Maryland Transportation Authority Police

Not to be confused with Maryland Transit Administration Police.

Maryland Transportation Authority Police
Abbreviation	MdTAP
Patch of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.
Agency overview
Formed	1957
Employees	600 Approx (as of 2010)
Legal personality	Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction*	State of Maryland, USA
General nature	Law enforcement Civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters	Dundalk, Maryland
Officers	500 Approx (as of 2010)
Civilians	100 Approx (as of 2010)
Agency executive	Vacant, Chief Of Police
Facilities
Detachments	13
Website
http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/Police/policeMain.html
Footnotes
* Divisional agency: Division of the country, over which the agency has usual operational jurisdiction.

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police is the second largest state law enforcement agency in Maryland and is charged with providing law enforcement services on Maryland Transportation Authority highways and facilities throughout the state of Maryland in addition to contractual services that are provided at BWI Airport, the Port of Baltimore and the Motor Vehicle Administration Headquarters.

History

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police trace their beginnings to the opening of the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel in 1957, when the Harbor Tunnel Special Police Force was established. In 1971 this force developed a State-authorized Police Academy, Commercial Vehicle Safety Division, police-apprenticeship program, and an Honor/Color Guard. In 1998 by act of the Maryland General Assembly the Maryland Port Administration Police was abolished and the members were merged into the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. The department assumed law enforcement responsibilities for the Port of Baltimore facilities including the Canton, Seagirt, Dundalk, Clinton Street, Fairfield and Locust Point Marine Terminals, as well as the Baltimore World Trade Center. Today the department has grown to encompass law enforcement responsibilities at Maryland's transportation facilities projects, the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and the Port of Baltimore.

Past Chief's

• Chief Marcus L. Brown, 2007-2011
• Chief Gary McLhinney, 2003-2007
• Chief Larry Harmel, 1997-2003
• Chief Edward Hechmer, 1982-1997
• Acting Commander Lionel Foote, 1981-1982
• Major Walter Wallace, 1977-1981
• Captain John J. Zimmerer 1971-1977
• Captain John J. Zimmerer 1957-1971

Overview

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the first state law enforcement agency to be nationally accredited in Maryland, is the second largest state law enforcement agency and the seventh largest law enforcement agency in the State of Maryland with 500 sworn officers and 100 civilian law enforcement professionals.[2] The Maryland Transportation Authority Police provide law enforcement services to some of the most critical transportation infrastructures in the state of Maryland. These areas include all Maryland Transportation Authority highways such as Interstate 95, Interstate 895, portions of Interstate-695,U.S. Routes 40, 50, 301, and the Intercounty Connector MD 200. In addition to these responsibilities the Maryland Transportation Authority Police also handle the law enforcement services at the Baltimore Washington/ Thurgood Marshall Airport, the Port of Baltimore, the Motor Vehicle Administration Headquarters and the MARC Rail Lines. The Maryland Transportation Authority Police also provide law enforcement services and inspections related to commercial vehicle truck safety on Interstate 95 (JFK Highway), Interstate 895, Interstate 695, US-50, and US-301. The Maryland State Police, under contract with the Maryland Transportation Authority, provides law-enforcement services along the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (IS 95 from northern Baltimore City to the Delaware state line).

Organizational Structure

Operations Bureau

Administrative Services Bureau

Special Operations Division

Patrol Division

Airport/Seaport Division

Support Services Division

Budget & Planning

Rank Structure

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police is a paramilitary organization with a rank structure similar to the United States military. The ranks of corporal through lieutenant are based on promotional testing. ; captains and above are appointed by the chief of police.

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police rank structure is as listed:

Rank	Insignia	Description
Chief Of Police		The Chief of Police for the Maryland Transportation Authority Police holds the rank of three stars. The Chief is the Agency Executive of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and is appointed by the board members of the Maryland Transportation Authority approved by the Governor for the state of Maryland.
Lieutenant Colonel
Major		Majors are responsible for commanding a specific division/bureau within the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.
Captain		The specific responsibilities of a captain vary depending upon where they are assigned within the agency. For example, a captain may be a detachment commander at a specific detachment. Captain's also may be assigned to work within another division/bureau of the agency.
Lieutenant		A lieutenant is generally the assistant commander to a detachment. However lieutenant's have held detachment commands as the primary commanding officer. Lieutenant's also may be assigned to work within another division/bureau of the agency.
First Sergeant		First sergeants are generally smaller detachment commanders, small unit commanders, or even assistant detachment commanders. First sergeants also may be assigned to work within another division/bureau of the agency.
Sergeant		Sergeants serve as shift commanders or duty officers. At smaller detachments sergeants are generally assistant detachment commanders. Sergeants also may be assigned to work within another division/bureau of the agency.
Corporal		Corporals are the first line supervisors and are usually assigned as road supervisors within detachment. In the absence of a sergeant, they may act as the duty officer.
Officer First Class		Officers who complete two years of satisfactory service are promoted to the rank of Officer First Class (OFC.II).
Officer		Officer Candidate's successfully completing the academy and field training are appointed as an Officer (OFC.I).

