If the latest news coming out of Baltimore isn’t enough to tell the story of the troubling state of affairs in the area, then the cold, hard data will. The 2020 Maryland Uniform Crime Report published by the Maryland Department of State Police in partnership with the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center (MSAC) showed that in Baltimore alone, 334 murders were committed, reflecting a steady trend since 2016. Between 2019 and 2020, Maryland experienced a 5.5% increase in the number of murders, although other violent crimes fell during this time. For example, robberies fell about 22%.
It can be a tough place to cut your teeth as a new police officer or sheriff’s deputy, but the dedicated men and woman of Maryland’s law enforcement community are working hard to make sure it’s also a tough place to be a criminal. Bringing with them a strong moral code backed up by the best training available, Maryland’s state, county and municipal law enforcement officers work on the front lines to keep communities safe for all law abiding residents.
Jobs and Training Requirements for the Maryland State Police
Since its inception in 1921, the Maryland State Police has been serving the state’s citizens while working in cooperation with local law enforcement officials. This full-service law enforcement agency is organized into three bureaus: Field Operations, Criminal Investigation, and Support Services.
State trooper candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and must be truthful in every stage throughout the application and vetting process. This lengthy process starts with attending an applicant orientation before going on to pass the Functional Fitness Assessment and Police Officer Standardized Test, then sitting for an oral interview, polygraph, background investigation, and medical and psychological evaluations.
Jobs and Training with Sheriff’s Departments in Maryland Counties
Outside the city limits of Baltimore and Maryland’s other larger cities, the county sheriff’s offices are responsible for virtually all law enforcement work. But that doesn’t mean they work exclusively in the suburbs or outlying areas. Since they have a county-wide jurisdiction that overlaps with the municipal police departments in their county, they often partner with and provide back-up for these smaller agencies, as well as provide other functions related to evictions, serving subpoenas and summons, inmate detention and more. All Maryland sheriff’s departments require their entry-level deputies to possess at least a high school diploma or GED equivalency and undergo a rigorous course of training.
Howard County Sheriff’s Office
Since 1851, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office has served local residents, including those in Ellicott City and Columbia. The Department also handles judicial services, domestic incidents, and landlord-tenant issues. Applicants that get through the rigorous vetting process and qualify as recruits go on to complete a course at the highly respected Maryland Police Training Commission Certified Training Academy.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is the foremost law enforcement agency in the county and one of the oldest in the country, with a founding date of 1777. Until the founding of the Maryland State Police, the sheriff’s department was the sole provider of law enforcement in the region, which includes Silver Spring. Qualified applicants go on to become cadets and attend the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy and Field Training Program.
Charles County Sheriff’s Office
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is the principal law enforcement agency in the area, providing patrol services and fulfilling its role to the judiciary branch of government, which includes operating a detention center. Qualified candidates for the sheriff’s deputy position attend training at the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy.
Jobs and Training with Municipal Police Departments in Maryland
The issue of crime in Baltimore doesn’t tell the entire story for the state of Maryland as a whole, but it does tell an important one. City police departments work hard to keep the people and property within their municipal jurisdictions safe, swiftly brining anybody that gets in the way of that to justice.
Baltimore Police Department
The Baltimore Police Department is the eighth largest municipal force in the U.S., with nearly 3,100 sworn officers and support personnel. The officers of the Baltimore PD protect and serve a population of more than 611,000. Police officer recruits complete a 25-week academic course of training, followed by 10 weeks of field training.
Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office provides the same law enforcement services typical of most county sheriff’s offices but is atypical in that is operates as a city-level agency. The BCSO provides support to the judiciary branch of government, serving summons and subpoenas, transporting prisoners, and providing support to other law enforcement agencies.
Frederick Police Department
The Frederick Police Department is supported by a force of 141 sworn officers and 40 civilian employees. Specialized units here include canine operations, community relations, crime analysis, drug enforcement, investigations, and more. Prospective officer applicants with a college degree and who are able to speak another language may be shown preference during the hiring process.
Rockville Police Department
The Rockville Police Department takes on the responsibility of protecting the city’s nearly 62,000 residents. It is divided into several departments, including field and special operations, and works in a number of cooperative associations with local residents. Job candidates must be in excellent physical health and should not apply if personal marijuana use has exceeded 20 times.
Gaithersburg Police Department
The Gaithersburg Police Department is organized into a number of bureaus, including Administration, Community Services, Operations, and Special Operations. Police officer candidates must have either 30 college credits or a life-experience equivalency as determined by the police chief.
Bowie Police Department
The Bowie Police Department is responsible for providing law enforcement services to its 60,000 citizens, making it the fifth largest city in Maryland. To become a police officer in Bowie, applicants must be of good moral standing.
Maryland Law Enforcement Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for Maryland law enforcement officers was $77,890 as of May 2021.
The following police/sheriff’s department salary data was sourced from May 2021 BLS stats (early career = 25th percentile, senior/late career = 90th percentile).
Police Officer Salaries
The starting (post-academy) salary for police officers in Maryland’s largest police departments is between $48,000 – $62,000.
Baltimore Police Department
Baltimore Police Department officers earn a starting salary of $62,010 and a top salary of $102,880. Additional salary incentives are available to those with a bachelor’s degree.
Bowie Police Department
Police officers with the Bowie Police Department earn a salary of about $62,010 during academy training.
Frederick Police Department
Police officers (called privates) with the Frederick Police Department earn a starting salary of $51,410 and a top salary of $80,820.
Rockville Police Department
The starting salary for Rockville police officers is about $48,780.
Sheriff’s Deputy Salaries
The starting salary for sheriff’s deputies among Maryland’s largest sheriff’s departments is between $51,000 and $62,000.
Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office
Early career sheriff’s deputies with the Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office earn about $62,010. The top pay for these law enforcement professionals is about $102,880 at 24 years of service.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy sheriffs with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s earn between $51,410 and $80,820
Prince George Sheriff’s Office
Deputy sheriffs (private) with the Prince George Sheriff’s Office earn a salary of between $51,410 and $80,820.
State Trooper and State Police Salaries
The salary for early career troopers with the Maryland State Police is about $61,970. Senior troopers earn upwards of $102,880.
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for police and sheriff’s patrol officers. Job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2022.