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Ocean City Police Department

Employment Opportunities with the
Ocean City Police Department

Ocean City Police Department

The Ocean City Police Department hires a number of seasonal employees every year to augment our full-time staff during the busy summer months. We will hire approximately 110 Seasonal Police Officers and 42 Public Safety Aides. There may also be openings for year round employment for both Police Officers and Public Safety Aides. We invite you to read a letter from the Chief and explore these positions further to see if a job with the OCPD is right for you.

Seasonal Police Officer

Seasonal Police Officers are temporary employees who supplement the year round police force in its mission to the community. This assignment gives college-level criminal justice and other qualified and interested persons the chance to experience first-hand the duties and responsibilities of a sworn police officer. Seasonal Police Officers work from patrol cars, foot posts, or on bicycles. Their duties include the enforcement of state and local criminal laws, traffic laws, and investigating crimes and traffic collisions. Seasonal Police Officers also assist residents and visitors with a wide variety of concerns and problems.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED recognized by the Maryland Board of Education
21 years of age at the time of academy graduation
Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
United States Citizen

Medical Requirements

Good physical and mental condition
Vision correctable to 20/20 with the ability to recognize basic colors

Candidates must successfully complete a written examination, physical abilities test, structured interview, background investigation, polygraph examination, medical examination, and psychological evaluation.

Public Safety Aide

Public Safety Aides are utilized as civilian support staff within the Patrol and Support Services Division. Generally, Public Safety Aides are deployed in the areas of arrest and detention, parking enforcement, or support to patrol operations.

Public Safety Aides assigned to arrest and detention are responsible for processing and custody of detainees, safety and security of the Public Safety facility, interaction with the general public and the courts.

Public Safety Aides assigned to parking enforcement duties address Town parking regulations to include issuing citations for prohibited parking and meter violations as well as vehicle tows from public streets.

Public Safety Aides assigned to patrol operations handle traffic control, public safety needs at special events, and the enforcement of civil violations.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED recognized by the Maryland Board of Education or able to produce such by June 1 of the year of employment
17 ½ years of age at the time of employment
Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
United States Citizen

Medical Requirements

Good physical and mental condition
Vision correctable to 20/20 with the ability to recognize basic colors

Candidates must successfully complete a written examination, structured interview, background investigation, medical examination. Public Safety Aide positions are available for both full-time and seasonal employment

Police Officer

The Ocean City Police Department is actively seeking qualified candidates for the position of police officer. Applicants selected to a position of police officer will attend a 960 hour Entrance Level Police Officer Training Academy held at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy located on the campus of Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Maryland.

After successful completion of all classroom requirements, candidates will participate in a nine (9) week Field Training and Evaluation Program conducted by the Ocean City Police Department. Successful candidates will then receive a police certification from the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Academies (M.P.C.T.C.).

Salary and Benefits

$ 40,304.00 starting salary
Step increments with acceptable performance appraisals
Specialty pay available
Shift differential pay
Overtime for court appearances and special detail assignments
Paid holidays, accrued sick, annual, and compensatory leave
All uniforms furnished to include cleaning and alterations
All duty gear and equipment furnished to include shoes and boots
Eligibility for “Take Home Car Program” (SPP) after the completion of a probation period and adherence to residency requirements
Eligibility for promotion after three (3) years of employment
Defined Contribution Retirement Plan/Deferred Compensation Plan/Credit Union
Paid military leave for training purposes
Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance/Prescription Drug Plan
Tuition assistance for continuing education
Extensive in-service training and specialized career opportunities
Four (4) day work week for patrol officer (10 hour work days)

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED recognized by the Maryland Board of Education
21 years of age at the time of employment
Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
United States Citizenship

Medical Requirements

Good physical and mental condition
Vision correctable to 20/20 with the ability to recognize basic colors

Candidates must successfully complete a written examination, physical abilities test, structured interview, background investigation, polygraph examination, medical examination, and psychological evaluation.

Lateral Police Officer

The Ocean City Police Department is actively seeking Maryland certified police officers and out-of-state certified police officers who are willing to make a lateral change to Ocean City, Maryland.

As a Maryland certified lateral entry candidate you will attend a four (4) week orientation conducted by the Ocean City Police Department that includes firearms training/qualification, defensive tactics training, Town ordinance training, policy review, and field training.

