35-Year Veteran of Baltimore County Police Sworn in as New Chief

Robert McCullough receives unanimous approval from Baltimore County Council for appointment to Police Chief.

Monday night the Baltimore County Council voted 7-0 to approve County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s nomination to Chief of Police. Robert McCullough, now Chief McCollough, was sworn in on Tuesday following the Monday council meeting.

“Some would say the chance for someone who looked like me, an 18-year-old kid from West Baltimore, to become chief of police in Baltimore County, was less than zero,” McCullough said. “At that time there were fewer than 80 African American officers in the department. I remember when I was the only African American on my shift. That reality always motivated me to be the best that I could be at everything that I did.”

McCollough was a retired 35-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department before being called back to duty by CE Olszewski. He originally joined the force as a cadet and has lived in Baltimore County for more than 30 years. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science and a Master’s of Science in Management from Johns Hopkins University. His formal education also includes Johns Hopkins University’s Police Executive Leadership Program and Northwestern University Center for Public Safety’s School of Police Staff and Command. Chief McCollough will replace Melissa Hyatt.