WHERE TO MAIL APPLICATIONS
Maryland State Police
Licensing Division
1111 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208
Attn.: Special Police Commissions
Applications should be mailed to the Division. Personal visits are not encouraged and will not decrease the amount of time it takes an application to be processed.
WHO MAY APPLY
You may apply for appointment of a Special Police Officer if you are:
1. A municipal corporation, county, or other governmental body of the State, in order to protect property owned, leased, or regularly used by the governmental body or any of its units;
2. Another state, or subdivision or unit of another state, that has an interest in property located wholly or partly in this State, in order to protect the property;
3. A college, university, or public school system in the State, in order to protect its property or students; or
4. A person that exists and functions for a legal business purpose, in order to protect its business property such as:
· A property owner;
· A corporate officer in a partnership;
· A person with legal capacity to represent the property owner; or
· A person who possesses a business interest in the property to be protected.
The individual for whom the appointment is sought shall be:
1. of good moral character, reputation and qualification; and
2. at least 18 years old;
HOW TO APPLY
Utilizing the form(s) provided below for initial and renewals, answer all questions accurately, completely and honestly by typing or clearly printing responses in ink. Attach all documentation required and clarifications you feel may assist investigators in processing your application. Too much is better than too little. The application, and at times, related documents, must be signed and notarized.
A notarized Certification of Application for Special Police Commission form must be submitted with each initial and renewal application.
MAIL THE APPLICATION PACKET TO THE LICENSING DIVISION AT THE ADDRESS PROVIDED ABOVE. ALLOW 90 BUSINESS DAYS FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
If the Licensing Division does not receive the renewal application, satisfactorily completed, by the date of expiration, the applicant must begin as a new applicant and complete all requirements necessary for an initial application.
The renewal process is the responsibility of the applicant and should be started no less than 90 business days from expiration of the commission. Timely renewal is the responsibility of the commission holder. The Licensing Division does not send out renewal reminders.
Remember the fingerprint cards/electronic fingerprint transmission and two (2) color passport type photographs depicting the applicant from the shoulders up must be submitted with the application. The photographs must be no larger than 1 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. The applicant should not be wearing a hat or sunglasses in the photograph.
COST TO APPLY
Initial – Total $100.00 - Application fee payable to the Maryland State Police - Fingerprint fees seperate
An application fee of $100.00 is required for each initial application if the submitter is not a unit of the State. A separate fee of $34.50 is required to cover the cost of processing fingerprints in addition to fees charged by the authorized Electronic Fingerprint Processing Center. The fees are non-refundable. If electronic fingerprints are obtained/submitted for the application, the fingerprint fee is paid directly to the private provider taking the electronic fingerprints. DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT TO THE STATE POLICE FOR FINGERPRINTS IF THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND SUBMITTED BY WAY OF AN AUTHORIZED PRIVATE PROVIDER OR THE MARYLAND MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION.
Fees must be paid by check or money order made payable to the Maryland State Police. Checks must be drawn on active accounts with sufficient funds. If the check is returned for insufficient funds or due to a closed account, the applicant will be required to pay for future requests of the Licensing Division by cashier’s check or money order.
Renewal – Total $60.00 - Application fee payable to the Maryland State Police - Fingerprint fees seperate
An application fee of $60.00 is required for each initial application if the submitter is not a unit of the State. A separate fee of $16.50 is required to cover the cost of processing fingerprints in addition to fees charged by the authorized Electronic Fingerprint Processing Center. The fees are non-refundable. If electronic fingerprints are obtained/submitted for the application, the fingerprint fee is paid directly to the entity taking the electronic fingerprints. DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT TO THE STATE POLICE FOR FINGERPRINTS IF THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND SUBMITTED BY A WAY OF AN AUTHORIZED PRIVATE PROVIDER OR THE MARYLAND MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION.
Fees must be paid by check or money order made payable to the Maryland State Police. Checks must be drawn on active accounts with sufficient funds. If the check is returned for insufficient funds or due to a closed account, the applicant will be required to pay for future requests of the Licensing Division by cashier’s check or money order.
