Potential new cop in Baltimore City

[ApexinM3]

Hi all,
First off: Mods, I couldn't think of a better place to post this; if you do then by all means move it to the proper location. And now on with the show...

I was wondering if any police officers on this forum can offer some guidance about becoming a cop. I've been debating this for a few years now, but have decided to follow thru with it.

Baltimore City will be the most likely candidate as it does not require college as a prerequisite to join. I intend to get a degree after I join up, but due to budget constraints I will have to wait a bit. I live in MD (Anne Arundel County), so I don't mind the commute.

Any suggestions? Reading materials? Testing? Any help would be greatly appreciated and as always, thanks in advance!

 

[ZeSpectre]

You might want to go over to this thread ( I've decided to pursue an LEO career... advice please! ) and read.

My post there is #12, I'm not going to repeat it all again

 

[Library Guy]

Before joining up with Baltimore City, you might want to check to see what other agencies accept the Balto PD Academy certification.

There was a time (20 years ago) when many Baltimore Police could not transfer to the counties because the City academy did not meet standards throughout the rest of the state.

If things have not changed, one might consider the Maryland State Police Academy.

As an aside, I work in downtown Baldeemore (live in AACO) and the BCP cadets jog past my window singing and clapping the inspiring cadence of:

“Gotta work work...
Gotta work work.”

All the time wearing orange safety belts so drivers don’t hit them…

 

[wooderson]

Rent The Wire seasons 1-4!

 

[Spot77]

I graduated form AACC back in the early 90's majoring in Criminal justice/Law Enforcement. The job market for police officers in Maryland was FIERCE at the time and I applied to a dozen agencies before being accepted in MTA Police. Even after being accepted, there was only 12 openings for 32 qualified candidates. Tough break for me, being a skinny white kid wanting to work in Baltimore City

Anyway. Baltomore's academy is recognized throughout the state. As a state police officer (MTA is a state organization, thus I would have been a state police officer, NOT a state trooper otherwise know as MSP) I was slated to attend Baltimore's police acadmy for my MPTC certification.

I heard a rumor (completely unconfirmed of course) that if hired by Baltimore City Police, you are required to stay with BPD for a certain amount of years. If you lateral'd to another agency prematurely, BPD would make you pay for the academy training. Maybe somebody here can set the record straight on that.

Although a lot of agencies don't require college degrees, they will certainly give preference to applicants with college education. I suggest going to AACC and at least getting a certificate in CJ/LE (only 36 credit hours) and taking a few Spanish or Greek language classes due to the population of Latinos and Greeks in Baltimore.

 

[ApexinM3]

...and taking a few Spanish or Greek language classes...

Spot (aND OTHERS),
Thanks for the heads-up; I figured the Spanish course would be a defacto requirement, but the Greek language caught me by surprise.

As for staying with BPD for a few years, that was my plan. Ideally, I'd end up trying to get in on the aviation side or the communication side of law enforcement. Perhaps work with or maybe run the armory??? There are so many options in the field that until I am in the door I haven't decided on one particular aspect yet.

Ultimately I will move to North or South Carolina to retire (Wilmington, NC or Charleston, SC), so my goal is to get as much experience as possible.

A little background on me: 29, single, no kids, physically fit (though could be better), good communication & people skills (been managing car dealer service departments for 6 years), good (but not great) shooting skills, eager to learn, motivated.

The bad: No college. It appears to me after doing research of various department requirements that college is very heavily favored. This is why I was looking at BPD as they are one of the few who do not. I figured I could enroll in some courses while working to earn my degree. Once I had my degree in hand (which I figure would take a few years to get anyways) I'd transfer out to something a bit more sane.

Still trying to decide, I just want out of the car business!