Police Officer Candidate/Police Officer I

Police Officer Candidate/Police Officer I PLEASE

READ THIS ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLYBEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR

APPLICATIONThe Gaithersburg Police Department is a nationally accredited agency dedicated to creating a better quality of life for everyone in Gaithersburg, in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. Our officers are highly trained and our progressive department is guided by the agency's values: service, integrity, and respect.

The department's size is just right for those who want a law enforcement career with a variety of assignments and opportunities for advancement. We pride ourselves in offering the best equipment, training, and technology to our officers.

The department is looking for ambitious people seeking careers in law enforcement; and our application process for entry level police officers and lateral/certified police officers is ongoing. The process establishes a standing eligibility list for future Department vacancies; positions are filled based on operational needs. Individuals with prior experience may be given preference.

APPLICATION, RECRUITMENT & SELECTION

PROCESSComplete & Submit the Online Application & Personal History StatementOnline applications must be fully completed and filed by the posted online closing date. Applicants who move forward in the process after completing the online application will receive an email invitation to complete the Personal History Statement. Applicants MUST complete the Personal History Statement in its entirety, ensuring that the instructions in each section are followed and the information provided is complete and accurate.

The Personal History Statement is a comprehensive document requiring a significant amount of information. Applicants will have 14 days to complete the Personal History Statement. If you are unable to complete the Personal History Statement within 14 days of receiving the activation link, your account will be locked. Should you wish to unlock your account and reactivate your Personal History Statement, send a message via the online portal requesting additional time. Please note that after 60 days, your account will be archived and unable to be reactivated. Again, only fully completed Personal History Statements will be accepted.

Please note that intentionally lying or deliberately withholding information on the online application and/or Personal History Statement will result in an applicant's permanent disqualification.

Online applications and attached materials are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted.

Written ExaminationAfter completing the online application and Personal History Statement, applicants who pass the initial screening phase may be invited to attend the written examination. Applicants must receive a score of 60% or higher to pass the exam. The written exam is standardized and timed, and uses valid, non-discriminatory procedures. Applicants provide a writing sample as part of the examination.

Physical Fitness TestA physical fitness test will be administered to all applicants on the same day as the written examination (an applicant must be invited to attend). The minimum acceptable scores for each component have been determined from the universally accepted Cooper Institute standards for public safety employees and the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC). These minimum acceptable passing scores fall well within averages of previous physical fitness testing conducted by the Gaithersburg Police Department. Each component will be demonstrated prior to administration. All applicants must pass each category listed below to successfully complete this physical fitness test.

• 10 push-ups in one minute;
• 15 sit-ups in one minute;
• 18:00 minute 1.5 mile run;
• 80 seconds 300 meter run;
• Climb over a barrier;
• Pull/drag of a 150 lb. dummy for 15 feet; and
• Traverse up and down two flights of stairs.

Oral InterviewApplicants who pass both the written examination and physical fitness test may proceed to this phase. The Interview Board will be comprised of members of the department who have been trained in this process. Applicants who pass the oral interview and are selected will be assigned to the background investigation phase.

Background InvestigationA comprehensive background investigation will be conducted on selected applicants. A background investigation is required by City of Gaithersburg ordinance and Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC) regulations, and will be conducted by sworn officers trained in investigative techniques.

Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA)Selected applicants will be given a truth verification exam (CVSA). The exam will be conducted by a professional who is licensed/trained to administer and interpret the results. The examination is conducted at no cost to the candidate.

Post-Conditional TestingSelected applicants who have successfully completed all steps in the application process up to this point may be eligible for a conditional offer of employment. Conditional offers of employment will be made as job openings arise.

The offer of employment is conditional upon successful completion of the remaining steps in the selection process. Candidates must successfully complete each required pre-placement examination or assessment before moving to the next examination or assessment. If any elements of the pre-placement process are not successfully completed, the offer of employment will be withdrawn by the City of Gaithersburg.

Post-Conditional Testing consists of:

Pre-Placement Emotional Stability and Psychological Examination:

Will be conducted by professionals licensed/trained in this area (conducted at no cost to the candidate).

