FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to a recruiter. We look forward to connecting with you!
FAQ
Sworn Careers
The ideal officer candidate:
- Is a U.S. citizen, or a permanent legal resident of the United States who: is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces; and has submitted an application for United States citizenship that is pending approval
- Possesses a valid driver’s license
- Is at least 20 years and 9 months of age upon beginning the Police Academy
- Has a high school diploma or GED.
- Can pass a comprehensive background check
- Has a good driving record with no more than five points
- Has not had a DWI/DUI conviction within the last 24 months
- Has been Honorably Discharged if they served in the military
- Is not currently on parole or probation
- Has had any misdemeanor charges expunged
- No marijuana use within one year
- Can pass a mental and physical examination
- Is, above all, truthful throughout the hiring process
As of 1/3/25:
- Police Officer: $64,416 up to $121,645
- Sergeant: $90,966 up to $134,060
- Lieutenant: $105,774 up to $151,600
The BPD is an equal opportunity employer.
The BPD offers a competitive package that includes:
- A pension after 25 years of service (60% of sworn member’s salary
- $12,000 Relocation to Baltimore City Incentive ($1,000 per month for one year)
- $10,000 signing bonus upon successfully passing Field training
- $5,000/year additional student loan assistance for new hires
- Referral Bonus of $2,500-$7,500 per employee per hire
- Health insurance with prescription, dental and vision
- Industry-leading wellness support
- 12 weeks of family and medical leave after a year of employment
- Six-month paid entry-level Police Academy training
- Pay incentives for associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees
- Equipment at no cost
- An option to participate in the tax-deferred, 457B retirement plan (Deferred Compensation)
- A property tax credit of up to $2,500 per year for officers who live in the city
- Paid Time Off for vacation, medical (sick time), and holidays
- Employees who have been with the city for at least one year are eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid family and medical leave
- Driving Record: not to exceed five (5) points
- Poor Driving Record
- DWI/DUI conviction within the last two (2) Years
- Military Record: Separation less than Honorable
- Currently on Parole or Probation. All misdemeanor charges must be expunged
- Medical History: Must be mentally and physically qualified
- Integrity: Being truthful is utmost important; telling a lie or altering the truth at any stage of the process will disqualify your current and any future applications
- 1 Portrait Photo (color)
- Birth Certificate
- High School Diploma (or letter on school letterhead verifying graduation) or GED certificate with scores (must meet Maryland standards)
- Official High School Transcripts showing date of graduation (High School Transcripts should be mailed to you, but must be in a sealed envelope by the issuing school)
- College or University Diplomas and Official Transcripts if applicable (Transcripts are required regardless of graduating) Selective
- Service Registration Form (SSS Form 3A or copy from sss.gov)
- DD-214 Military Discharge Record (with type of discharge recorded)
- United States Naturalization Certificate (if applicable)
- Valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License
- Current Certified Driving Record
- Social Security Card One Full Credit Report (not a summary or score annualcreditreport.com)
COURT DOCUMENTS AS LISTED: (IF APPLICABLE)
- Divorce Decree
- Bankruptcy
- Ex Parte Order
- Legal Separation
- Financial Judgment
- Peace/Restraining Order
- Name Change Tax
- Lien/Release
- Adoption
- Protective Order
- Civil Suits
- Criminal Charges: Arrest or Citation
Hiring Process
We’ve revamped our hiring process, allowing us to reach more diverse applicants while removing the barriers that may keep qualified candidates from applying. The length of the hiring process depends on when you receive results from the National Testing Network-administered police exam, complete a fitness test, submit the materials you need for a complete background check, and pass a physical and psychological examination. Get started today.
Click here to start the process.
This is free for all applicants.
Sign up online to take the police exam at nationaltestingnetwork.com. They will offer a list of in-person testing sites near you, with the option to test on Tuesdays or Thursdays at Baltimore police headquarters located at 601 E. Fayette St. Baltimore MD 21201.
To become a Police Officer you must be in good physical condition. You will be required to take the following physical agility test during the hiring process:
- Barrier climb
- 300-foot run
- 2-flight stair climb
- 15-foot pull/drag of a 150lb individual
- Glock familiarization drill (demonstrate control and dry fire of a Glock .40 caliber pistol)
Your preliminary interview with a background investigator is one of the first steps in the background investigation part of the hiring process. The background investigator will continue to work with you during the investigation. You will also undergo a polygraph test.
The final stage of the hiring process includes a physical and psychological exam. We want to make sure you’re ready for the physical, emotional and ethical challenges of this career—and prepared to serve and protect the people of Baltimore.
Cadet Careers
Applicants must have at the least the following qualifications to begin the process:
- 18 years of age but less than 20 years and 6 months of age at the time of appointment
- Possess a high school diploma or an equivalent which is acceptable to the Maryland State Board of Education
- Possess a valid Driver’s License or a valid Maryland Provisional Driver’s License at the time of appointment
- Pass a physical agility test
- Successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation to include a polygraph examination, and physical
- Be of good moral character.
- Applicants do not need to be a Maryland resident
Starting yearly salary for Baltimore Police Cadets $37,845 and will advance to Police Officer Trainee salary at the age of 21.
- Retirement – Pension after 25 years of service is 60% of sworn member’s salary
- Health Insurance to include prescription, dental and vision
- Tuition Reimbursement
- All uniforms and equipment provided by the Department
- On hands training prior to entering the Police Academy
- Driving Record: not to exceed five (5) points
- Poor Driving Record
- DWI/DUI conviction within the last two (2) Years
- Military Record: Separation less than Honorable
- Arrest Record: Any Felony Convictions
- Currently on Parole or Probation. All misdemeanor charges must be expunged
- Medical History: Must be mentally and physically qualified
- Integrity: Being truthful is utmost important; telling a lie or altering the truth at any stage of the process will disqualify your current and any future applications
1. APPLICANTS WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS FOR THE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION.
