Company Profile
Maryland State Police
Company Overview
The Maryland State Police is the lead, statewide law enforcement agency in Maryland. Since our founding, the Maryland State Police has been viewed as an innovative agency. Our K-9 program is among the oldest in the nation and we currently maintain one of the largest bloodhound teams in the country. In 1938, the MSP was among the first state police agencies to equip its troopers with two-way radios. The MSP is now the lead agency in Maryland First, the statewide 700 MHz radio project. In 1970, MSP became the first civilian agency in the world to transport a critically injured trauma patient to a hospital in a helicopter and we have since transported over 150,000 patients. Whether the focus is on technology such as the E-TIX electronic citation system, the RAPID pawn database or the new statewide Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System or operations such as the SPIDRE Team or commercial vehicle enforcement, the Maryland State Police remains a leader today.
The Maryland State Police is a full-service law enforcement agency that is comprised of three bureaus: the Field Operations Bureau, the Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Support Services Bureau. Each bureau is commanded by a bureau chief who holds the rank of lieutenant colonel. The Director of the Strategic Planning Command also reports directly to the Superintendent. In addition to the three bureaus, certain units report directly to the Superintendent’s Chief of Staff.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau provides a variety of investigative services. Preventing and reducing crime in Maryland is a goal of the MSP and one of the primary strategies to achieve this is a focus on inter-jurisdictional and cross-border crime. Using a regional configuration, the Criminal Enforcement Division (CED) capitalizes on the Department’s statewide authority to apprehend criminals and dismantle criminal enterprises. CED regional drug investigators routinely collaborate with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to achieve an effective and coordinated drug enforcement strategy. Building relationships with key partners facilitates the exchange of intelligence, avoids duplication of services and eliminates potential operational conflicts. Troopers are assigned to multi-jurisdictional drug task forces, investigative support units, drug interdiction units and federal drug initiatives. CED is organized into two commands, Northern and Southern, each commanded by a major and the Forensic Sciences Division which is commanded by a civilian director.
The services provided by the Field Operations Bureau (FOB) vary by county and depend on the availability of other law enforcement resources. In some areas, troopers share calls for service with the sheriff’s office and provide all law enforcement services to the residents of those counties. In metropolitan areas of the State, the MSP generally provides patrol services on the interstates and other major roadways, assisting county and municipal law enforcement when requested.
The barracks are divided among two commands, each overseen by a major. Each command includes three troops that are commanded by captains. The troops are made up of three to five of the 23 barracks, each of which are commanded by a lieutenant. In addition to the barracks, FOB includes the Special Operations Command and the SPIDRE Team.
The Support Services Bureau provides the materials and services that enable the Department to accomplish its mission. The Bureau’s responsibilities include all aspects of personnel management, information technology, procurement, vehicles and facilities. The Bureau also includes the Aviation Command that provides statewide medevac, law enforcement and homeland security services with a fleet of 10 AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters and two fixed wing aircraft.
Company History
The Maryland State Police (MSP) can trace its origins to 1914 when a corps of motorcycle officers, then under the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, began to enforce motor vehicle laws throughout Maryland. After World War I, former military servicemen were recruited and the first training camp was conducted in 1921. By 1922, the force of motorcycle deputies had statewide jurisdiction over criminal cases. The force was supported by a plainclothes investigative department and was known as the State Police Force.
In 1935, the Maryland State Police was established as a separate unit of state government and 54 former motorcycle deputies were sworn in as troopers. These troopers were granted additional statewide police powers to enforce conservation laws and the State Police was authorized to maintain a training school. The Maryland State Police became part of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services in 1970. In 1994, the Department of Maryland State Police was formed as a principal executive department and renamed the Department of State Police in 1995.
Benefits
- Annual Salary Increases, contingent upon funding, based on 18-step scale to top base pay for a Master Trooper of $94,146.
- Automatic Promotions & Salary Increases to Trooper First Class (after three years), Senior Trooper (10 years) and Master -
Trooper (15 years).
- Competitive Promotional Opportunities to Corporal, Sergeant, First Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain.
- Take-Home Car that may be used off-duty in accordance with State Police policy.
- Health Insurance 80% subsidized by the State.
- State Police Retirement after 25 years or age 50 with up to five years of credit for military service.
- All Uniforms and Equipment provided at no cost.
- All In-Service Training provided at no cost.
- Overtime Opportunities throughout the state
- Associates Degree can be earned upon graduation from the Academy at no cost.