Pre-Placement Medical Examination & Physical Fitness/Physical Agility Assessment:

A more comprehensive fitness/agility test and stress test will be conducted by professionals licensed/trained in this area (conducted at no cost to the candidate). A vision test is included in the medical examination to ensure candidates meet the standards recommended for color vision, acuity, binocularity, stereopsis (depth perception), and other vision skills. A drug-screening test is included in the medical examination and is required by the State of Maryland.

Chief's InterviewSelected applicants will participate in a one-on-one interview with the Chief of Police.

Formal Offer of EmploymentIf all tests, examinations, and remaining background investigation matters are completed successfully, the City of Gaithersburg will provide selected candidates with a formal employment offer which will include the anticipated employment start date.

Applicants are highly encouraged to review the Gaithersburg Police Department's Application & Selection Process and Job Requirements web pages on the City website for further information.

HIRING CATEGORIESApplicants will be considered in the category for which they qualify, as outlined below:

POLICE OFFICER CANDIDATE

(POC):

• Entry level candidates who have no previous law enforcement experience; or
• Candidates with law enforcement experience but who are not currently certified or have not been certified within the past 3 years as a police officer through the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC), including all non-Maryland certified Police Officers.

MARYLAND CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICER

(PO I):

• Must be currently certified as a Police Officer through the MPCTC or hold an MPCTC certification issued within the last 3 years (you must have an MPCTC number); and
• Must have curr... Visit the Employer site for more details Qualifications Police Officer Candidate applicants must meet the following standards to be considered for employment:
• Must be 21 years old at time of appointment to Police Officer I to be Certified by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions.
• Be a United States citizen or a permanent legal resident of the United States and an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (provided that U.S. citizenship has been applied for and the application is still pending at the time of appointment as a Police Officer).
• Possess a valid driver's license and have a good overall driving record.
• Be in excellent physical and mental condition as determined by comprehensive examinations.
• Be able to meet the established vision standards required to successfully perform police officer tasks including passing tests for color vision (including a 14-panel Ishihara Vision Test for color blindness), acuity, binocularity, stereopsis (depth perception), and other vision skills.
• Have graduated from an accredited high school, or possess a high school diploma recognized by the Maryland Department of Education or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
• Be of good moral character, with no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions for which a sentence of imprisonment for one year or more could have been imposed.
• Not be a current user of illegal drugs.

In addition to the above-listed standards, applicants must meet the following standards to be hired at the rank of

Police Officer I:

• Must be currently certified as a Police Officer through the MPCTC or hold an MPCTC certification issued within the last 3 years. You must have an MPCTC number.
• Be currently employed by or have previously been employed by a Maryland law enforcement agency as a law enforcement officer.

PLEASE NOTE

If you applied for a police officer position within the last year and were notified that your application is still in process or were notified that you were not eligible to reapply, your application is still on file and you should not reapply during this recruitment period. New applications will not be processed; please do not reapply. Additional Information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Salary & Benefits:

Starting annual salary for a POC with no prior law enforcement experience or a Police Officer I (Maryland Certified Officer) with six (6) months or less of prior law enforcement experience is $71,750 (FY 2027). For a POC or Police Officer I (Maryland Certified Officer) with seven (7) months or more of prior qualified law enforcement experience, the starting annual salary is $74,261 to $84,395 (FY 2027), based on the amount of prior law enforcement experience. The top pay-out for a Police Officer III in the Department is $125,046 (FY 2027). Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees. Excellent benefits and opportunities including:

• Medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Paid holiday, vacation, sick, personal, family care, and volunteer service leave.
• Generous retirement plans (combined total annual contribution equivalent to 26% of base salary - 10% employee and 16% employer - into 401A/401K/457 Plans).
• Multilingual skills pay ($2,080 annually) disbursed biweekly through payroll.
• Take-home vehicle program (eligible upon successful completion of field training program for entry level officers and after a driving evaluation for lateral officers) (view map).
• Four-day workweek (10 hour shifts).
• The ability to earn 60 credits towards an associate degree with the University of Maryland Global Campus upon successful completion of a Maryland law enforcement academy and the department's Field Training Program.
• Tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans.
• Entry level officers are eligible for a $5,000 hiring bonus paid after satisfactory completion of the two-year police officer probation period.
• Maryland certified offVisit the Employer site for more details