Police Officer Candidate/Police Officer I | Gaithersburg Police Department

Police Officer Candidate/Police Officer I
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Job Number: FY2024-00907
Salary: $65,926.00 - $76,426.00
Closing Date: June 30, 2024

Applicants will be considered in the category for which they qualify, as outlined below:

POLICE OFFICER CANDIDATE (POC):

• Entry level candidates who have no previous law enforcement experience; or
• Candidates with law enforcement experience but who are not currently certified or have not been certified within the past 3 years as a police officer through the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission (MPCTC), including all non-Maryland certified Police Officers.

MARYLAND CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICER (PO I):

• Must be currently certified as a Police Officer through the MPCTC or hold an MPCTC certification issued within the last 3 years (you must have an MPCTC number); and
• Must have current or previous work experience as a law enforcement officer with a Maryland law enforcement agency.

A POC is a civilian position for the purpose of early-hiring (administrative, clerical work, and ride-alongs) and/or entry level training at a Maryland certified law enforcement academy only. A POC is required to satisfy all academic and physical training and testing at the law enforcement academy lasting several months. Upon successful completion of the law enforcement academy and MPCTC certification, a POC will be automatically promoted to the position of Police Officer I, and assume the job duties of a police officer.

A Maryland Certified Police Officer is hired at the rank of Police Officer I; this position may not attend a law enforcement academy, but is assigned to a minimum four-week Field Training Program.

The Gaithersburg Police Department does not run its own academy. Candidates hired for the POC position will be sent to a local law enforcement training academy that meets all of the requirements of the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission. The academy runs for approximately six to eight months; and continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the law enforcement training academy. Upon successful completion of the academy, the officer is assigned to the Field Training Program with experienced officers for a minimum of 14 weeks.

The POC and Police Officer I positions have a 12-month general probationary period from the date of hire, and a 24-month officer probationary period from the date of hire. These two probationary periods run concurrently.

Job Functions

The Gaithersburg Police Department provides law enforcement-related services to more than 71,000 residents; responsibility is shared with the Montgomery County Department of Police. City officers respond to calls for service as necessary and utilize partnerships to solve problems and to deal with issues affecting the safety and quality of life in all City neighborhoods.

As a Police Officer Candidate, you will:

• Attend and successfully complete a Maryland certified law enforcement training academy designed to provide training in police methods and procedures including but not limited to patrol functions, crime prevention, law enforcement, investigation, and identification techniques, equipment, legal obligations, police records and reports, first aid, weapons, effective and professional communication, emergency vehicle operation, and physical fitness.
• Receive instruction in the City of Gaithersburg Police Department's organization, chain of command, and rules, regulations, and procedures.
• May provide administrative or other clerical tasks in support of department functions and services when not attending academy training. 
• Participate in in-service and special training programs as assigned.

As a Police Officer I, you will:

• On an assigned shift, operate a patrol vehicle, bicycle, or walk to observe for violations of traffic laws, suspicious activities or persons, and disturbances of law and order.
• Respond to radio dispatches and answer calls and complaints; investigate crimes, traffic accidents, and domestic disputes.
• Issue traffic citations; serve warrants and summonses; make arrests and testify in court.
• Direct traffic, provide police escorts, perform residential and commercial checks.
• Fill out arrest records, prepare reports and records, transport prisoners.
• Participate in in-service and special training programs as assigned.