MD State Troopers

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  • kohburn

    Resident MacGyver
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 15, 2008
    6,796
    PAX NAS / CP MCAS
    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.
     

    Name Taken

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 23, 2010
    11,891
    Central
    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.

    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.
     

    RobMoore

    The Mad Scientist
    Feb 10, 2007
    4,765
    QA
    We do have a couple of MSP here but they prefer not to be known as such.

    I don't blame them. With all the threads about it taking 2 or more weeks to get a not-disapproved, having a permit denied, or the dozens of speeding related ones, I can't imagine they'd see much peace.
     

    FrankOceanXray

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 29, 2008
    12,028
    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.
     

    booker

    Active Member
    Apr 5, 2008
    776
    Baltimore
    Dan, good for you to be looking ahead. That's the first step.

    Many people have posted all sorts of ideas about where to work: military, state, federal, maybe even private security.

    But I'm going to answer your question very differently: You won't make it. Stick with the math and statistics, become an analyst.

    Sorry if that's harsh, but hear me out.

    Imagine, if you will, a class of Navy SEALS at BUD/S. It's the second overnight evolution, they are laying in the Pacific Ocean at 0300, waves crashing, they've already run 45 miles in two days, done four sessions of PT, wet and sandy log runs, boat runs, been flipped and crashed into the rocks. Working on two hours sleep. They are under-fed, cold and soaked to the bone. Salt water stings every cut and scrape on their hands, arms, face. Sand in their shorts, sand in their ears, sand in their ass and in their teeth. They breathe and it tastes like salt.

    There's one guy who is looking around at his classmates, thinking "Whoa that water is cold. But I can't be the first guy to quit. But it's really F'ing cold. Damn, I knew it would be cold, but I didn't think it would be this cold. Is anybody going to quit? Looks like Johnson is about to..” Before you know it, this guy is DOR. Dropped On Request. Ring the bell, pack your sh*t, you don’t belong here.

    There’s another guy who is looking around at his classmates, thinking “Hooah this is F’ing wild. Look at this, pitch black, crashing waves, and we’re out here like it’s nothin’. They said it would be cold but this ain’t cold, hell, we could do this all night! Bring it on, because they can’t break us; all day, all night, all week, it don’t matter, HOOAH!

    He's thinking positive, he's thinking team, and he's going to make it.

    It’s called self-programming. From birth, people are telling you no. Hundreds of thousands of times while growing up, you are told no, don’t, can’t, stop. Sometimes it is for your safety and benefit, but a lot of times it is holding you back. It is programming into your brain this train of negative thoughts.

    Looking at your posts, you mention you are Type I Diabetes. Okay. Can you change that? No? Okay, let’s accept it and move on. Unless you want to use it as an excuse for why you stop. Or why you can’t. Or why you don’t.

    It takes significant effort, it takes mental training, just as you do your physical training, to overcome the negative thoughts, the negative self-programming, to change your internal conversation and start thinking positive about yourself regardless of the conditions. You need to train your brain for success. Train your brain to be tough, even if you think it already is. We aren't born this way, it takes a focused, concerted effort. If you're serious, I suggest you pick up a copy of Gary Mack's "Mind Gym" and Jason Selk's "10 Minute Toughness."

    Answer this question: Why do you want to be “boots on ground?” Is it to serve your community or your nation? Is it to prove something to yourself, or maybe somebody else? To overcome personal fear? What is the reason? All answers are valid, but you need to look deep inside yourself and determine what your reason is. Distill it down to one short, sweet sentence, and make that your mission, that is your purpose. Then, go get it, and don’t make excuses, ever.

    You might not want to be a Navy SEAL, and certainly MSP training isn’t exactly BUD/S. But the concepts apply, especially if you want to be the very best you can possibly be at whatever you decide to do in life.
     

    Name Taken

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 23, 2010
    11,891
    Central
    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.

    Yes there are other agencies that do. Not many of the big ones in the Baltimore area offer take home cars though for what it's worth.

    As far as college goes I concur. Also dont waste your time with a CJ degree. It's fairly useless in LE work and you can basically only do LE stuff with it.

    Get in young, take advantage of their tuition reimbursement (most places have this), retire at low to mid 40's and start you other career.

    Look into degree's in Business Management or something fairly generic. CJ is a waste of money IMHO.
     

    FrankOceanXray

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 29, 2008
    12,028
    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.

    Hours are tough. Job is crippling physically, emotionally. Pay is there but you gotta work. The idea of your life being on the line can drive many spouses crazy. Hypervigilance. ....

