Maryland State Police
Encyclopedia
The Maryland State Police is the official state police
force of the state of Maryland
. The Maryland State Police is headquartered at 1201 Reisterstown Road in the Pikesville CDP
in unincorporated
Baltimore County
.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal
is a member of the department and is charged with investigation and prosecution of suspicious fires and arson
throughout the state.
Automotive Safety Enforcement Division, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, and the Transportation Safety Division which are responsible for traffic control and criminal law enforcement.
s. 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. Recent Superintendents have included David B. Mitchell
from 1995 to 2003, Ed Norris
from 2003 to 2004, Thomas E. Hutchins
from 2004 to 2007, and Terrence Sheridan from 2007 to 2011. The current Superintendent is Marcus L. Brown, who was appointed on August 1, 2011 after serving as Chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police since 2007.
Forty-two state troopers have been killed in the line of duty in the history of the force.
The Department also has the authority and jurisdiction to investigate allegations of police corruption concerning any municipal agency within the state of Maryland. The Department also enforces controlled substance
laws throughout the state.
is worn, with long sleeves in winter and short sleeves in summer. A black tie is worn with the long-sleeve shirt. Some Troopers also wear black wooly pully Commando Sweaters in cold weather. 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.
The Maryland State Police, along with the Virginia State Police
, the West Virginia State Police
, the Massachusetts State Police
, and the Minnesota State Patrol
, is one of the few police agencies to wear a badge
directly over their shirt pocket.
Maryland State Police troopers are currently issued the Beretta PX4 Storm
chambered in 40 S&W and some are issued a Remington 870
.
Certain troopers, based on experience are issued the following specialized weapons: Colt M16-A1
and the Colt AR-15
.
in the same location as the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission
. 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 assigned to one of twenty two barracks located around Maryland
.
organization with a rank structure modeled after the United States military. The ranks of corporal through captain are based on promotional testing; majors and above are appointed by the superintendent.
The Maryland State Police rank structure is as listed:
The Office of the Superintendent includes staff and units that directly support the administrative responsibilities of the Secretary. Those units and staff report to the Chief of Staff, except for the Office of Media Communications and Marketing, which reports directly to the Secretary.
Field Operations Bureau includes the twenty-three barracks, as well as the Aviation Command, the Transportation Safety Command and the Special Operations Command. To learn more about the Field Operations Bureau, please click here.
The Homeland Security and Investigation Bureau was established to provide investigative services, both overt and covert to support the Department's mission of achieving public safety by improving the quality of life for the citizens of Maryland. The Bureau is organized in three commands: the Homeland Security Command and the Investigation Command.
The Support Services Bureau performs vital services to support the personnel and operations of the Maryland State Police. The Personnel Command is responsible for all aspects of personnel administration - from recruiting and training to benefits and retirement. The Logistics Command maintains the vital infrastructure of the Agency including the physical buildings and the computer network. The Records Command includes the Licensing Division, which issues numerous types of permits and licenses (such as handgun permits) and the Central Records Division which is the statewide repository for motor vehicle accident reports. To learn more about the Support Services Bureau, please click here.
The Office of Strategic Planning oversees all planning and compliance functions within the Department. The Office of Strategic Planning includes the Budget and Finance Division, the Government Affairs Unit, the Professional Policing Division, the Staff Inspections Section, and the Planning and Research
operations. Aviation also supports ground units of the state and local police. Funding comes from vehicle registration
fees.
As of October 2007 the Command operates 3 types of Aircraft. On October 20, 2010, Maryland State Police awarded a $71 million contract to AgustaWestland
to provide six AW139
helicopters. The contract calls for the first helicopter to be delivered within 18 months.
Helicopters
Fixed wing
The aviation command was instrumental in the support of the first trauma center
in the USA, the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center
at the University of Maryland
Medical Center in Baltimore.
) disappeared from radar and crashed with five people aboard in Walker Mill Regional Park in Prince George's County. Out of the five aboard, there were four confirmed fatalities, which included Pilot Stephen H. Bunker (retired corporal), paramedic TFC Mickey Lippy, EMT Tonya Mallard (Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department), and one of the two patients on board. This resulted in the grounding of all aircraft, until the cause was determined, with allied agencies covering the state. Aircraft were inspected and brought up to cover missions two weeks after the crash with no resulting incidents.
