Baltimore is Maryland’s largest city, with a population of over 560,000.1 The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) is one of the largest municipal police agencies in the country, with more than 2,000 sworn members.2 The BPD actively recruits qualified candidates for sworn officer positions, with an ongoing emphasis on local, minority, and female applicants. The steps to becoming a Baltimore police officer are outlined below.

Baltimore Police Officer Requirements

To be eligible for the BPD hiring process, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Be at least 20 years and nine months of age at the time of academy enrollment
  • Hold US citizenship, or be a lawful permanent resident who is an honorably discharged US Armed Forces veteran with a pending citizenship application
  • Possess a valid driver’s license
  • Hold a high school diploma or GED
  • Have a driving record with no more than five points
  • Have no DWI or DUI conviction within the past 24 months
  • Have received an honorable discharge from military service, if applicable
  • Not currently be on parole or probation
  • Have any misdemeanor charges expunged prior to submitting an application
  • Have not used marijuana within one year of applying
  • Be able to pass a comprehensive background check
  • Be able to pass a mental and physical examination
  • Agree to be truthful throughout the hiring process

The BPD hiring process begins with an online application. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are invited to complete the civil service written examination, followed by a physical agility test and preliminary interview for those who pass. Candidates who advance are then subject to a background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, and medical examination, with a formal interview rounding out the selection process. Those who clear all stages receive a conditional offer of employment and begin recruit training.

For more information about becoming a police officer, see 10 Steps to Becoming a Police Officer on our site. To apply, visit the Baltimore Police Department recruitment page.

Baltimore Police Department Academy

BPD recruits complete six months of paid basic training at the Training Academy of the Baltimore City Police Department. The program covers firearms training, ethics, community relations, victim rights, and animal control, among other required subjects.3 Following academy graduation, new officers complete field training in an assigned district before receiving a permanent patrol assignment.

Salary, Benefits, and Jobs Outlook

The BPD publishes the following salary ranges, effective January 1, 2026:3

RankEntryTop Step
Police Officer$67,019$121,878
Sergeant$94,641$139,476
Lieutenant$111,148$157,725

The BPD’s benefits package includes health coverage with prescription, dental, and vision options, along with paid time off for vacation, sick leave, and holidays. New recruits receive a $10,000 signing bonus upon successful academy graduation, up to $12,000 in city relocation assistance paid over 12 months, and up to $5,000 annually in student loan support. Officers who reside within Baltimore City limits are eligible for a property tax credit of up to $2,500 per year. Degree incentives are available for officers who hold an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, and the department offers a referral bonus of $2,500 to $7,500 per successful hire. Retirement benefits include a pension at 60% of salary after 25 years of service; a tax-deferred 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also offered.3

According to Projections Central, Maryland employment of police and sheriff’s patrol officers is projected to grow 9.1% from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 870 new positions added each year on average.4 The mean annual wage for police and sheriff’s patrol officers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metropolitan area is $80,220, with approximately 4,610 officers working in the region.5 Find current BPD job listings on our jobs board.

Career Advancement at the BPD

All BPD officers begin their careers in patrol. After three years of patrol service, officers are eligible to sit for the sergeant’s promotional examination.2 As of January 1, 2026, sergeants earn between $94,641 and $139,476 annually, and lieutenants between $111,148 and $157,725.3 The promotional path continues through captain and command-level ranks. Officers may also pursue specialty unit assignments–including SWAT, K-9, the Mounted Unit, the Aviation Unit, and the Marine Unit–after gaining sufficient patrol experience.

Cities and Police Departments Near Baltimore

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 4,610 police and sheriff’s patrol officers work in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metropolitan area.5 Law enforcement professionals in the region may also find opportunities with the Aberdeen Police Department, the Annapolis Police Department, the Bowie Police Department, and the Westminster Police Department. For more information about police departments across the state, see our Maryland page.

Additional Resources

BPD Contact

1. US Census Bureau, QuickFacts, Baltimore City, MD: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/baltimorecitymaryland/PST045224
2. Baltimore Police Department, About: https://www.baltimorepolice.org/about
3. Baltimore Police Department Recruitment: https://joinbaltimorepd.org/
4. Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections, Maryland: https://projectionscentral.org/longterm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0012580