Maryland State Police

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The Maryland State Police is the official state police force of the State of Maryland.

1 History
2 Jurisdiction
3 Uniform and equipment
4 Training
5 Rank structure
6 Specialized units
7 Aviation command
8 References
9 External links

[edit] History

Prior to 1921, the state of Maryland had no state-wide police force. In that year, in response to increasing crime, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles organized a team of police officers who were given statewide jurisdiction to enforce traffic and criminal laws. They gained jurisdiction through deputization by county sheriffs. An associated plainclothes investigative unit became known as the "State Police Force."

In 1935, the Maryland State Police was established as a separate unit of State government, funded out of revenues from the Department of Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. It was granted additional statewide police powers to enforce fish, oyster, game and other conservation laws and maintain a training school. It was made part of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services in 1970.

In 1994, the Department of Maryland State Police was formed as a separate executive department; it was renamed the Department of State Police in 1995.

Thirty-nine state troopers have been killed in the line of duty in the history of the force.

[edit] Jurisdiction

The Department of State Police has statewide jurisdiction except in incorporated municipalities. Within these municipalities the Department may exercise jurisdiction under certain conditions defined by statute. The Department also enforces controlled substance laws throughout the state.

The State Fire Marshal is a member of the department and is charged with investigation and prosecution of suspicious fires and arson throughout the state.

[edit] Uniform and equipment

The Maryland State Police uniform has remained the same since 1951. The standard Trooper uniform consists of olive pants with a black stripe down the side. A tan colored button-up shirt is worn, with long sleeves in winter and short sleeves in summer. A black tie is worn with the long-sleeve shirt. Class A uniforms consist of a dress blouse and "Sam Browne" belt. Sergeants and corporals wear yellow chevrons showing their rank on both sleeves.

A felt Stetson hat is worn in the winter months with a long sleeve shirt and tie, and a straw Stetson is worn in the summer months with the short sleeve shirt.

Maryland State Police, along with the Virginia State Police, are the only state police agencies to wear a badge directly over their shirt pocket.

Maryland State Police are currently issued the Beretta 96D and Remington 870.

In all cases, the shirttail is tucked in.

[edit] Training

The Maryland State Police Training Academy is in Sykesville, Maryland in the same location as the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions. The Academy is live-in and consists of twenty-six weeks of basic instruction.

Recruits take college-level academic classes for which they receive 45 college credits. Training includes instruction in the use of the agency's firearms as well as in criminal law, motor vehicle law and emergency vehicle operation. Vehicle training is conducted on the training commission's course.

Upon completion of training, troopers are assigend to one of twenty four barracks located around Maryland. There are barracks in each county; two are located in Anne Arundel County: one is in Glen Burnie, the other in Annapolis. There is no facility in Baltimore City.

[edit] Rank structure

The Maryland State Police is a paramilitary organization with a rank structure modeled after the United States military. The ranks of Trooper First Class through Lieutenant are based on promotional testing; Captains and above are appointed by the superintendent.

Superintendent: The Superintendent of the Maryland State Police holds the rank of Colonel. He is the Secretary of the Department of State Police and a member of the Governor's Cabinet.
Lieutenant Colonel: There are three officers with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, each overseeing one of the three bureaus within the State Police.
Major: Majors are responsible for a command within the State Police.
Captain: The specific responsibilities of a Captain vary depending upon where they are assigned within the Agency. For example, a Captain may be a Troop Commander in the Field Operations Bureau or a Division Commander in one of the other Bureaus.
Lieutenant: A Lieutenant is the Commander of each barrack. Other Lieutenants may command a unit.
Sergeant Major: The Sergeant Major, designated by the Superintendent, is responsible for ensuring a clear channel of communication from the Troopers to the Secretary of the Department.
First Sergeant: First Sergeants are assistant barrack commanders or may perform administrative functions in other areas.
Detective Sergeant: Detective Sergeants are in charge of all criminal investigations at a barrack, or may be assigned to other investigative functions.
Sergeant: Sergeants act as shift commanders or duty officers.
Corporal: Corporals are the first-line supervisors and are usually assigned as road supervisors within barracks. In the absence of a Sergeant, they may act as the duty officer.
Trooper First Class: Troopers who complete three years of satisfactory or exceptional service are promoted to the rank of TFC.
Trooper: Recruits successfully completing the academy and field training are appointed as troopers. Since they have no insignia sewn on their shirts, they are known as "Slick Sleeves" among their fellow Troopers.

[edit] Specialized units

Drug Enforcement
Homeland Security
Executive Protection
S.T.A.T.E. Team (SWAT)
Aviation Command
D.A.R.E.
Accident Reconstruction
Canine Unit (K9)
Crime Lab
Media Communications
Criminal Investigations
Computer Crimes
Automotive Safety Enforcement Division
Police Academy or Training Division
Motorcycle Unit
Licensing Division
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division

[edit] Aviation command

Maryland State Police operates a large aviation division focusing on medevac operations. Aviation also supports ground units of the state and local police. Funding comes from vehicle registration fees.

The Command operates 3 types of Aircraft:

The aviation command was instrumental in the support of the first trauma center in the USA, at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.