Entry Level Police Officer 71st Academy

Salary: $71,351.00 Annually
Location : Frederick Police Department 100 East All Saints Street Frederick, MD 21701
Job Type: Police Officer - Entry-Level
Job Number: POS-71-2026
Department: Frederick Police Department
Division: Personnel Unit
Opening Date: 11/17/2025
Closing Date: 7/27/2026 12:00 AM Eastern


Description


This position is a municipal police officer with a full-service, community-oriented police department. The applicant will conduct law enforcement and peacekeeping activities. The applicant establishes strong involvement with the community, using problem-solving to address issues of concern. The person in this position is responsible for crime prevention and repression, traffic law enforcement, protective patrol services, arbitration in the neighborhood and family disputes, apprehension and arrest (or citation or warning) of criminal law violators, and recovery of stolen property. Training is typically provided during normal work hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Training scheduling may include evenings, weekends, and holidays on an as-needed basis. Once trained, normal work hours are based on an 11.5-hour day with the officer being off every other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regular scheduling may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Example of Duties
The following duties are considered essential for this job classification.
• Patrol the assigned area of the city in a car, on a motorcycle, or on foot
• Enforce local, State, and Federal laws
• Respond to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents, and other required emergencies
• Prepare reports of arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed
• Conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incidents, vehicle accidents, and deaths
• Make arrests
• Interrogate suspects and interview victims, complainants and witnesses
• Coordinate and conduct detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, and narcotics violations
• Testify and present evidence in court
• Provide backup assistance for other officers and personnel
• Collect, preserve, and maintain evidence, found property, and property for safekeeping
• Assist and advise motorists and enforce traffic safety laws by issuing citations and warnings
• Search, fingerprint, and transport prisoners
• Respond to demonstrations, riots, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, and other extremely hazardous situations
• Maintain contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the public
• Serve warrants and subpoenas
• Observe, monitor, direct, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions
• Check buildings for physical security
• Administer first aid.

In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties Section, each employee in this classification may perform the following duties. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.
• Perform undercover and surveillance activities
• Develop and maintain good relationships with informants and contacts, which may be helpful in criminal investigations
• Prepare search and arrest warrants
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses
• Make presentations to citizens and groups
• Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties
• May serve as a member of a Special Response Team
• May serve as Field Training Officer, supervising and training new personnel
• Coordinate departmental training programs
• Prepare, submit, and administer grants
• Conduct specialized crime prevention programs
• Seize assets through the preparation and service of asset seizure documentation
• Provide training for department personnel in such areas as defensive tactics, use of firearms, defensive driving, crowd control, use of chemical agents, and other specialized functions
• Collect, analyze, and disseminate criminal street gang information
• Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.

Work is performed independently in accordance with departmental policies, rules, standard practice, and established precedents. The applicants work under infrequent supervision. Deviations from policy are normally referred to the next higher command level; however, the applicant may have to evaluate and initiate action if command-level direction is not available. Work involves an element of personal danger and the authority to use deadly force as necessary.

Qualifications
High School Diploma or GED
• United States citizenship or a permanent legal resident who is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and has applied for citizenship. This is outlined in 12.04.01.04.
• Must be 21 years of age by graduation from the Academy
• Possess physical ability to pass the agility components of the selection process
• Be able to successfully complete a written examination
• Possess physical and mental ability to meet medical, drug, and psychological screening requirements
• Possess an excellent moral character and background that will withstand a comprehensive background investigation, and subsequent polygraph(s)

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES:
• Possess a valid Driver's License (at least equivalent to Maryland Class C)
• Possess the ability to receive certification as a police officer from the Maryland Police Training Commission

OTHER REQUIREMENTS/SKILLS:
• Pass in-depth background investigation.
• Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of firearms
• Think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately
• Maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations
• Learn, understand, and interpret laws, rules, regulations, and policies
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports
• Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system
• Demonstrate proficiency in the exercise of defensive tactics
• Handle an automobile in high speed and emergency situations
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to speak effectively to individuals and groups
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times.

