State Trooper

All Maryland State Police Trooper and Cadet applications must include the submission of additional required forms:

• A notarized Authorization for release of information - PDF  
• A Military questionnaire and supplemental background sheet - PDF  
• A notarized Truthfulness Statement - PDF 
• An Essential Job Functions Questionnaire - PDF 
• A Drug Testing and Employment Agreement - PDF 

The Maryland State Police Applicant Polygraph Screening Booklet - PDF . This needs to be emailed or mailed to the Recruitment & Selection Unit, Maryland State Police Human Resources Division, 1201 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville MD 21208.

Selected applicants attend the 26-week MSP Training Academy in Sykesville, MD, living on-site Monday–Friday. Training is rigorous, with military-style discipline, daily inspections, and physical conditioning.

Recruits complete college-level courses (earning 45 credits), master emergency driving, firearms (Glock 17 and shotgun), defensive tactics, and officer survival. They train in sobriety testing, Maryland law, first aid, report writing, and mental resilience.

Graduates are among the nation’s most highly trained officers. After the Academy, new Troopers serve at one of 23, complete eight weeks of field training, and then begin independent patrol with statewide authority.

The curriculum includes:

• Academics: College-level classes, earning 45 college credits.
• Driving: Training in emergency vehicle operation under stressful conditions.
• Firearms: Two weeks with the Firearms Training Unit, mastering the Glock Model 17 9mm handgun and patrol shotgun.
• Tactics & Survival: Defensive tactics (including boxing and martial arts) and officer survival skills.
• Physical Fitness: Daily running and pushing physical and mental limits to an unprecedented degree.
• Certifications: Standardized Field Sobriety Test administration for impaired drivers and Maryland State Certified First Responder to aid the sick and injured.
• Law & Reporting: In-depth knowledge of Maryland's Criminal and Motor Vehicle Laws and proficiency in completing reports using a personal computer.

Graduates will report to one of the 23 State Police Barracks, where their authority will be statewide, exceeding that of local and county police officers. For eight weeks, an experienced Field Training Trooper (FTT) will supervise them, allowing them to apply their Academy education and training to real police situations. After satisfactory completion of field training, they will begin independent patrol duties.

• Enforcing the criminal and motor vehicle laws of the State of Maryland
• Investigating traffic accidents
• Investigating and completing criminal investigations
• Providing basic medical attention to ill and injured persons
• Issuing traffic citations and warnings
• Interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects
• Writing field reports
• Arresting and processing suspects
• Preparing cases for court and testifying in court
• Working with community members and other government agencies

To be accepted into the application process, all individuals  must meet the following conditions: 

1. Be a United States Citizen or a permanent legal resident who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces AND has applied to obtain citizenship. For more information regarding qualifications of US citizenship, please visit the Citizenship Resource Center.
2. Possess a High School Diploma or GED (If you have a High School Diploma from a foreign country, you must have your diploma checked for equivalency.)
3. Possess a valid Driver's License in any state and a satisfactory driving record. Current driving record cannot exceed 3 points. If you exceed this requirement, please wait to apply until you are at or below 3 points.
4. Binocular far and near visual acuity, with or without correction, must be 20/20.
5. Be at least 20 but not older than 59 and be in excellent physical condition.
6. Adhere to our tattoo policy.
7. Have a good reputation and sound moral character.
8. Do not have any current court orders relating to domestic violence.
9. Be truthful in every stage of the application process.

Note: To be eligible for initial certification as a trooper, individuals must not have illegally used a controlled dangerous substance (other than marijuana) within three years of applying. Marijuana use is prohibited one year prior to applying.

While in the Academy: $59,346

After graduation from the Academy: $69,360​​, plus shift differential, uniform allowance, overtime, and other incentives.  

• An Associate of Applied Science degree in Police Science can be earned from the Academy at no cost to the employee.
• Each Trooper is assigned an agency take-home vehicle (privilege subject to department policy).
• MSP offers financial incentives for bilingual skills, fitness achievements, and college degrees, provided conditions are met.
• All uniforms and equipment are provided by the Department.

• Mandatory Retirement: Troopers are required to retire at age 60.
• Voluntary Retirement: Voluntary retirement is permitted after 25 years of creditable service or at age 50.
• Military Service Credit: Troopers with prior military service may receive up to 5 years of MSP time credited towards retirement after completing 10 years of creditable service with the Department.

Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP): Troopers with at least 25 years but less than 32 years of creditable service in the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System have the option to participate in DROP - PDF.