s speed‑camera program as safety‑driven, not revenue‑driven. He said approved camera locations are published on the police website, the city pays a flat vendor fee (about $3,450 per camera per month), and cameras issue violations for vehicles traveling 12 miles per hour over the posted limit. He said the city deploys 12 active cameras on a rotating set of roughly 33 approved sites and publicizes deployments in advance.

On recruitment, Preston said the city offers a $1,000 referral payment if a referred candidate is hired and named a $20,000 signing bonus (paid over two years) for certified lateral officers and $15,000 for entry‑level recruits. He highlighted tuition‑reimbursement benefits and other incentives intended to attract candidates from the community.

During a resident Q&A, Preston identified property crime and speed‑related collisions as top operational concerns and said the department has reconstituted a directed‑response team to focus on long‑term problem areas. He said the city intends to stand up a dedicated traffic unit as staffing allows and emphasized that some enforcement gains will take weeks to appear because recruits require academy training.

The chief urged residents to report suspicious activity, share surveillance video via evidence@cityof.org and participate in the city’s camera‑rebate program (up to $50 with proof of purchase and installation). He also encouraged use of Bowie’s non‑emergency number for non‑urgent service so 911 stays available for life‑threatening incidents.

Next steps: Preston said the department aims to fill vacancies before the end of the calendar year and continue rotating speed‑camera deployments while increasing proactive traffic enforcement as staffing increases.