DOCUMENTATION OF AUTHORIZATION
A notarized Certification of Application for Special Police Commission form must be submitted with each initial and renewal application.
A notarized Request for Special Police Commission to Direct Traffic form must be submitted each time a Special Police Officer is needed to direct traffic that directly effects the ingress or egress into or from the business location.
APPLICATION PROCESSING
Upon receipt of the application, the proper fee, and all required documents and information, a review of the application packet will begin. Those applications determined to be incomplete, inaccurate and/or with purposeful omissions will be returned to the sender. The fee is non-refundable and a criminal investigation of the applicant and/or submitter may be initiated. Returned applications are not considered received by the Licensing Division until they are returned satisfactorily completed with the necessary attachments and fees.
A background investigation to include, but not limited to, a fingerprint generated criminal history will be initiated on those applications accurately submitted in their entirety. The date the background is initiated depends on the accuracy, truthfulness, and completeness of the submission. The Maryland State Police will investigate the character, reputation, and qualifications of each applicant and shall:
1. Include an investigation of the applicant’s criminal record, including checking records of local police departments and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
When requested, references will be contacted. It is important to supply references that know you and those that will speak to investigators on your behalf. Difficulty locating references will further delay the application process.
It is important that the fee not be paid from closed accounts or those with insufficient funds. This will stop the application process and could result in criminal prosecution or forwarding to a collection agency.
Please allow 90 business days for processing of new and renewal applications. Do not call the Maryland State Police regarding the status of your application unless you have not received notification within this timeframe.
Upon completion of the investigation, the Maryland State Police will submit to the Governor of Maryland the results of the investigation, a recommendation on denying or granting the application, and the reasons for the recommendation.
The Governor may accept the recommendation of the Secretary of State Police but need not issue an appointment approved by the Secretary if the Governor believes it is not in the best interest of the State to do so. If the commission is approved, the commission will indicate the property that the Commission is intended to cover or the purpose for which the Commission is issued.
Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 3, §3–309, provides that within 30 days after a commission and before performing the duties of a special police officer, each special police officer shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution before the clerk of the circuit court where the commission is received. If approved, the applicant will be notified by the clerk of the circuit court when to appear. Notification will be made to the address provided with the application.
PERIOD OF COMMISSION/RENEWAL
Initial commissions expire two (2) years after its date of issuance and upon the end of the term of a commission, the commission is renewable for a three (3) year term if the employer of the special police officer:
1. submits to the Secretary of State Police a renewal application on the form that the Secretary requires;
2. submits to the Secretary of State Police proof that a complete set of the special police officer’s legible fingerprints were submitted by an authorized Electronic Fingerprint Processing Center; and
3. pays to the Secretary of State Police a renewal fee of $60 where applicable, but a renewal fee may not be charged to a unit of the State.
The renewal process is the responsibility of the applicant and should be started no less than 90 business days from expiration of the commission. Timely renewal is the responsibility of the commission holder. The Licensing Division does not send out renewal reminders.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS/INFORMATION
It is the commission holder’s responsibility to notify the Licensing Division of address or name changes in writing within 30 days of any change. There is no requirement for the commission to be re-issued – the commission holder may continue to use the outdated commission identification card until it is time for renewal. Commission holders must use the forms provided to facilitate a change in the information maintained by the Division. There is no fee to change information maintained by the Licensing Division. E-Mail notifications are not accepted and you may not receive a confirmation of receipt of a request for change of information.
JURISDICTION
Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 3, §3–307, provides that each special police officer shall protect and preserve peace and good order on the property described in the application for the commission and that the special police officer may:
1. Arrest individuals who trespass or commit offenses on the property described in the application for the commission
2. Exercise the powers of a police officer on the property described in the application for the commission;
3. Exercise the powers of a police officer in a county or municipal corporation of the State in connection with the care, custody, and protection of other property of the entity that requested the appointment of the special police officer or other property, real or personal, for which the entity has assumed an obligation to maintain or protect; and
4. Direct and control traffic on public highways and roads in the immediate vicinity of the property described in the application for the commission in order to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic to and from the property, if the Secretary approves of this activity in advance.
