Police Officer, Entry Level

Position Description

This is a Full-Time, Permanent, Safety-Sensitive position with the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
A $10,000 signing bonus will be awarded to successful candidates.

• $1,000 will be payable upon hire
• $4,000 will be payable upon the successful completion of the Police Academy
• $5,000 will be payable upon the successful completion of the probationary period

Examples of Duties and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary level for all positions in this class. They are not intended to include all of the essential job functions of all positions in the class).

Safe operation of a motor vehicle during day and night time hours and in all types of weather while simultaneously observing people, places and things, and using a police radio to communicate.

Patrols and responds to a variety of criminal activities requiring law enforcement, for example, homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, property crimes, domestic violence, vice and narcotics crimes, and crimes by and against juveniles; evaluates situations and determines the most appropriate course of action.

Conducts overt and at times covert observation of people and places, day and night and in all types of weather, while patrolling on foot or in a vehicle, hear and recognize sounds and voices associated with emergencies; and takes proper measures to react and respond to audio information.

Standing, sitting, walking, and driving for prolonged periods of time.

Pursuing and subduing prisoners; controlling uncooperative individuals both orally and, when necessary through physical restraint; physical confrontations using the minimum force necessary to affect arrest.

Responds to the scene of land or water accidents; performs proper and necessary rescue functions; administers first aid; directs traffic; and performs other activities, during day and night hours and in all types of weather and environments under unpredictable conditions.

Work requires overtime, shift work, and standby when necessary.

Qualify, after training, with firearms (handgun and shotgun) and self-defense skills.

Completion of written reports.

Use of police radio to communicate.

Lift or drag an object (such as a human being); stretch, bend, crawl, run, jump, and perform other job-related physical activities.

Hear and recognize sounds and voices associated with emergencies and take proper measures to react and respond to audio information.

Responds to calls for service from citizens, meets and interviews citizens in their homes, places of business, on the street, or wherever required.

Performs administrative duties, including preparing and presenting court testimony; maintaining case files; and preparing and completing forms, narrative reports, and correspondence.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Ability to learn and apply police/law enforcement principles, practices, methods, techniques, and equipment in daily work situations.

Ability and willingness to perform work under adverse and at times dangerous conditions, in unpleasant environments, during daytime and nighttime hours, and for extended periods of time.

Ability to evaluate and respond to situations in a professional manner, appropriately diffuse difficult situations, and offer proper solutions.

Ability to operate motor vehicles and, after training, police-issued equipment.

Ability to interpret and follow rules, orders, regulations, written and oral instructions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with superiors, other employees, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school; successful completion of recruit training and probationary period; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.

NOTES:
Candidates must be at least 21 years of age by February 23, 2028.

U.S. Citizenship is required.

This is a Safety-Sensitive position and employees in this position are subject to Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) and Alcohol testing.

This position requires a thorough background investigation, as well as, a medical and psychological evaluation.

Supplemental Qualifications

SELECTION PROCESS:
Please fill out the applicant card by clicking on the following link here: web page.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of education and experience, score on the online entry level police officer exam, physical agility test, panel interview, and background investigation.
After a conditional offer of employment, applicants must undergo a polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, and pass a comprehensive medical examination as a condition of appointment.
The polygraph primarily focuses on domestic violence, criminal activity, previous employment, motor vehicle/criminal record, drug/alcohol usage, and integrity/unethical acts. Reasons for disqualification may include, but are not limited to: poor work history, poor driving record, criminal activity, falsification of application or other documents, failure to meet physical standards, inability to competitively complete any of the component parts of the selection process, or any other disqualifying causes determined by the Police Department and/or the Office of Personnel.

SCHEDULE OF CRITICAL DATES:

ONLINE ENTRY LEVEL POLICE OFFICER EXAM:
Once the announcement closes, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be emailed instructions and information on how to take the online entry level police officer exam.

**Applicants are required to pass both the online entry level police officer exam and physical agility test to move forward in the process.**

Unlike the physical agility test, you can only attempt the online entry level police officer exam once during this recruitment.

Online entry level police officer exam testing period is tentatively scheduled for September 25, 2026, through October 9, 2026.

The online entry level police officer exam is online (remote).
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take the online exam.
The vendor will email qualified applicants instructions on how to take the online exam, and a link to take the exam.

TIME LIMITS:
You will be given 3 hours to take the exam. In order to take the exam, you need the following:

• A private workspace with no one else present
• A strong internet connection
• A working computer/laptop
• An updated browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft)
• A working web camera
• Your current driver’s license

• Attention to Detail
• Conflict Management
• Conscientiousness
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Handling Stress
• Honesty and Integrity
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Problem Solving
• Professional Skills/Work Attitudes
• Reading Comprehension
• Social Judgment
• Written Expression (including grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary)