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*'''Captain''': The specific responsibilities of a Captain vary depending upon where they are assigned within the Agency. For example, a Captain may be a Troop Commander in the Field Operations Bureau or a Division Commander in one of the other Bureaus.
*'''Captain''': The specific responsibilities of a Captain vary depending upon where they are assigned within the Agency. For example, a Captain may be a Troop Commander in the Field Operations Bureau or a Division Commander in one of the other Bureaus.
*'''Lieutenant''': A Lieutenant is the Commander of each barrack. Other Lieutenants may command a unit.
*'''Lieutenant''': A Lieutenant is the Commander of each barrack. Other Lieutenants may command a unit.
*'''Sergeant Major''': The Sergeant Major is responsible for ensuring a clear channel of communication from the Troopers on the road to the Secretary of the Department. There is only one Sergeant Major in the Department of State Police who is designated by the Superintendent.
*'''First Sergeant''': First Sergeants are assistant barrack commanders or may perform administrative functions in other areas.
*'''First Sergeant''': First Sergeants are assistant barrack commanders or may perform administrative functions in other areas.
*'''Detective Sergeant''': Detective Sergeants are in charge of all criminal investigations at a barracks, or may be assigned to other investigative functions.
*'''Detective Sergeant''': Detective Sergeants are in charge of all criminal investigations at a barracks, or may be assigned to other investigative functions.

Revision as of 03:29, 5 November 2008

Maryland State Police
File:Maryland State Police.jpg
AbbreviationMSP
Agency overview
Formed1921
Employees2,429 (as of 2004)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionMaryland, USA
Size12,407 square miles
Population5,618,344 (2007 est.)[1]
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersPikesville, Maryland
Troopers1,596 (as of 2004)
Civilians833 (as of 2004)
Agency executive
  • Colonel Terrence Sheridan, Superintendent
Child agency
  • Maryland State Fire Marshal
Facilities
Barracks
22
  • Barrack A
  • Barrack B
  • Barrack C
  • Barrack D
  • Barrack E
  • Barrack F
  • Barrack G
  • Barrack G
  • Barrack I
  • Barrack L
  • Barrack M
  • Barrack N
  • Barrack O
  • Barrack P
  • Barrack Q
  • Barrack R
  • Barrack S
  • Barrack T
  • Barrack U
  • Barrack V
  • Barrack W
  • Barrack X
Website
http://www.mdsp.org

The Maryland State Police is the official state police force of the State of Maryland.

Organizational structure

The Maryland State Police is divided into a structure based on the United States Military, composed of:[2]

  • Department of State Police (commanded by the Colonel)
  • Bureaus (commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel)
  • Commands (commanded by a Major)
  • Troops (commanded by a Captain)
  • Divisions (commanded by a Captain or Civilian Director)
  • Barracks (commanded by a Lieutenant)
  • Sections (commanded by a Captain or Lieutenant or Civilian Director)
  • Units (commanded by a First Sergeant)

The Maryland State Fire Marshal is a member of the department and is charged with investigation and prosecution of suspicious fires and arson throughout the state.

Field Operations Bureau

The Field Operations Bureau comprises twenty-two (22) barracks within six (6) geographical troop areas. It further comprises the Aviation Division, Special Operations Command, and the Transportation Safety Command that includes the Automotive Safety Enforcement Division, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, and the Transportation Safety Division which are responsible for traffic control and criminal law enforcement. [3]

Homeland Security and Investigation Bureau

The Homeland Security and Investigation Bureau was established to provide investigative services, both overt and covert. It is divided into the Homeland Security Command and the Investigation Command.

Support Services Bureau

The Support Services Bureau is responsible for personnel administration including recrution, retention, training, retirement, and benefits. It maintains the physical and technical infrastructure for the department. The bureau is currently commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Robert McGainey. Divisions include Facilities Management, Electronic Systems, Information Technology, Motor Vehicle, Quartermaster, Human Resources, Training, and Promotional Testing.[4]

Office of Strategic Planning

The Office of Strageic Planning deals with all planning within the Department. The Bureau manages the Budget and Finance Division, Government Affairs Unit, Policing Division, Staff Inspections Section, and Planning and Research Division.

History

Prior to 1921, the state of Maryland had no state-wide police force. In that year, in response to increasing crime, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles organized a team of police officers who were given statewide jurisdiction to enforce traffic and criminal laws. They gained jurisdiction through deputization by county sheriffs. An associated plainclothes investigative unit became known as the "State Police Force." [5]

In 1935, the Maryland State Police was established as a separate unit of State government, funded out of revenues from the Department of Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. It was granted additional statewide police powers to enforce fish, oyster, game and other conservation laws and maintain a training school. It was made part of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services in 1970. [6]

In 1994, the Department of Maryland State Police was formed as a separate executive department; it was renamed the Department of State Police in 1995. [7] Recent Superintendents have included David B. Mitchell from 1995 to 2003, Ed Norris from 2003 to 2004, Thomas E. Hutchins from 2004 to 2007, and Terrance Sheridan since 2007.

