Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 3-209
Certification of police officers
Effective Oct 1, 2025Added by Acts 2003, c. 5, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2015, c. 305, § 2, eff. July 1, 2015; Acts 2016, c. 8, § 5; Acts 2016, c. 519, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2016; Acts 2018, c. 671, § 1, eff. July 1, 2018; Acts 2019, c. 489, § 1, eff. October 1, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 490, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019; Acts 2021, c. 59, § 4, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 26, § 13; Acts 2025, c. 142, § 1, eff. April 22, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 261, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 262, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.State of Maryland
(a) The Commission shall certify as a police officer each individual who:
(1)
- (i) satisfactorily meets the standards of the Commission; or
- (ii) provides the Commission with sufficient evidence that the individual has satisfactorily completed a training program in another state of equal quality and content as required by the Commission;
- (2) submits to a mental health screening by a licensed mental health professional;
- (3) submits to a physical agility assessment as determined by the Commission;
- (4) submits to a criminal history records check in accordance with § 3-209.1 of this subtitle; and
(5)
- (i) is a United States citizen; or
- (ii) subject to subsection (b) of this section, is a permanent legal resident of the United States and an honorably discharged veteran, provided that the individual has applied to obtain United States citizenship and the application is still pending approval.
- (b) The certification of a police officer who fails to obtain United States citizenship as required by subsection (a)(5)(ii) of this section shall be terminated by the Commission.
- (c) The Commission may certify as a police officer an individual who is not considered a police officer under § 3-201(f)(3) of this subtitle if the individual meets the selection and training standards of the Commission.
- (d) Each certificate issued to a police officer under this subtitle remains the property of the Commission.
- (e) As a condition of certification, a police officer shall submit to a mental health assessment every 2 years and an annual physical agility assessment to establish continuing fitness to carry out the officer's assigned duties as a police officer.
- (f) Prior cannabis use is not a disqualifier for certification as a police officer.
Added by Acts 2003, c. 5, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2015, c. 305, § 2, eff. July 1, 2015; Acts 2016, c. 8, § 5; Acts 2016, c. 519, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2016; Acts 2018, c. 671, § 1, eff. July 1, 2018; Acts 2019, c. 489, § 1, eff. October 1, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 490, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019; Acts 2021, c. 59, § 4, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 26, § 13; Acts 2025, c. 142, § 1, eff. April 22, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 261, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 262, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.