As an out-of-state certified lateral entry candidate you will attend a 330 hour comparative compliance academy at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy (E.S.C.J.A.) in Salisbury, Maryland. After completion of this training, you will participate in a nine (9) week Field Training and Evaluation Program conducted by the Ocean City Police Department.

Lateral entry officer will be subject to the same process as other police officer applicants. Processing of the applicant will include a written examination, physical abilities test, oral interview, background investigation, physical examination, and psychological evaluation.

Salary & Benefits

$ 40,304.00 to $ 44,436.00 depending on years of experience
Step increments with acceptable performance appraisals
Specialty pay available
Shift differential pay
Overtime for court appearances and special detail assignments
Paid holidays, accrued sick, annual, and compensatory leave
All uniforms furnished to include cleaning and alterations
All duty gear and equipment furnished to include shoes and boots
Eligibility for “Take Home Car Program” (SPP) after the completion of a probation period and adherence to residency requirements
Eligibility for promotion after two (2) years of employment
Defined Contribution Retirement Plan/Deferred Compensation Plan/Credit Union
Paid military leave for training purposes
Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance/Prescription Drug Plan
Tuition assistance for continuing education
Extensive in-service training and specialized career opportunities
Four (4) day work week for patrol officer (10 hour work days)

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED recognized by the Maryland Board of Education
21 years of age at the time of employment
Possession of a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
United States Citizen

Medical Requirements

Good physical and mental condition
Vision correctable to 20/20 with the ability to recognize basic colors

Candidates must successfully complete a written examination, physical abilities test, structured interview, background investigation, polygraph examination, medical examination, and psychological evaluation.

Testing Dates

Testing for the Ocean City Police Department

All testing for 2013 is complete.

Date	Location
~~August 11 and 12, 2012~~	Ocean City Convention Center Convention Center Rd., Ocean City, MD.
~~October 20 and 21, 2012~~	Ocean City Elementary School 12828 Center Dr., Ocean City, MD
~~November 10 and 11, 2012~~	Ocean City Elementary School 12828 Center Dr., Ocean City, MD
~~December 15 and 16, 2012~~	Ocean City Elementary School 12828 Center Dr., Ocean City, MD
~~January 5 and 6, 2013~~	Ocean City Elementary School 12828 Center Dr., Ocean City, MD
~~January 26 and 27, 2013~~	Ocean City Elementary School 12828 Center Dr., Ocean City, MD
~~February 16 and 17, 2013~~	Ocean City Elementary School 12828 Center Dr., Ocean City, MD

Hotel Accomodations

Hotel Accommodations for applicants are available at the Grand Hotel and Spa (2100 Baltimore Avenue Ocean City, MD 21842) for $52.00 per night. Please mention the Block Code for the weekend that you wish to attend when making reservation 410-289-6191.

Date:
              November 10/11, 2012 (TEST01)
               December 15/16, 2012 (TEST02)
               January 5/6, 2013 (TEST03)
               January 26/27, 2013 (TEST04)
               February 16/17, 2013 (TEST05)

Downloadable Application Packet

Application

Physician’s waiver

Physical Abilities Test

Event #1: 220 Yard Shuttle Run

(Simulates the foot pursuit of an individual)

The run is structured in four (4) legs of fifty-five (55) yards each for a total of two hundred twenty (220) yards.

The course must be completed in forty-seven (47) seconds or less.

Event #2: Obstacle Course
(Simulates pursuing a fleeing suspect around various obstacles)

The participant will:

Run around seven (7) traffic cones

Sprint to and traverse a set of stairs

Sprint to and cross over a low hurdle

Run across six (6) four (4) inch posts

Sprint to and jump/climb over a four (4) foot barrier

Run to the finish line while dodging five (5) traffic cones

The course must be completed in forty-two (42) seconds or less

Event #3: Body Drag
(Simulates the Emergency Rescue of an injured person)

The participant will:

Drag/lift/carry/pull a one hundred fifty (150) pound dummy a distance of
forty (40) feet on a resistant surface. The task must be completed in twenty (20) seconds or less.

Test Preparedness

As is customary when beginning any fitness program, candidates should consult with their doctors to ensure they are healthy enough to start training.

To prepare for the physical fitness test, candidates should ensure they do not “jump into” a routine, especially if they have not worked out in a while. Candidates are advised to begin their programs slowly to assess their baseline level of fitness. From that point, candidates are recommended to practice the individual tests and build on their scores. Repetition is key to increasing their performance on the tasks at hand.

Again, it is not recommended that candidates begin the program and push themselves too hard. Injuries frequently occur this way. Take time at the beginning of your fitness program and build up to test day.

Each individual candidate should develop his or her own work out routine. Fitness professionals are a great resource to customize a program that will work for you.

Selection Process

All applicants for the position of Seasonal Police Officer must compete in a testing process identical to full-time police applicants. Candidates who are successful in the testing process must complete an in-depth personal history questionnaire and successfully complete all aspects of the background investigation which will include:

Military/Educational Experience

Credit History

Employment History

Driving History

Criminal History

Drug Usage

Personal and Neighborhood References

Psychological Evaluation

Polygraph Examination

Physical/Drug Screening

*All employees must comply with department appearance standards which include the prohibition of visible tattoos and visible body mutilation.

Training Program

Applicants who successfully complete the selection process and are offered employment as a seasonal police officer will attend a structured and demanding 200 hour training program completed in four weeks. Seasonal Recruit Police Officers will receive law enforcement training in numerous topics to include:

Policy and Procedure

Ethics in law Enforcement

Firearms

Defensive Tactics

Use of Force

Defensive Driving

Constitutional Law

Criminal Law

Traffic Law

Laws of Arrest

Drug Identification and Enforcement

Practical applications through scenario training

Field Training Program

Seasonal Recruit Police Officers who successfully complete the training program will graduate and be sworn in as Ocean City Seasonal Police Officers. Seasonal Police Officers are assigned to one of six shifts attached to the Patrol Division. Seasonal Police Officers who have an acceptable evaluation at the conclusion of their employment are given priority consideration for any full-time openings for police officers.

Many of the Seasonal Police Officers go on to successful careers in law enforcement with federal, state, county, and municipal governments.

Seasonal Employee Start Dates for 2013

SEASONAL POLICE OFFICER
April 14, 2013 or May 5, 2013

SEASONAL PUBLIC SAFETY AIDE
May 21, 2013

Seasonal Pay Rates

Seasonal Police Officer: $13.26 per hour
Seasonal Public Safety Aide: $11.06 per hour

Ocean City Police Honor Guard

Interested? What Do I Do Now?

Select a testing date

Make a reservation – pdtrain@oceancitymd.gov or 410-723-6612

Download and complete application and physician’s waiver

Bring these documents and a photo ID to the testing center

Do NOT mail your application ahead of time

What to Expect During the Testing Weekend

Plan to arrive between 7:00 and 8:00 am Saturday morning. The doors will be locked at 8:00. All documents must be completed and presented at check-in.

All applicants will take a written test. All applicants will complete a preliminary background screening.

Any applicants that do not pass either of these stages will be dismissed.

Police Officer candidates will then complete a physical abilities test. If they complete that successfully, they will be scheduled for an oral interview on Sunday.

Public Safety Aide candidates will participate in an oral interview after successfully completing the written test and preliminary background screening. This will conclude their testing process.

Police Officer candidates should wear gym clothes on Saturday and business attire on Sunday. Public Safety Aide candidates should wear business attire on Saturday.

FAQS

Q. Is there a cost to take the test?

A. No. There is no cost to take the test.

Q. Will this seasonal job qualify for my college internship?

A. We cooperate fully with colleges and universities to help satisfy your internship requirements.

Q. Are there any hotels that offer a discount for applicant testing?

A. We have discounted rate codes for some of the test dates. Contact the Training & Recruiting Section for more information.

Q. If I have a police certification in another state, will that count as a lateral transfer?

A. In some cases. That determination is made by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission. They will evaluate your training curriculum and make the determination if you qualify as a lateral.

Q. I am in a military reserve unit and I will have weekend drill obligations. Will this keep me from getting the job?

A. No. We honor all military obligations.

Still Have Questions
or Want to Make a Reservation?

Contact the OCPD Training & Recruiting Section:

pdtrain@oceancitymd.gov
410-723-6612

Last Updated: March 4, 2013