    It is all what you make of it. I married the best woman in the world who changed with me as I changed into a cop. We both changed. Not bad though. All what you make of it.
     

    fivepointstar

    Thank you MD-Goodbye
    Apr 28, 2008
    30,714
    3rd Rock from the Sun
    Troopers seem to get a bad wrap because they are employees of the O'Malley Socialist State. I know alot of the troopers out of the local barrack and they are just as kind and fascist as the rest of the police officers, county and local PD's.

    Personally....I just don't like the direction MSP is going!!! They have been fazing out alot of their criminal enforcement actions and going to a highway patrol agency.

    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"

    I just think its a waste of resources....

    If you like Traffic go for it!!! the biggest complaint i hear is lack of back up and number of troopers on the road.
     

    Drakos

    Outta Control
    Dec 25, 2010
    151
    Depending how strong your math and computer skills are (and a host of other questions), FBI might be interested.

    Not to mention OGAs if you have a clean background. Service to society has its own rewards...good luck...
     

    Name Taken

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 23, 2010
    11,891
    Central
    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"

    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.
     

    mopar92

    Official MDS Court Jester
    May 5, 2011
    9,513
    Taneytown
    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.
     

    Name Taken

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 23, 2010
    11,891
    Central
    Negative Ghost Rider. We gots Carroll County Sheriffs office. Not sure if that counts though.

    CCSD has not taken full patrol responbility yet.

    They have passed and has begin to hire the duputies to replace the troopers...but as of now if you call 911 there is a good probablity a trooper will be responding.

    I think they set up a time line to phase out MSP from patrol....but it wasnt right away as they did not have the staffing/equipment to do it.

    To see CCSD handy work look into the botch murder case they royaly screwed up and atleast someone in the dept. commited purjury during a murder trail. Real good bang up job....but that's another topic.
     

    Hyper-W

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 24, 2010
    1,189
    Cooksville
    MSP is a great department. My advice to you is to talk to recruiters from various departments and federal agencies and get an idea of where YOU want to me. We can all talk about what departments we chose or would choose but it's an individual choice.

    My advice is more in preparing yourself for the process. Run. Do pushups. Run. Do situps. Run. Get yourself in good shape. Run when it's hot and run when it's cold. You will do a lot of PT in the academy. Also prepare yourself for the background check. Think of all the illegal stuff you've done. All the pot you've smoked, times you drank underage, etc. Keep a running list. If I had written each thing down as I did it, my background process would have been much easier. "was it 11 times or 12 times?". Polygraphs and background investigations are tough. It takes a lot of maturity to say "this is what I've done wrong" and be ok with it. I did not have that maturity right out of college and was denied a federal clearance because of polygraph issues. Now that I'm older, I passed the background and polygraph for a law enforcement job. Of course the downside to being older is that couldn't remember all details to every crime. For the most part, departments don't care what you've done. They are that you are an honest person with integrity. Of course if you are still a routine pot smoker that enjoys knocking over porta potties on weekends then the best of luck to you.

    In summary - work out, apply for multiple departments, do ride alongs with multiple departments, and keep your nose clean. Be honest throughout the process and try to enjoy it. It takes a while and is a roller coaster. I was 8 months from the time of application until the time I got the final letter.
     

    fivepointstar

    Thank you MD-Goodbye
    Apr 28, 2008
    30,714
    3rd Rock from the Sun
    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.

    NOT sure what you are exactly saying but a few years ago there was A LOT of friction b/n the county and the state law enforcement here. THe State Constitution designates the County Sheriff to be the "Chief Law Enforcement Officer" of the county. there was talk for the SO to take ALL Criminal LE in the county and make MSP a Highway Patrol very much like Balt, Howard, Mont and PG Co.

    If you look at Carroll, Barrack G has been downsized for years. I grew up in Carroll and G was the Creame de la Creame with a 112 troopers and they ran 9-12 troopers a shift. I doubt its anything like that now. D Barrack ran 9 troopers a shift when I was just a lowly grunt. Now that i'm an old fart they run 3, one being a supervisor.

    the relationship is great now....I'm good friends with the Barrack commander here and he spend most of his career here so that helps
     

    MJD438

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 28, 2012
    5,849
    Somewhere in MD
    mmm I want to join MSP... for Aviation, since I'm allready a Medic

    That was the only reason I ever seriously considered it. I ended up not doing so, since I did not have the requisite road time as a medic and made significantly more in IT, so here in IT I remain.
     

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