This is the fourth fatal crash in the history of the MSP Aviation Division. The most recent fatal crash prior to this occurred on January 19, 1986.
agencies were accused of racial profiling
. Allegations were made that black motorists were being pulled over disproportionately on the New Jersey Turnpike
and on Interstate 95
, for no reason other than race alone. In New Jersey many rank-and-file state troopers testified that their supervisors had ordered them to engage in this practice. A nationwide scandal erupted, which ultimately resulted in a federal monitor watching over the New Jersey State Police. In a "consent decree," the New Jersey State Police agreed to adopt a new policy that no individual may be detained based on race, unless said individual matches the description of a specific suspect. In Maryland the state reached a settlement to pay the victims for the incident.
In 2008, it was revealed through Freedom of Information Act requests that the Maryland State Police had been engaged in domestic spying of anti-war, anti-death penalty and environmental activists, and classified 53 of them as "terrorists," although none of them committed a violent crime. The police admitted that there was never any evidence linking these individuals with any intention to commit any acts of violence. Among those listed as terrorists were two Roman Catholic nuns living in Baltimore.
State police
State police are a type of sub-national territorial police force, particularly in Australia and the United States. Some other countries have analogous police forces, such as the provincial police in some Canadian provinces, while in other places, the same responsibilities are held by national...
force of the state of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. The Maryland State Police is headquartered at 1201 Reisterstown Road in the Pikesville CDP
Pikesville, Maryland
Pikesville is a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. Pikesville is just northwest of the Baltimore city limits. It is the northwestern suburb closest to Baltimore.The population was 29,123 at the 2000 census...
in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
Baltimore County
Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County is a county located in the northern part of the US state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 805,029. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Towson. The name of the county was derived from the barony of the Proprietor of the Maryland...
.
Organizational structure
The Maryland State Police is organized into a structure based on the United States military, composed of:- Department of State Police (commanded by the Colonel)
- Bureaus (commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel)
- Commands (commanded by a Major)
- Troops (commanded by a Captain)
- Divisions (commanded by a Captain or Civilian Director)
- Barracks (commanded by a Lieutenant)
- Sections (commanded by a Captain or Lieutenant or Civilian Director)
- Units (commanded by a First Sergeant)
The Maryland State Fire Marshal
Maryland State Fire Marshal
The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal actively works in 17 of 23 Maryland counties. It works under the Department of State Police. The mission of the OSFM is "the protection of life and property from fire and explosion through the efforts of a diverse, highly trained and dedicated staff...
is a member of the department and is charged with investigation and prosecution of suspicious fires and arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
throughout the state.
Field Operations Bureau
The Field Operations Bureau comprises twenty-two barracks within six geographical troop areas. It further comprises the Aviation Division, Special Operations Command, and the Transportation Safety Command that includes theAutomotive Safety Enforcement Division, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, and the Transportation Safety Division which are responsible for traffic control and criminal law enforcement.
Homeland Security and Investigation Bureau
The Homeland Security and Investigation Bureau was established to provide investigative services, both overt and covert. It is divided into the Homeland Security Command and the Investigation Command.Support Services Bureau
The Support Services Bureau is responsible for personnel administration including recruiting, retention, training, retirement, and benefits. It maintains the physical and technical infrastructure for the department. The bureau is currently commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Robert McGainey. Divisions include Facilities Management, Electronic Systems, Information Technology, Motor Vehicle, Quartermaster, Human Resources, Training, and Promotional Testing.Office of Strategic Planning
The Office of Strategic Planning deals with all planning within the department. The Bureau manages the Budget and Finance Division, Government Affairs Unit, Policing Division, Staff Inspections Section, and Planning and Research Division.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 sheriffSheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
s. 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. Recent Superintendents have included David B. Mitchell
David B. Mitchell (police chief)
David B. Mitchell is an American police chief in Maryland and previously Delaware.David B. Mitchell was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His educational background includes B.S. in management and technology, M.A. in public policy degrees, and J.D. degrees from the University of Maryland, College...
