About the role
What you'll actually doA career as an Annapolis Police Officer is about more than enforcing laws. It's about being the first person someone calls on the worst day of their life, and showing up with judgment, compassion, and the training to make things right.
The Annapolis Police Department serves a community of approximately 40,000 residents plus the millions who visit our historic downtown every year. As a sworn officer, you'll be assigned to patrol a section of the city — typically Eastport, Inner West Annapolis, or one of two downtown beats — and serve as the primary uniformed presence in your area.
You'll respond to calls for service that range from disturbance complaints and traffic incidents to mental health crises and serious crimes. You'll also do significant community work: walking your beat, building relationships with residents and businesses, attending Ward meetings, and visiting schools. The job is unpredictable, sometimes physically demanding, and consistently meaningful.
Entry-level officers complete a 24-week academy at the Maryland Police Training Commission (paid full-time during training), followed by 16 weeks of field training with a senior officer before patrolling independently. Most officers advance to specialized assignments — K-9, detective, marine unit, school resource — within 3 to 5 years.
Key responsibilities
A typical weekPatrol your assigned beat and respond to calls
Conduct preventive patrol of your sector, respond to dispatched calls, and make proactive stops. You'll handle anywhere from 8 to 20 calls per shift depending on the day.
Build relationships with the community you serve
Walking foot patrol, attending community meetings, working with neighborhood associations, knowing the business owners and residents on your beat. The best officers know names — not just addresses.
Investigate incidents and document thoroughly
Preserve evidence, interview witnesses, write detailed reports. Strong writing matters — your reports are read by detectives, prosecutors, judges, and sometimes the public.
De-escalate & respond to people in crisis
A significant portion of your shifts will involve people experiencing mental health, addiction, or domestic crises. All officers complete 40 hours of Crisis Intervention Training and have access to co-response with mental health professionals.
Testify in court
Cases you handle may go to trial weeks or months later. You'll testify in District Court, Circuit Court, and occasionally federal court. Court time counts as on-duty pay.
Wear and operate a body-worn camera every shift
APD has 100% BWC coverage. Cameras are activated at the start of every encounter and are part of our commitment to transparency and officer accountability.
Qualifications
Required & preferredRequired to apply
- 21 years old by the date of academy graduation
- U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license (any state)
- No felony convictions
- No DUI within the past 3 years
- Vision 20/40 or correctable
- Able to pass background & medical/psych exams
- Ability to read, write & speak English fluently
Preferred (boosts your application)
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree (any field)
- Bilingual — especially Spanish, Mandarin, Korean
- Military service (DD-214 honorable)
- Prior law enforcement or EMT certification
- Maryland Police Training Commission certified
- Community service or volunteer work
- Annapolis or Anne Arundel County resident
- Demonstrated leadership in any context
Salary & career growth
Step schedule · POL-1 through SergeantOfficer pay schedule · FY26
3% annual COLA · merit-based step increases| Step | When you reach it | Base salary | + Shift diff & OT |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL-1 · Step 1 START | Academy entry · day 1 | $62,400 | ~ $74K all-in |
| POL-1 · Step 3 | After 2 years | $68,100 | ~ $82K all-in |
| POL-2 · Senior Officer | After 5 years | $76,800 | ~ $94K all-in |
| POL-2 · Detective | 5+ yrs · specialty selection | $82,500 | ~ $98K all-in |
| POL-3 · Sergeant | Promotion · 7+ years typical | $94,200 | ~ $112K all-in |
| POL-4 · Lieutenant | Promotion · 12+ years typical | $108,500 | ~ $124K all-in |
Benefits & what we offer
Total comp goes well beyond salaryBuilt for a long career.
Annapolis offers a full benefits package that's competitive with state and federal law enforcement, plus the security of a municipal pension that vests at 5 years.
Health & dental
Full medical, dental, vision. City pays 85% of premiums for employee + family.
Defined-benefit pension
Retire after 20 years with 50% of final salary. After 25 years, 62.5%.
Tuition assistance
Up to $5,250/yr toward an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Generous leave
Year 1: 12 vacation, 12 sick, 12 holidays. Grows to 24+ vacation by year 10.
Take-home vehicle
After 3 years of service, eligible officers receive a take-home patrol vehicle.
Wellness & mental health
On-duty gym, free EAP counseling, peer support team, fitness incentive.
Paid academy
24-week academy at MPTC. Full salary & benefits from day one. No tuition.
Overtime opportunities
Significant OT available — special events, court, voluntary shifts. Pays 1.5×.
Specialty units
K-9, Marine, SWAT, Detective, School Resource, Traffic. Apply after year 2.
What the hiring process looks like
Realistic timeline · ~16 weeks totalSubmit your application online
Complete the city's application portal — about 30–45 minutes. You'll need work history, education, references, and a personal statement (250–500 words on why you want to be an Annapolis officer).
Written examination (NTN PoliceCare)
National Testing Network's standardized police entrance exam. Tests reading, writing, and reasoning. Approximately 3 hours. You can take it at any NTN test site nationally — fee is reimbursed if you continue.
Physical agility test
1.5-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump. Pass/fail to Cooper Institute standards adjusted for age and gender. We hold the PAT at the Pip Moyer Rec Center on a Saturday morning.
Oral interview panel
A 60-minute interview with three panel members — typically a sergeant, a senior officer, and a civilian community member. Behavioral questions, scenario response, and discussion of your background.
Background investigation
The longest step. An assigned background investigator will contact references, employers, neighbors, and complete a polygraph. Be honest from the start — almost everyone has something in their history; what disqualifies is dishonesty about it, not the thing itself.
Medical & psychological exam
Comprehensive medical exam at our contracted clinic, plus an MMPI-2 psychological evaluation and a clinical interview with a licensed psychologist. The city pays for both.
Conditional offer of employment
If everything checks out, you'll receive a conditional offer. You'll sign your offer letter, complete onboarding paperwork, and get fitted for uniforms and equipment.
Academy starts
24-week academy at the Maryland Police Training Commission in Sykesville. Full salary and benefits begin on day one. After graduation, you'll complete 16 weeks of field training in Annapolis with an FTO before patrolling independently.
About the Annapolis Police Department
Your future employerFounded 1867 · 131 sworn officers
The Annapolis Police Department has been protecting the people of our city for over 150 years. We're the police force for the capital of Maryland and home to the U.S. Naval Academy — meaning we work alongside state, federal, and military partners in a uniquely complex jurisdiction.
Our department was an early adopter of body-worn cameras (100% coverage since 2018), crisis intervention training (mandatory since 2020), and civilian oversight (Police Accountability Board established 2022). We're proud of where we are and honest about where we need to grow.