MdTA PD

[JDougal]

I am currently a junior at University of Maryland and considering LE after graduation. MdTA PD interests me, but I don't know anyone with information on the department. Their website is rather vague with pay information etc. Anyone out there an officer for this department or know anything about them? I'm interesting in their overall happiness with the department, pay level, thoughts on the academy, etc.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Metro174]

I know a few people that work there. Pay is pretty good and morale is OK. Morale was better before McIlhenny took over as chief. Retirement is the State LEOPS plan.

They have facilties in several parts of the state. Baltimore area at the port, FSK and tunnels, BWI, Harford County at the Hatem Bridge, AA County at the Bay Bridge and Charles County at the Nice Bridge. They are supposed to take I95 back from MSP from the City line to the Delaware line.

All in all it seems like a decent place to work.

[John from Maryland]

Talk around the water cooler is that MdTA PD is as or more para-military than MSP. Overall, however, they seem like a pretty good department from my limited experiences with them.

[gks1983]

I just got hired by the MdTA police and start the academy on Nov. 9th. From what Ive seen so far it looks like a great agency to work for, great pay, and benefits. Good luck

[irishlad2nv]

They are a great agency to work for, if you are looking to be in the best dressed uniforms in the State. But seriously, they are a very highy recognized Department, however they have a high turn over-rate due to many getting stationed at BWI, pulling security or standing outside all day directing traffic. Many use them as a stepping stone to move onto a department where they can have more resources as a LEO.Congrats on getting hired GKS.

[mattph4716]

If I stay in the Maryland area I was thinking of trying to lateral to them. Pay is better than local agencies and equipment is top notch. Most people I talk to there like the job for the most part. I really couldn't imagine myself strolling around BWI on a segway though.

[irishlad2nv]

MdTA does not accept Laterals as far as I know. You must complete their academy, same as if you were to apply to MSP. Where do you work now, that you would want to leave and go work for them? That would almost be taing a step-back to me?

[Metro174]

MdTA has been taking laterals for a while now and are actually actively seeking out officers from other agencies. So much so that they actually had recruitment posters at CBIF.

[bcopd79]

MdTA on last check WAS accepting qualified lateral officers.

Best of luck.

[JDougal]

gks1983, can you tell me anything about the hiring process? Any details on the process you could give would be very helpful. Are you excited to start academy? Where is their academy held? Good Luck and please keep me updated with how things are going!

[Metro174]

Their acaddemy is in Dundalk at their headquarters. It's near the base of the Key Bridge. I'm sure it's changed in structure since I attended in 1997.

[gks1983]

The hiring process is as follows
1. Interest Night- They tell you about the agency, App. process and you fill out a short questionare
2. written test- 50 question basic knowlage test
3. physical fittness test- situps, pushups, sit and reach and 1.5 mile run
4. background/polygraph- A LOT of questions. Be Honest
5. Pre employment physical. - A trip to there doctor

I cant wait to start the academy!

good luck and if you have anymore questions just ask

[JDougal]

Can you give me any details from the interest night? Topics discussed etc? Also how hard/selective was the entire process? Again good luck on the 9th.

[gks1983]

They have it about once a month and the dates are listed on there. They tell you about the agency, pay, benefits, the app. process, and you fill out a short app. As long as you pass all the steps theres no reason you shouldnt get hired. I forgot to tell you that after the background you have an oral interview.

[JDougal]

Sounds pretty much like any other agency I have looked into thus far. Did they go over at all how your "post" is determined? Does everyone start at BWI doing "security/traffic" work?

[gks1983]

They did not go over gow you get your post but from what ive heard from other people who work for the agency most new officers go to BWI.

[Metro174]

Probably half go to BWI at first. Top officers in the class are posted at the facilty of their choice if there is a need. From what I've heard, bottom of the class goes to the Nice Bridge.

[Hookem']

gks1983 -

How are you making out so far in the academy?

[gks1983]

The real first day was hard, very stressful. Now its a little easier and fun. But Im ready for it to be over.

[johnnyReb]

Could you post some academy info?

Thanks

[JDougal]

I would also appreciate any information that you can provide about your time at the academy thus far.

[gks1983]

Day 1- all paperwork
Day 2- first two hours was alot of yelling and push ups. Then we did drill and cermoney(I cant spell) for a hour then more yelling and push ups. after that we were in the class room.
Day 3 to present- the first 15-20 mins. is roll call which usually involves push ups or other exersise. then we do class work all day. On mon, wed and fri we do pt for the last hour and a half which always includes running and other pt things like push up, sit ups ect.

The class work is alot to take in but it isnt to hard yet.

[Hookem']

I would also appreciate any information that you can provide about your time at the academy thus far.

The main thing with para-military organizations is to maintain a military bearing ie; keeping your uniform sharp, brass and shoes polished, and giving salutes to required individuals when necessary. Keep your mouth shut and do as told. Give everything your best effort, keep your nose clean, and study the material. Everything else will fall into place.

[JDougal]

Thanks Hookem for the info.

gks1983- How are things going? I forgot to ask, but how long is your academy?

[mattph4716]

Anyone know more about the lateral process? Salary for laterals?

[jchughes05]

I was hired by the MdTA Police back in '04 but resigned shortly after. They do have an intense training regimen, but its only M-F, weekends off (and hopefully spent studying). I am currently in process for Harford Co Sheriff's Office and the USSS UD.

[JDougal]

Would you mind telling us your reasoning for resigning?

[jchughes05]

Does it matter? I decided it wasn't for me at the time. I still had some issues I needed to take care of before I could commit to something like that.