from 1995 to 2003, Ed Norris
Ed Norris
Edward T. Norris is an American radio host and former law enforcement officer in Maryland. His talk show, the Ed Norris Show, airs on WJZ-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Norris, a 20-year veteran of the New York Police Department, served as police commissioner for Baltimore from 2000 to late 2002...
from 2003 to 2004, Thomas E. Hutchins
Thomas E. Hutchins
Thomas E. Hutchins born in Baltimore, MD, was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for District 28, which covers a portion of Charles County, Maryland, prior to being selected to be the Secretary of Maryland State Police.-Education:...
from 2004 to 2007, and Terrence Sheridan from 2007 to 2011. The current Superintendent is Marcus L. Brown, who was appointed on August 1, 2011 after serving as Chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police since 2007.
Forty-two state troopers have been killed in the line of duty in the history of the force.
Jurisdiction
The Maryland State Police has jurisdiction in the state of Maryland and may, in its discretion or at the request of any municipal agency, or when ordered by the Governor of the state of Maryland, exercise and enforce statewide laws without regard to jurisdiction within the boundaries of the state of Maryland. Otherwise, except under certain conditions as defined by statute, the agency does not enforce criminal laws within the jurisdiction of those incorporated municipalities which have their own police force.The Department also has the authority and jurisdiction to investigate allegations of police corruption concerning any municipal agency within the state of Maryland. The Department also enforces controlled substance
Controlled substance
A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or use are regulated by a government. This may include illegal drugs and prescription medications ....
laws throughout the state.
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 shirtShirt
A shirt is a cloth garment for the upper body. Originally an undergarment worn exclusively by men, it has become, in American English, a catch-all term for almost any garment other than outerwear such as sweaters, coats, jackets, or undergarments such as bras, vests or base layers...
is worn, with long sleeves in winter and short sleeves in summer. A black tie is worn with the long-sleeve shirt. Some Troopers also wear black wooly pully Commando Sweaters in cold weather. Class A uniforms consist of a dress blouse and Sam Browne belt
Sam Browne belt
The Sam Browne belt is a wide belt, usually leather, which is supported by a strap going diagonally over the right shoulder. It is most often seen as part of a military or police uniform.-Origins:...
. Sergeants and corporals wear yellow chevrons showing their rank on both sleeves.
A felt Stetson
Stetson
Stetsons are the brand of hat manufactured by the John B. Stetson Company of St. Joseph, Missouri.Stetson eventually became the world’s largest hat maker, producing over 3.3 million hats a year in a factory spread over . Today Stetson remains a family-owned concern...
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.
The Maryland State Police, along with the Virginia State Police
Virginia State Police
Virginia State Police is a state agency, conceived in 1919 and established in 1932, that acts as the state police force for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The agency originated out of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles as an inspector and enforcer of highway laws...
, the West Virginia State Police
West Virginia State Police
The West Virginia State Police is a paramilitary organization, state law enforcement agency in the United States that provides statewide police services to the 1.83 million residents in West Virginia...
, the Massachusetts State Police
Massachusetts State Police
The Massachusetts State Police is an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security responsible for criminal law enforcement and traffic vehicle regulation across the state...
, and the Minnesota State Patrol
Minnesota State Patrol
The Minnesota State Patrol is the statewide police force in the state of Minnesota. The State Patrol concentrates primarily on traffic enforcement and highway safety. Troopers are also involved with accident reconstruction and commercial vehicle enforcement. The State Patrol capitol security...
, is one of the few police agencies to wear a badge
Badge
A badge is a device or fashion accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath , a sign of legitimate employment or student status, or as a simple...
directly over their shirt pocket.
Maryland State Police troopers are currently issued the Beretta PX4 Storm
Beretta Px4 Storm
The Beretta Px4 Storm is a semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Beretta of Italy and intended for personal defense and law enforcement use. The Px4 uses the same short-recoil, rotating barrel lock as the Beretta 8000 Models and uses the same operating system as the M9/92/96 series, while being...
chambered in 40 S&W and some are issued a Remington 870
Remington 870
The Remington Model 870 is a U.S.-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, Inc. It is widely used by the public for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense. It is also commonly used by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.-Development:The Remington 870 was...
.
