You'll need to complete 26 weeks of training before making it to the streets of Maryland.
Many young people dream of becoming a law enforcement officer. Unfortunately though, due to the tough nature of the selection process, only the very best and the determined will come close to fulfilling their ambitions. Becoming a cop in Maryland is no walk in the park. Once you've established that you meet the minimum entry requirements, you'll need to hold your nerve through a series of rigorous tests and checks before standing a chance of entering training.
Instructions
1. Check that you meet the minimum qualifications criteria to apply for a job as a Maryland law enforcement officer. You'll need to be a U.S. citizen aged between 20 and 59, with at least a high school diploma or a General Education Development certificate. You'll need to be in good physical shape and of sound character, have 20/20 vision and hold a clean and current driving license. If you have any outstanding domestic violence court orders, you will not be able to apply.
2. Visit the Maryland State Police Department's online applicant orientation pages and click on the location nearest to you to find out when the next orientation session is due to take place. All law enforcement officer candidates must attend an orientation session before progressing any further in the application process. You do not need to inform the Maryland State Police Department's recruitment office before attending your chosen session.
3. Arrive at least half an hour early for your applicant orientation session. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed in. You'll need to wear appropriate business attire and bring a black pen, a notepad and your driving license. The session lasts three hours. You will be asked to complete a five page pre-application pack before you leave. If you are deemed to be a suitable candidate, you will be invited to move onto the next stage of the recruitment process.
4. Complete a fitness assessment. You will be required to successfully complete a range of physical tests in set time frames to establish whether you are fit enough to move onto the next stage of the process.
5. Sit a written exam. The Police Officer Standardized Testing exam consists of four parts: mathematics, reading comprehension, spelling and grammar and writing. You will be given a full application pack at the end of the exam. If you pass, complete the application pack and return it to the Maryland Police Department's HR office within three weeks of receiving your results. If your application is successful, you will be made a conditional offer of employment.
6. Submit to an oral interview, a polygraph test and a background check, medical and psychological tests and a final interview in front of a Police Selection Committee. If you successfully complete all steps of the process and the Maryland Police Department has capacity for new officers, you may be made a final offer of employment.
7. Attend the Maryland State Police Training Academy for 26 weeks of military-style training. Once you've completed this, you'll spend eight weeks being supervised under the Field Training Trooper program and can then take up independent patrols.
Tags: Police Department, enforcement officer, Maryland State, Maryland State Police, orientation session, State Police