[mattph4716]

I heard that MDTA just signed the order that everyone is getting take home cars....any truth to that? I also heard that there is no limits to where you can go with it, that they have people that live in PA and DE that take it home.

[irishlad2nv]

That would be something. When I was in Maryland (carroll county) we could live in a 50 mile Air Radius. So a lot of the guys lived above Gettysburg, York, etc.

[JDougal]

Does it matter? I decided it wasn't for me at the time. I still had some issues I needed to take care of before I could commit to something like that.

Sorry didn't mean to upset you, I was just wondering if it's something against the department. I wasn't sure if they had done something that wasn't on the up and up, or something else that turned you off.

Again I apologize.

[JDougal]

I heard that MDTA just signed the order that everyone is getting take home cars....any truth to that? I also heard that there is no limits to where you can go with it, that they have people that live in PA and DE that take it home.


I wonder if anyone can shed any light on this. Anyone w/ MdTA know anything about this. This could greatly influence my ranking of possible agencies to apply to.

[jchughes05]

It's true, they are getting take-homes. My mom writes up the contracts for the MdTA Police at the Port of Baltimore and she knows a lot of the brass there.

As for resigning, it wasnt anything they did. It was a decision I made, in rash, that I wish I hadn't, but I dont have any regrets.

[JDougal]

So will it only be the units stationed at the Baltimore Tunnel or throughout?

Does anyone know the average academy class size, and out of them how many of them do NOT go to BWI?

[Hookem']

So will it only be the units stationed at the Baltimore Tunnel or throughout?

Does anyone know the average academy class size, and out of them how many of them do NOT go to BWI?

It seems everyone will be getting cruisers. Starting with Patrol Officers first.

From what I hear Their class sizes are fairly large averaging from 30 -50 recruits. Quite a bit go to BWI though.

[mattph4716]

From what I just heard the take home cars are getting phased in and everyone will have them within 2 years. Also, they got a 2% cost of living increase and a 6% raise. Not bad at all....

[jchughes05]

My class was about 50, but one was going through and when he finished he made the lateral to Bel Air Police, because they only hire laterals.

[raven52]

Can anyone provide the positive and negatives of this department. Thanks...

[acebpd0304]

your message here

[acebpd0304]

your message here

[JDougal]

What is the lateral process like for this department?

[Glockcop04]

yes cars are coming but theyre not here yet and they havent came out with the rules/regs on them yet. as of now no car till ur off probation (2yrs from day 1 of academy for new hires. and 1 yr for laterals). its gonna take 3 years or more to comepletly phase in the cars. the highway should be first and so on...BWI will be last. about 1/2 the class goes to BWI out of the academy.

[jchughes05]

I currently work with JMT as a field surveyor and we've been working with MdTA and SHA in the construction of the NEW MDTA Police Training Center off of 695 (not near the HQ).

[normy0]

Out of curiousity what are the schedules like? Eights, tens, tweleves? Thanks in advance.

[JDougal]

I believe they work perm. 8 hour shifts. 7-3,3-11, 11-7. I'm not 100% on this, but that's what I've heard.


Does anyone know about the availability of OT with this dept.?

[Hookem']

^^ There is quite a bit.

[Glockcop04]

BWI and the commercial vehicle unit work 12 hr shifts. all other places work perm 8's.

[jchughes05]

I emailed my former Corporal (now Sergeant) from MdTA PD (he now works the Tunnel at 895) and he told me that they do hire laterals, and you do not have to do their academy. You do a 6-8wk comparitive compliance session (reports, paperwork stuff).

[jvegas]

they actually just started a lateral class.. i believe last month

[jchughes05]

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[jchughes05]

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[Chiller]

1. Has anyone gone thru the lateral process? I'm curious as to what type of academy they run for lateral officers.

2. How do they choose where you get stationed?


May call recruiting but I know how that works

[JDougal]

I believe they run a short compliance academy for laterals. From what I've heard its a rather short process. I'm not sure how they decide where you are stationed as far as laterals are concerned.

[kirts410]

I go for the orientation july 5th 2007 . Wish me luck . Any questions you may have after lemme know .

[jvegas]

I go for the orientation july 5th 2007 . Wish me luck . Any questions you may have after lemme know .


you will find that the recruiting and selection unit (Ofc Tufts and Sgt Wilson) are extremely professional individuals. be honest! before you attend the orientation, sit down, and really reflect about your past and try to get dates in order (drug use if any, accidents, thefts, etc...). you will need to supply that information that night. i will tell you that their written test (also given that night) was the toughest of 3 i took elsewhere. really make sure your answers are marked correctly on the scantron. dont over analyze the questions (usually your gut instinct is correct). not to scare you, but if you fail this test, you must wait 90 days to re-apply. i go for my last testing procedure next week. i already feel at home with this agency.

you can PM me if youd like more information on the processing that i have gone through thus far.

[kirts410]

Thanks for the help . Ill try to get my dates down . I can't really remember exactly but ill try .

[Ad422]

Its worth the time thinking of the exact dates, and remember be honest. Chances are they know every detail already

[cashton]

Everyone is talking about lateral transfers....is this MD certified officers only or do they accept other state certs on a state by state basis?

Also, besides crash investigations and traffic control, is there much opportunity or even specialized units for drug interdiction or is it what you make of your time?

[jvegas]

Everyone is talking about lateral transfers....is this MD certified officers only or do they accept other state certs on a state by state basis?

Also, besides crash investigations and traffic control, is there much opportunity or even specialized units for drug interdiction or is it what you make of your time?


there are plenty of specialized units. as far as i know, they only accept MD laterals.