Forty-one state troopers have been killed in the line of duty in the history of the force. [8]

Jurisdiction

The Maryland State Police has jurisdiction in the State of Maryland and may, in its discretion or at the request of any municipal agency, or when ordered by the Governor of the State of Maryland, exercise and enforce statewide laws without regard to jurisdiction within the boundaries of the State of Maryland. Otherwise, except under certain conditions as defined by statute, the agency does not enforce criminal laws within the jurisdiction of those incorporated municipalities which have their own police force.[9]

The Department also has the authority and jurisdiction to investigate allegations of police corruption concerning any municipal agency within the State of Maryland. The Department also enforces controlled substance laws throughout the state.

Uniform and equipment

The Maryland State Police uniform has remained the same since 1951[10]. The standard Trooper uniform consists of olive pants with a black stripe down the side. A tan colored button-up shirt is worn, with long sleeves in winter and short sleeves in summer. A black tie is worn with the long-sleeve shirt. Class A uniforms consist of a dress blouse and Sam Browne belt. Sergeants and corporals wear yellow chevrons showing their rank on both sleeves. In all cases, the shirttail is tucked in.

A felt Stetson hat is worn in the winter months with a long sleeve shirt and tie, and a straw Stetson is worn in the summer months with the short sleeve shirt.

The Maryland State Police, along with the Virginia State Police, the West Virginia State Police and the Massachusetts State Police, is one of the few police agencies to wear a badge directly over their shirt pocket.

Maryland State Police troopers are currently issued the Beretta 96D and the Remington 870. However as of May 2008 the agency is moving to the Beretta PX4 Storm as the primary sidearm.

Certain Troopers, based on experience are issued the following specialized weapons: Colt M16-A1 and the Colt AR-15.

Training[11]

The Maryland State Police Training Academy is in Sykesville, Maryland in the same location as the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission. The Academy is live-in and consists of twenty-six weeks of basic instruction.

Recruits take college-level academic classes for which they receive 45 college credits. Training includes instruction in the use of the agency's firearms as well as in criminal law, motor vehicle law and emergency vehicle operation. Vehicle training is conducted on the training commission's course.

Upon completion of training, troopers are assigned to one of twenty two barracks located around Maryland.

Barracks[12]

Barrack ID Location Area Served
Barrack A Waterloo Howard Co.
Barrack B Frederick Frederick Co.
Barrack C Cumberland Allegany
Barrack D Bel Air Harford Co.
Barrack E Salisbury Wicomico
Barrack F North East Cecil
Barrack G Westminster Carroll
Barrack H La Plata Charles
Barrack I Easton Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot
Barrack L Forestville Prince George's (south of U.S. 50)
Barrack M JFK Memorial Highway Cecil, Harford, Baltimore
Barrack N Rockville Montgomery
Barrack O Hagerstown Washington
Barrack P Glen Burnie Anne Arundel
Barrack Q College Park Prince Georges (north of Route 50)
Barrack R Golden Ring Baltimore
Barrack S Centreville Kent, Queen Annes
Barrack T Leonardtown St. Marys
Barrack U Prince Frederick Calvert
Barrack V Berlin Worcester
Barrack W Mc Henry Garrett
Barrack X Princess Anne Somerset

Rank structure

The Maryland State Police is a paramilitary organization with a rank structure modeled after the United States military. The ranks of Trooper First Class through Captains are based on promotional testing; Majors and above are appointed by the superintendent. [13]

  • Superintendent: The Superintendent of the Maryland State Police holds the rank of Colonel. He is the Secretary of the Department of State Police and a member of the Governor's Cabinet.
  • Lieutenant Colonel: There are three officers with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, each overseeing one of the three bureaus within the State Police.
  • Major: Majors are responsible for a command within the State Police.
  • Captain: The specific responsibilities of a Captain vary depending upon where they are assigned within the Agency. For example, a Captain may be a Troop Commander in the Field Operations Bureau or a Division Commander in one of the other Bureaus.
  • Lieutenant: A Lieutenant is the Commander of each barrack. Other Lieutenants may command a unit.
  • Sergeant Major: The Sergeant Major is responsible for ensuring a clear channel of communication from the Troopers on the road to the Secretary of the Department. There is only one Sergeant Major in the Department of State Police who is designated by the Superintendent.
  • First Sergeant: First Sergeants are assistant barrack commanders or may perform administrative functions in other areas.
  • Detective Sergeant: Detective Sergeants are in charge of all criminal investigations at a barracks, or may be assigned to other investigative functions.
  • Sergeant: Sergeants act as shift commanders or duty officers.
  • Corporal: Corporals are the first-line supervisors and are usually assigned as road supervisors within barracks. In the absence of a Sergeant, they may act as the duty officer.
  • Trooper First Class: Troopers who complete three years of satisfactory or exceptional service are promoted to the rank of TFC.
  • Trooper: Recruits successfully completing the academy and field training are appointed as troopers. Since they have no insignia sewn on their shirts, they are known as "Slick Sleeves" among their fellow Troopers.