Certain troopers, based on experience are issued the following specialized weapons: Colt M16-A1
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
and the Colt AR-15
AR-15
The AR-15 is a lightweight, 5.56 mm, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle, with a rotating-lock bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is manufactured with the extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials....
.
Training
The Maryland State Police Training Academy is in Sykesville, MarylandSykesville, Maryland
Sykesville is a town in Carroll County, Maryland, United States. The population was 4,197 at the 2000 census.-History:The land on which Sykesville sits started out as part of a Springfield Estate, owned by wealthy Baltimore shipbuilder William Patterson...
in the same location as the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission
Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission
Headquartered in Sykesville, MD, the Maryland Police And Correctional Training Commissions is a state oversight agency for all law enforcement and correctional agencies in Maryland.-Duties:...
. 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 assigned to one of twenty two barracks located around Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
.
Barracks
| Barrack ID | Location | Area Served |
|---|---|---|
| Barrack A | Waterloo | Howard Co. |
| Barrack B | Frederick | Frederick Co. |
| Barrack C | Cumberland | Allegany |
| Barrack D | Bel Air | Harford Co. |
| Barrack E | Salisbury | Wicomico |
| Barrack F | North East | Cecil |
| Barrack G | Westminster | Carroll |
| Barrack H | La Plata | Charles |
| Barrack I | Easton | Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot |
| Barrack L | Forestville | Prince George's (south of U.S. 50) |
| Barrack M | JFK Memorial Highway | Cecil, Harford, Baltimore |
| Barrack N | Rockville | Montgomery |
| Barrack O | Hagerstown | Washington |
| Barrack P | Glen Burnie | Anne Arundel |
| Barrack Q | College Park | Prince Georges (north of Route 50) |
| Barrack R | Golden Ring | Baltimore |
| Barrack S | Centreville | Kent, Queen Annes |
| Barrack T | Leonardtown | St. Marys |
| Barrack U | Prince Frederick | Calvert |
| Barrack V | Berlin | Worcester |
| Barrack W | Mc Henry | Garrett |
| Barrack X | Princess Anne | Somerset |
Rank structure
The Maryland State Police is a paramilitaryParamilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
organization with a rank structure modeled after the United States military. The ranks of corporal through captain are based on promotional testing; majors and above are appointed by the superintendent.
The Maryland State Police rank structure is as listed:
| Rank | Insignia | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Superintendent Superintendent (police) Superintendent , often shortened to "super", is a rank in British police services and in most English-speaking Commonwealth nations. In many Commonwealth countries the full version is superintendent of police... |
 |
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 Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... |
 |
There are three officers with the rank of lieutenant colonel, each overseeing one of the three bureaus within the state police. |
| Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... |
 |
Majors are responsible for a command within the state police. |
| Captain Police captain - France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant.... |
 |
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 Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... |
 |
A lieutenant is the commander of each barrack. Other Lieutenants may command a unit. |
| Sergeant Major Sergeant Major Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers... |
 |
The sergeant major is responsible for ensuring a clear channel of communication from the troopers on the road to the secretary of the department. There is only one sergeant major in the Department of State Police who is designated by the superintendent. |
| First Sergeant First Sergeant First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff... |
 |
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 barracks, or may be assigned to other investigative functions. |
| Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... |
 |
Sergeants act as shift commanders or duty officers. |
| Corporal Corporal Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4.... |
 |
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 Trooper First Class Trooper first class is a rank used by several state police agencies within the United States and in some world militaries.In particular, in the Louisiana State Police, it is a rank below senior trooper, yet above trooper. The insignia for this rank consists of a gold colored 'TFC' collar pin worn... |
 |
Troopers who complete three years of satisfactory or exceptional service are promoted to the rank of TFC. |
| Trooper Trooper (police rank) Trooper is a rank used by several civilian police forces in the United States. In its plural form, troopers, it generally refers to members of state highway patrol or state police agencies, even though those officers may not necessarily be of the rank of trooper.For example, in the Louisiana State... |
Recruits successfully completing the academy and field training are appointed as troopers. | |
Demographics
- Male: 90%
- Female: 10%
- White: 78%
- African-American/Black: 19%
- Hispanic: 2%
- Asian: 1%
Organization
The Maryland State Police is a paramilitary organization whose organizational and rank structure are modeled after the United States military.- Department of State Police (commanded by the Colonel)
- Bureaus (commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel)
- Commands (commanded by a Major)
- Troops (commanded by a Captain)
- Divisions (commanded by a Captain or Civilian Director)
- Barracks (commanded by a Lieutenant)
- Sections (commanded by a Captain or Lieutenant or Civilian Director)
- Units (commanded by a First Sergeant)
Subdivisions
All of the subdivisions of the Agency fall under the Office of the Superintendent, are part of one of the three bureaus or fall under the Office of Strategic Planning.The Office of the Superintendent includes staff and units that directly support the administrative responsibilities of the Secretary. Those units and staff report to the Chief of Staff, except for the Office of Media Communications and Marketing, which reports directly to the Secretary.