5. Make an arrest or issue a traffic citation for a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law or any other State or local traffic law or regulation only if the special police officer:
· has a probationary or permanent appointment as a security officer or is a member of an industrial police force; and
· has completed the basic training course for police officers as established by the Police Training Commission in accordance with Subtitle 2, of this title.
6. Exercise the power described above only on the property of the special police officer’s employer as described in the application for the commission, unless the special police officer is in active pursuit for the purpose of immediate apprehension.
LIABILITY
Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 3, §3–308, provides that the special police officer is liable for any abuse of the special police officer’s powers, and the exercise of the special police officer’s powers on property not within the special police officer’s jurisdiction.
Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 3, §3–308, provides that the entity that requested the appointment of the special police officer is also responsible for any wrongful action that the special police officer commits in the course of the special police officer’s duties; and any abuse of powers granted by the commission, either on or off the premises.
Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 3, §3–314, provides that the State and any subdivision or municipal corporation of the State shall have the immunity from liability described under § 5-613, of the Courts Article, unless the subdivision or municipal corporation requests the appointment of an individual as a special police officer and the request is granted as provided in this subtitle.
Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 3, §3–315, provides that an individual may not exercise or attempt to exercise any of the powers of a special police officer granted under this subtitle without a commission; an individual may not exercise or attempt to exercise any of the powers of a special police officer granted under this subtitle if the individual knows of the suspension or termination of the individual’s commission or if the individual has in any manner received notice of the suspension or termination of the individual’s commission; and an individual is presumed to know of a suspension or termination if notice of the suspension or termination is filed and mailed in accordance with § 3-315, of this subtitle.
Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 3, §3–315, provides that an employer may not knowingly:
1. hire an individual to perform the duties of a special police officer unless the individual holds a commission; or
2. continue to employ an individual to perform the duties of a special police officer:
· unless the individual holds a commission; or
· if the individual’s commission is suspended or terminated.
For more information pertaining to Special Police Commissions CLICK HERE
CHECKLIST – FOLLOW ALONG AND YOU WON'T GO WRONG
1. Licensing Division – General Application - Completely, accurately, legibly, and truthfully completed in ink or by typing. NOTARIZED
2. Receipt containing the tracking number for Fingerprints (FBI and State) from an approved Electronic Fingerprint Processing Center attached to the Licensing Division General Application.
3. Two 1.5 x 1.5 inch passport type photographs of the applicant from the shoulders up. The photos should be in color and the applicant should not be wearing a hat or sunglasses.
4. Certification of Application for Special Police Commission form (MDSP Form 29-210). NOTARIZED
5. Authorization for the Release of Information form. NOTARIZED
6. Reachable references willing to speak on the applicants' behalf. Difficulty locating references will further delay the application process.
7. Signature of the requesting party, usually not the applicant, in the appropriate location on Page 8 of the application. Check the block if the applicant is also seeking a State of Maryland Handgun Permit or will be armed.
8. Details in response to a "yes" response on the application. This information must be complete and accurate as a background investigation will be completed. Too much information is better than too little. Use additional sheets if necessary.
9. Any documentation to respond to issues concerning drug or alcohol abuse and/or addiction from the health care provider as to treatment and prognosis.
10. Any documentation to respond to occurrences by the applicant where he/she was institutionalized (voluntarily/involuntarily) for any psychological evaluation or treatment to include documentation from the health care provider as to treatment and prognosis.
11. If not a United States Citizen, provide one of the following documents; US Naturalization Certificate, Valid US Passport, Permanent Residence Card, Employment Authorization Card, Birth Certificate (born abroad) and form I-94.
12. Request for Special Police Officer to Direct Traffic Form, if applicable.
13. Documentation that the applicant has a probationary or permanent appointment as a security officer or is a member of an industrial police force and has completed the basic training course for police officers as established by the Maryland Police Training Commission if the requestor is seeking to have the officer make arrests or issue traffic citations for a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law or any other State or local traffic law or regulation.
The complete Maryland Code can be accessed by clicking here. This valuable resource allows interested parties to view the applicable laws pertaining to licenses, certifications and commissions sought. All applicants should familiarize themselves with the statutes associated with the product sought.