OTHER DESIRABLES:
• Bilingual
• College Degree

Physical Requirements
Make precise arm-hand positioning movements and maintain static arm-hand position, such as when sighting and shooting a firearm

• Direct traffic requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand movements

• Use sufficient strength to enable the incumbent to sprint, jump, or physically overcome resistance when chasing or apprehending suspects
• Coordinate the movement of more than one limb simultaneously, such as when using a hand radio while driving a vehicle or searching a building with a firearm drawn, flashlight on, and opening and closing doors
• Bend or stoop repeatedly and continuously over time, such as getting in and out of a patrol car or gathering evidence at crime scenes
• Patrol officers wear a 15-20-pound utility/gun belt, which requires continuous support from the stomach and lower back muscles
• A patrol officer typically spends 7 - 8 hours per day driving a vehicle, which requires continuous support of lower back muscles
• Climbing ladders and searching rooftops requires lifting arms above shoulder level and working at heights greater than ten feet
• Searching for suspects or lost people may require walking over rough, uneven, slippery, or rocky surfaces, including fields, parks, hillsides, and creeks
• An officer is required to listen for alarms, screams, breaking glass or other suspicious and unusual noises that may require investigation
• Move heavy objects such as equipment (50 pounds and more), and lift and carry injured or intoxicated people for short and long distances
• Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements; tolerate very hot and very cold temperatures
• Sit for extended periods of time and may or may not be able to change positions such as when sitting in a patrol vehicle, or performing surveillance
• Foot beat and search activities require walking for extended periods of time, unable to stop, sit or rest at will
• Crowd and traffic control duties require standing for extended periods of time, unable to sit or rest at will.
Frederick Police Department

Police Officer Salary and Benefits

(FY2026)

• Base salary of $66,066 for entry-level officers effective July 1, 2025.
• Effective July 1, 2025 Lateral officers (MPTC Certified or Out of State Comparative Compliance) salary is $66,066-$75,392, based on full years of certification
• Receive full pay and benefits during your Academy
• Receive Cost of Living increases as awarded by the Mayor and Board
• Uniforms and equipment are furnished, and an allowance is provided for uniform cleaning and the purchase of shoes
• Permanent shifts- no rotations between days & evenings!
• Overtime pay at the rate of time and a half (1½) through the rank of Sergeant
• Paid vacations (time is accrued based on years of service)
• Paid off-duty court appearances
• Fifteen(15) paid leave days annually for current Military Reservists or National Guardsman
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• 22-year retirement plan at 60% for the highest three consecutive years out of the last 10 before retirement
• Eleven (11) Paid Holidays annually
• Bereavement and Sabbatical Leave
• Available Supplemental Savings Program, Deferred Compensation Program, Credit Union membership, and Savings Bond Program
• Paid life insurance coverage, with full Federal and State benefits for in-the-line-of-duty deaths
• Contributory basic health insurance or HMO plans, and non-contributory disability coverage and Life Insurance Plan
• Full coverage under Workmen's Compensation Laws
• Bi-Lingual Pay upon certification exam
• Night shift differential

01


Do you possess a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you a United States Citizen? If you are NOT a U.S. citizen, are you a permanent legal resident who is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces AND has applied for citizenship? his is outlined in COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) 12.04.01.04.

• Yes I am a U.S. citizen
• I am not a U.S. Citizen, but I am a permanent legal resident who is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces AND has applied for citizenship?
• I do not meet these criteria

03


Will you be 21 years of age by the end of the 71st Police Academy (Graduation Date is 07/09/2027)

• Yes
• No

04


Have you ever used any of the following illegal drugs? (Heroin, LSD, PCP)

• Yes
• No

05


Have you ever sold any illegal drugs or sold marijuana?

• Yes
• No

06


How did you find out about the Frederick Police Department Job Opening? (i.e., Billboard, Job Fair, Govjobs.com, or other website (Please state which website), etc.)
Required Question