Field Operations Bureau includes the twenty-three barracks, as well as the Aviation Command, the Transportation Safety Command and the Special Operations Command. To learn more about the Field Operations Bureau, please click here.
The Homeland Security and Investigation Bureau was established to provide investigative services, both overt and covert to support the Department's mission of achieving public safety by improving the quality of life for the citizens of Maryland. The Bureau is organized in three commands: the Homeland Security Command and the Investigation Command.
The Support Services Bureau performs vital services to support the personnel and operations of the Maryland State Police. The Personnel Command is responsible for all aspects of personnel administration - from recruiting and training to benefits and retirement. The Logistics Command maintains the vital infrastructure of the Agency including the physical buildings and the computer network. The Records Command includes the Licensing Division, which issues numerous types of permits and licenses (such as handgun permits) and the Central Records Division which is the statewide repository for motor vehicle accident reports. To learn more about the Support Services Bureau, please click here.
The Office of Strategic Planning oversees all planning and compliance functions within the Department. The Office of Strategic Planning includes the Budget and Finance Division, the Government Affairs Unit, the Professional Policing Division, the Staff Inspections Section, and the Planning and Research
Specialized units
- Drug Enforcement Division (DED)
- Homeland Security and Intelligence Division (HSID)
- Criminal Investigations Division (CID)
- Executive Protection
- S.T.A.T.E. Team (SWATSWATA SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
) - AviationAviationAviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
Command - D.A.R.E.
- Accident Reconstruction
- Canine Unit (K9Police dogA police dog, often referred to as a "K-9 dog" in some areas , is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work...
) - Crime Lab
- MediaMass mediaMass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
Communications - ComputerComputerA computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
Crimes - Automotive Safety Enforcement Division
- Police Academy or Training Division
- Motorcycle Unit
- Licensing Division
- Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division
- Underwater Recovery Unit (MSP URT)
Aviation Command
Maryland State Police operates a large aviation division focusing on medevacMEDEVAC
Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
operations. Aviation also supports ground units of the state and local police. Funding comes from vehicle registration
Vehicle registration
Vehicle registration is the compulsory registration of a vehicle with a government authority. Vehicle registration's purpose is to establish clear ownership and to tax motorists or vehicle owners....
fees.
As of October 2007 the Command operates 3 types of Aircraft. On October 20, 2010, Maryland State Police awarded a $71 million contract to AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is an Anglo-Italian helicopter design and manufacturing company. It was formed in July 2000 when Finmeccanica S.p.A. and GKN plc agreed to merge their respective helicopter subsidiaries to form AgustaWestland with Finmeccanica and GKN each holding a 50% share.AgustaWestland is now a...
to provide six AW139
AgustaWestland AW139
The AgustaWestland AW139 is a 15-seat medium sized twin-engined helicopter manufactured by AgustaWestland. Originally designed and developed jointly by Agusta and Bell Helicopters and marketed as the Agusta-Bell AB139, it was redesignated the AW139 when Bell withdrew from the project...
helicopters. The contract calls for the first helicopter to be delivered within 18 months.
Helicopters
- 12 Aerospatiale/Eurocopter Dauphin helicopters
- 3 Aerospatiale SA.365N-1 DauphinEurocopter DauphinThe Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter .-Design and development:...
- 2 Eurocopter AS 365N-2 DauphinEurocopter DauphinThe Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter .-Design and development:...
- 7 Eurocopter AS 365N-3 DauphinEurocopter DauphinThe Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter .-Design and development:...