Demographics[14]

  • Male: 90%
  • Female: 10%
  • White: 78%
  • African-American/Black: 19%
  • Hispanic: 2%
  • Asian: 1%

Specialized units

  • Drug Enforcement Division (DED)
  • Homeland Security and Intelligence Division (HSID)
  • Criminal Investigations Division (CID)
  • Executive Protection
  • S.T.A.T.E. Team (SWAT)
  • Aviation Command
  • D.A.R.E.
  • Accident Reconstruction
  • Canine Unit (K9)
  • Crime Lab
  • Media Communications
  • Computer Crimes
  • Automotive Safety Enforcement Division
  • Police Academy or Training Division
  • Motorcycle Unit
  • Licensing Division
  • Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division

Aviation Command

Maryland State Police operates a large aviation division focusing on medevac operations. Aviation also supports ground units of the state and local police. Funding comes from vehicle registration fees. [15]

As of October 2007 the Command operates 3 types of Aircraft[16]:

The aviation command was instrumental in the support of the first trauma center in the USA, the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore[17].

Trooper 2 based at Andrews Air Force Base is the busiest medevac helicopter in the nation.

Trooper 2 crash

On September 28, 2008, at approximately 12:30am, Trooper 2 (Eurocopter AS 365N1 Dauphin, N92MD) disappeared from radar and crashed with 5 people aboard in Walker Mill Regional Park in Prince George's County.[18] There are four confirmed fatalities, which included Pilot Stephen Bunker, TFC Mickey Lippy, EMT Tonya Mallard (Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department), and one of the two patients on board. This resulted in the grounding of all aircraft, until the cause is determined, with allied agencies covering the state.[19]

This is the fourth fatal crash in the history of the MSP Aviation Division. The most recent crash prior to this occurred on January 19, 1986.

Controversy

See also: New Jersey State Police

In the late 1990s, the Maryland State Police and New Jersey State Police agencies was rocked by a racial profiling scandal. Allegations were made that black motorists were being pulled over disproportionately on the New Jersey Turnpike and on Interstate 95, for no reason other than race alone. In New Jersey many rank-and-file state troopers testified that their supervisors had ordered them to engage in this practice. A nationwide scandal erupted, which ultimately resulted in a federal monitor watching over the New Jersey State Police. In a "consent decree," the New Jersey State Police agreed to adopt a new policy that no individual may be detained based on race, unless said individual matches the description of a specific suspect.[1][2] In Maryland the state reached a settlement to pay the victims for the incident.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.census.gov/popest/states/NST-ann-est.html 2007 Population Estimates
  2. ^ Organization of the Maryland State Police
  3. ^ Maryland State Police webpage - Field Operations Bureau
  4. ^ Support Services Bureau Details
  5. ^ Maryland State Police webpage - History of the MSP
  6. ^ Maryland State Police webpage - History of the MSP
  7. ^ Maryland State Police webpage - History of the MSP
  8. ^ Officer Down Memorial Page
  9. ^ See Md. Pub. Safety Code Ann. § 2-412.
  10. ^ State Police Uniforms
  11. ^ Maryland State Police Acadamy
  12. ^ Maryland State Police - Barracks
  13. ^ Maryland State Police webpage - Rank Structure
  14. ^ Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics, 2000: Data for Individual State and Local Agencies with 100 or More Officers
  15. ^ Maryland State Police Aviation Command
  16. ^ US civil aircraft register searches using "Maryland State Police" and "Maryland Department of State Police" as the Owner Name search parameters. Searches conducted 2007-10-31.
  17. ^ History of Shock Trauma at the UMM
  18. ^ Four Fatalities in State Police Medevac crash in Prince Georges County
  19. ^ Helicopter accident kills 4. The Daily Times Retrieved September 28, 2008.
  20. ^ Landmark Settlement Reached With Maryland State Police In "Driving While Black" Case ACLU. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
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