Most departments require at least and AA now.
from my looking around you graduate the academy with an associates in applied sciences or similar - basically an associates that can be the start of a bachelors in criminal justice.
Most departments require at least and AA now.
If you wanna do traffic all day everyday this is the job for you. For police work try a local department. Or out of state.
We do have a couple of MSP here but they prefer not to be known as such.
You do realize MOST Troopers arent assigned to Golden Ring right? They have what a max of 3 troopers on duty out of Golden Ring at any given time?
Most Troopers assigned to "patrol" answer calls for service throughout the state. Since you are likely near the beltway your only experiance with them is 695/inter state roads.
A lot of Troopers are the police throughout the state like on the shore and western Maryland.
Take home car is worth 8-12k a year pending on where you live so keep that in mind. I dont consider that a selling point because at any time the state can take that away...but something to consider.
MSP has some good gigs. They are on several "task forces" and also their high enforcement teams get into A LOT of good things...and most of it stems from those stupid silly traffic stops.
Not to take away from this, many other local agencies offer take home cars, fun task forces, special trainings and speciality divisions. Lots to consider. College degree likely not necessary; good credit, clean background and decent fitness is.
If you want to do something like MSP, don't go to college just for it. You can do college during if you are so inclined but college costs and the benefits, if any, at a PD will not justify those costs.
good question dan, I'm curious also about how to go about that.
imo MD is too expensive to easily live in at that salary point so I'm looking at other states like virginia / NC. where housing is more affordable.
other questions I have for officers on this board are more related to how the job affects your life, (and wife/kids if you have em). How happy you are with your work, sense of accomplishment, etc. those may be better handled in PM's or a BBQ though.
Depending how strong your math and computer skills are (and a host of other questions), FBI might be interested.
Remember when the cars use to say...."State Police" now they say "State Trooper" to me that implies they are phasing out Policing. Number of the full service barracks have downsized ie Westminster, Bel Air, Frederick because they are going away from Full Service and allowing Local PD/SO to take over "policing"
Depends, in places like Carroll county they are the police since there's no county police. The free car and gov gas don't make up for the low pay.
Negative Ghost Rider. We gots Carroll County Sheriffs office. Not sure if that counts though.
I'm not sure MSP is willingly or even wanting the local's to take over. I think the locals are doing it because they now realize the cost involved is not worth it.
Plus like everything else it's a power thing. If the County wants something done they have to go through MSP and hope it's done. If the County has their own dept. the Mayor/Exective makes a phone call to their right hand man (either appointed or elected) and gets the ball rolling. They can control cost, procurement, and deployment.
I think with MSP opening up their multi million dollar crime lab a few years ago is an indication they arent wanting to hand over their investigation/patrol aspect.
But I could be wrong.
mmm I want to join MSP... for Aviation, since I'm allready a Medic
Baltimore City is always hiring....