- 3 Aerospatiale SA.365N-1 Dauphin
Fixed wing
- 1 Beechcraft B300 King Air 350Beechcraft Super King AirThe Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation . The King Air line comprises a number of model series that fall into two families: the Model 90 series, Model 100 series , Model 200 series and Model 300 series...
- 1 Cessna P210N Pressurised CenturionCessna 210The Cessna 210 Centurion is a six-seat, high-performance, retractable-gear single-engine general aviation aircraft which was first flown in January 1957 and produced by Cessna until 1985.-Design and development:...
The aviation command was instrumental in the support of the first trauma center
Trauma center
A trauma center is a hospital equipped to provide comprehensive emergency medical services to patients suffering traumatic injuries. Trauma centers grew into existence out of the realization that traumatic injury is a disease process unto itself requiring specialized and experienced...
in the USA, the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center
R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center
R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center is a free-standing trauma hospital in Baltimore, Maryland and is part of the University of Maryland Medical Center. It was the first facility in the world to treat shock...
at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland Medical System
The University of Maryland Medical System is a private, not-for-profit corporation founded in 1994 and based in Baltimore, Maryland...
Medical Center in Baltimore.
Trooper 2 crash
On September 28, 2008, at approximately 12:30am, Trooper 2 (Eurocopter AS 365N1 Dauphin, N92MDEurocopter Dauphin
The Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter .-Design and development:...
) disappeared from radar and crashed with five people aboard in Walker Mill Regional Park in Prince George's County. Out of the five aboard, there were four confirmed fatalities, which included Pilot Stephen H. Bunker (retired corporal), paramedic TFC Mickey Lippy, EMT Tonya Mallard (Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department), and one of the two patients on board. This resulted in the grounding of all aircraft, until the cause was determined, with allied agencies covering the state. Aircraft were inspected and brought up to cover missions two weeks after the crash with no resulting incidents.
This is the fourth fatal crash in the history of the MSP Aviation Division. The most recent fatal crash prior to this occurred on January 19, 1986.
Controversy
In the late 1990s, the Maryland State Police and New Jersey State PoliceNew Jersey State Police
The New Jersey State Police is the state police force for the state of New Jersey. It is a general-powers police agency with state wide jurisdiction when requested by the Governor, designated by Troop Sectors.-History:...
agencies were accused of racial profiling
Racial profiling
Racial profiling refers to the use of an individual’s race or ethnicity by law enforcement personnel as a key factor in deciding whether to engage in enforcement...
. Allegations were made that black motorists were being pulled over disproportionately on the New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road in New Jersey, maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Turnpike is the nation's sixth-busiest toll road and is among one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United...
and on Interstate 95
Interstate 95
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore,...
, for no reason other than race alone. In New Jersey many rank-and-file state troopers testified that their supervisors had ordered them to engage in this practice. A nationwide scandal erupted, which ultimately resulted in a federal monitor watching over the New Jersey State Police. In a "consent decree," the New Jersey State Police agreed to adopt a new policy that no individual may be detained based on race, unless said individual matches the description of a specific suspect. In Maryland the state reached a settlement to pay the victims for the incident.
In 2008, it was revealed through Freedom of Information Act requests that the Maryland State Police had been engaged in domestic spying of anti-war, anti-death penalty and environmental activists, and classified 53 of them as "terrorists," although none of them committed a violent crime. The police admitted that there was never any evidence linking these individuals with any intention to commit any acts of violence. Among those listed as terrorists were two Roman Catholic nuns living in Baltimore.
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in Maryland
- State policeState policeState police are a type of sub-national territorial police force, particularly in Australia and the United States. Some other countries have analogous police forces, such as the provincial police in some Canadian provinces, while in other places, the same responsibilities are held by national...
- State patrol
- Highway patrolHighway patrolA highway patrol is either a police unit created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways, or a detail within an existing local or regional police agency that is primarily concerned with such duties.Duties of highway patrols or traffic...
- Maryland State Police Museum - Pikesville, MarylandPikesville, MarylandPikesville is a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. Pikesville is just northwest of the Baltimore city limits. It is the northwestern suburb closest to Baltimore.The population was 29,123 at the 2000 census...