Training Academy

Members of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police are professional law-enforcement officers who must meet established standards and successfully complete a rigorous training program as required by the Maryland Police Training Commission. Officer candidates receive this training at the Maryland Transportation Authority's Police Training Academy, a fully accredited police-training facility located near the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge. Officer candidates are expected to maintain physical and mental discpline throughout the academy.

The standard training course covers subjects such as criminal and motor-vehicle law, accident investigation, first aid, abnormal psychology, traffic control, criminal investigation, defensive tactics, weapons qualifications and court procedures. In addition, college credits are available at the Community College of Baltimore County, Dundalk Campus.

Academy students are required to maintain a high academic standing during their seven-month classroom training. Upon graduation, officers will be assigned to Field Training Officers for an additional eight weeks of training. Thereafter, officers are eligible for assignment to any of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police detachments located throughout Maryland.

Detachments

Detachment | Location | Region

• Headquarters/Training Academy | Baltimore Co. | Central
• Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge | Harford, Cecil Co. (US 40) | Northern
• John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | Harford, Cecil Co. ( IS 95) | Northern
• Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Unit JFK | Harford, Cecil Co. ( IS 95) | Northern
• Ft. McHenry/ Baltimore Harbor Tunnel | Baltimore City, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard Co. ( IS 95 & IS 895)| Central
• Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Unit Metro | Baltimore City ( IS 95 & IS 895) | Central
• Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge | Baltimore City, Baltimore, Anne Arundel Co. ( IS 695) | Central
• Port Of Baltimore | Baltimore City | Central
• Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration HQ | Anne Arundel Co. | Central
• Baltimore Washington/ Thurgood Marshall Airport | Anne Arundel Co. | Central
• Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge | Charles Co. | Southern
• William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge | Anne Arundel Co. | Southern
• Intercounty Connector | Montgomery, Prince George's Co. | Southern

Specialized Units

Maryland Transportation Authority Police Specialized Units are:

• Homeland Enforcement Action Team (HEAT)
• Motor Unit
• K-9 Unit
• Marine Unit
• Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Unit (CVSU)
• Detective Unit
• Internal Affairs Unit (IAU)
• Hostage Negotiations Team
• Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU)
• Aggressive Driving Unit (ADU)
• Special Response Team (SRT)
• Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)
• Bicycle Patrol
• Honor Guard
• Honor Guard Rifle Team
• Information and Technology Law Enforcement Unit (ITLE)
• Recruitment and Selection Unit
• Public Affairs Unit
• Training Unit

Equipement

Weapons-

Maryland Transportation Authority Police Officers are currently issued a Glock 22 .40 caliber ( " Safe Action") pistol. Some officers are also issued a 870 Remington 12 gauge shotgun but, all officers are certified to operate both weapons. Additionally officers are issued a ASP collaspable baton and OC Spray.

Patrol Vehicles-

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police currently use the police package Ford Crown Victoria, Dodge Charger, and Chevorlet Impala as their primary patrol vehicles.

Maryland Transportation Authority Police awards

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police presents a number of awards to its members for meritorious service.^[1] The awards that the Maryland Transportation Authority Police awards to its officers are as follows:

• Award of Excellence
• Life Saving Award
• Distinguished Service Award
• Chief’s Commendation
• Unit Commendation
• Motor Carrier Inspector of the Year
• Law Enforcement Supervisor of the Year
• Detachment Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
• Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

Fallen Officers

Seven officers have died in the line of duty. Those officers are: ^[2]

• CPL. Courtney G. Brooks, End Of Watch: 12/31/2007, Cause Of Death: Vehicular Manslaughter

• CPL. Robert T. Krauss, End Of Watch: 09/1/2006, Cause Of Death: Vehicular Manslaughter

• OFC. Grant F. Turner, End of Watch: 07/16/2005, Cause Of Death: Health Complications

• OFC. Duke G. Aaron III, End Of Watch: 07/20/2004, Cause Of Death: Vehicular Manslaughter

• OFC. Thomas R Crouch, End Of Watch: 10/31/1991, Cause Of Death: Vehicular Manslaughter

• OFC. Robert F. Pyles, Sr, End Of Watch: 09/27/1986, Cause Of Death: Gunfire

• OFC. George N. Ramsburg, End Of Watch: 02/22/1974, Cause of Death: Gunfire

See also

	Maryland portal
	Law enforcement/Law enforcement topics portal

• List of law enforcement agencies in Maryland

References

1. ^ "MdTA Police Awards" Scribd website, MDTA Police annual awards ceremony on March 18, 2009, retrieved 2009-11-30
2. ^ The Officer Down Memorial Page

External links

• The Maryland Transportation Authority Police Website
• The Maryland Transportation Authority Website
• Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #34, Maryland Transportation Authority Police