2. APPLICANTS SHOULD ENSURE THEY HAVE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS AS WELL AS COPIES. THESE FORMS INCLUDE:
- Birth certificate or naturalization papers (If applicable)
- High school diploma, GED, college diploma, or official letter from the school verifying graduation date*
- Official high school transcripts and/or college transcripts *
- Selective service registration (males only)
- Form DD214 from the military *
- Marriage license and/or divorce decree (If applicable)
- Valid Driver’s license, Vehicle Registration, and Driver’s Insurance
- Vehicle Registration, and Driver’s Insurance (if applicable)
- Current certified driving record
- Social security card
- Credit Report
- Court documents
- Pay stub (If applicable)
- Certificates (If Applicable)
*APPLICANTS SHOULD START OBTAINING THESE PARTICULAR DOCUMENTS FIRST BECAUSE THEY SOMETIMES TAKE THE LONGEST TO OBTAIN.
Non-Sworn Careers
The ideal officer candidate:
- Is a U.S. citizen, or a permanent legal resident of the United States who: is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces; and has submitted an application for United States citizenship that is pending approval
- Possesses a valid driver’s license
- Is at least 20 years and 9 months of age upon beginning the Police Academy
- Has a high school diploma or GED
- Can pass a comprehensive background check
- Has a good driving record with no more than five points
- Has not had a DWI/DUI conviction within the last 24 months
- Has been Honorably Discharged if they served in the military
- Has no felony convictions
- Is not currently on parole or probation
- Has had any misdemeanor charges expunged
- No marijuana use within one year
- Can pass a mental and physical examination
- Is, above all, truthful throughout the hiring process
As of 1/3/25:
Starting Annual Salary: $64,416
Top officers can earn up to $121,645.
The BPD is an equal opportunity employer. Employees who have been with the city for at least one year are eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid family and medical leave.
The BPD offers a competitive package that includes:
- $10,000 signing bonus for new hires upon successful graduation
- $5,000/year additional student loan assistance for new hires
- Referral Bonus of $2,500-$7,500 per employee per hire
- A pension after 25 years of service (60% of sworn member’s salary)
- Health insurance with prescription, dental and vision
- Industry-leading wellness support
- 12 weeks of family and medical leave after a year of employment
- Six-month paid entry-level Police Academy training
- Pay incentives for associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees
- Equipment at no cost
- An option to participate in the tax-deferred, 457B retirement plan (Deferred Compensation)
- A property tax credit of up to $2,500 per year for officers who live in the city
- $12,000 Relocation Incentive ($1,000 per month for one year)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- $5,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year
General Questions
The Baltimore Police Department has a large volume of professional staff that support our sworn staff members. All open positions will be posted through the City of Baltimore’s Workday job board. Anyone who meets the minimum qualifications is encouraged to apply via the job board. Click here to view our current job openings.
You do not have to be a city resident of Baltimore to work for the Baltimore Police Department. We have professional and sworn staff members who commute to the Baltimore Police Department from many different counties and cities. However, members of the executive staff are required to live within the city of Baltimore.
All people, including the current City of Baltimore employees selected for any position must complete a 1-year mandatory probation. Employees are permitted to use personal leave, sick and safe leave, and accrued sick leave while serving their probationary period. The use of vacation leave during the 1-year probationary period is not permitted.
Civil Service positions are governed by the Civil Service Commission and the Civil Service Rules. Non-Civil Service positions are not bound by the Civil Service Commission or the Civil Service Rules. Non-Civil Service Positions are considered “at-will.” An at “at-will” employee, without the protections of the Civil Service Commission, may be discharges from their employment by the Appointing Authority, at any time with a cause or without a cause. Click here to learn more about the difference between Civil Service and Non-Civil Service.
The City of Baltimore offers a generous and competitive benefits package. Click here to learn more about our benefits.
The Baltimore Police Department offers tuition reimbursement to all professional staff members for enrolling and successfully completing college-level, work related accredited courses. You will be eligible to receive tuition reimbursement upon successful completion of your 1-year probationary period. Click here to view the Baltimore Police Department Policy 408 College Tuition Assistance/Educational Incentive Program.
The Baltimore Police Department follows the City of Baltimore AM 200-13 Telework Policy, which allows staff to participate in a hybrid work schedule (three days in the office and two days teleworking from an alternative location). To participate in a hybrid work schedule, professional employees must have completed teleworking agreement approved by their manager, agency head, and the Human Resources Section. If eligible, your teleworking schedule will be determined by your manager. Click here to view more information about the teleworking within a City of Baltimore agency.
You are able to transfer State or Local Membership Service to the Employees’ Retirement System. If you become employed by the City of Baltimore within 30 days after leaving employment with the State of Maryland or another local jurisdiction you must complete and return a Request for Service Record Form within one year of becoming an ERS member. Click here for more information about the City of Baltimore Employees’ Retirement System.
Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint must be successfully completed. The BPD follows Substance Abuse Policy AM 205-8 and is an alcohol and drug free workplace in the interest of safety for its employees and the general public. During the background process an investigator will be assigned to you, and you will be able to ask them any questions about the background process.
Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Do not attach your request for accommodation to the application. Click here to learn more about the Baltimore Police Department’s Policy 1701 Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity.
Veterans and Service Members
The Baltimore Police Department appreciates the service performed by members of the United States military. Veterans and service members are eligible for the following benefits:
- Military Veterans who have served 3 years of active duty can retire at 22 years at 60%
- 15 days of paid annual military leave for members of the Active Reserves and National Guard
- Eligible to receive full Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits while completing the 30-week academy
Volunteer Opportunities
Yes, we have openings for:
