Police Officer Qualifications

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To qualify as a Police Officer Candidate, applicants must meet the following conditions:

Must be a U.S. Citizen
Must have reached age 21 at the time of certification as a Police Officer
Must have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent (higher degree preferred)
Must possess or be able to acquire a valid driver’s
Must submit to and pass a written test, physical agility examination and an oral interview
- Fitness Test
- Written Test
Must successfully complete a thorough background investigation
Must never have committed, been involved in or been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor
Must be certified physically fit to perform the duties of a police officer
Must be certified through a licensed mental health care professional to determine whether the candidate is emotionally and mentally fit to perform the duties of a police officer
Must have vision which is correctable to 20/20, not to exceed 20/100 uncorrected, or must use extended wear contact lenses
Must not be color blind
Must be able to meet the physical demands required to perform the duties of a police officer
Must be willing to submit to a polygraph examination and drug screen as part of the background investigation
Must meet the prior drug usage policy as mandated by the State of Maryland, to wit:
No lifetime use or ingestion is allowed for:
- Heroin
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)

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