State of Maryland

A Police Officer III is the lead level of law enforcement work enforcing laws, rules and regulations governing the safety and protection of personnel and State property. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions, but do assign, review and approve the work of and train lower-level Police Officers or building guards.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Police Officer Supervisor or Police Chief I.  Employees may be assigned to day, evening, night or rotating shifts which may include holidays and weekends.  They may be subject to call-in and overtime based on staffing needs.  Employees may be required to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Police Officer III is differentiated from the Police Officer II in that a the Police Officer III assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Police Officers while the Police Officer II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Police Officer III is differentiated from the Police Officer Supervisor in that the Police Officer Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Police Officers.

Assigns, reviews and approves the work of lower-level Police Officers or building guards on an assigned shift;

Trains Police Officers and building guards regarding their assignments, procedures and practices;

Prepares reports regarding performance and disciplinary problems of Police Officers and security personnel;

Assigns Police Officers to specific duties on a designated security post;

Reviews all incident reports submitted by Police Officers for completeness and accuracy;

Ensures all agency regulations and instructions are enforced;

Reports any malfunctions of building mechanical equipment, safety hazards and condition of outdoor lighting;

Conducts detailed investigations of criminal incidents;

Testifies in court in connection with arrests made while on duty;

Responds to disturbances and emergencies;

Renders emergency first aid;

May direct the operation of a sophisticated electronic security control command center;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of Maryland State criminal, civil and traffic laws;

Knowledge of agency policies, rules and regulations concerning police duties;

Knowledge of investigative techniques;

Ability to train and assign, review and approve the work of Police Officers and building guards;

Ability to care for and use firearms;

Ability to understand, interpret and explain agency policies, rules and regulations concerning police duties;

Ability to prepare clear and accurate reports;

Ability to react quickly and calmly during emergency situations;

Ability to endure vigorous physical activity;

Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with employees, volunteers, supervisors, volunteer and civic organizations and the general public.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or high school equivalency certificate acceptable to the Maryland State Board of Education as described in the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission regulation.

Experience: Two years of experience as a certified law enforcement officer.

Notes:

1. The above educational requirement is set by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission in accordance with Public Safety Article, Section 3-207, Annotated Code of Maryland.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college or university in law enforcement, criminology or related social sciences for one year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a non-commissioned officer in Protective Service classifications or Law Enforcement specialty codes in the Military Police Officer field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.  

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a Police Officer certification as required by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission at the time of application.

2. Applicants for this classification, formerly certified by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission as a Police Officer within the past three years and are eligible for recertification at the time of appointment, meet the certification requirement for this classification.  The recertification criteria are listed in the Code of Maryland Regulations 12.04.01.07, available at the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission.

3. Employees in this classification may be required to possess or obtain a special police commission in accordance with Public Safety Article, Section 3-209, Annotated Code of Maryland.

1. Selection standards for Police Officer certification are established by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission in accordance with Public Safety Article, Section 3-207, Annotated Code of Maryland. These selection criteria are listed in detail in the Code of Maryland Regulations 12.04.01.04 and include the following:

U.S. Citizenship

Must be at least 21 years of age

Satisfactory background investigation, including a check of criminal history

Oral interview

Physical examination

Possession of a driver's license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, will be required to provide the employer with a phone number where they can be reached.

3. Employees in this classification may be required to bear firearms and to demonstrate practical knowledge and proficiency in the safe use and care of firearms on a periodic basis, as required by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission.

4. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit I- Sworn Police Officers classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.