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Maryland State Police outlines recruitment push and pledges consent‑decree reporting
Summary
Colonel Michael A. Jackson described recruitment, retention, and training priorities and said the department will continue quarterly reporting on consent‑decree metrics; DLS highlighted personnel‑driven budget growth, aviation fund provisions, forensic turnaround concerns, and deployments to Baltimore City.
Colonel Michael A. Jackson, confirmed as secretary and superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, told the subcommittee that his priorities include strengthening training and standards, expanding recruitment to reflect Maryland’s diversity, investing in trooper wellness, and strengthening partnerships with local and federal partners. "The Maryland State Police is your police agency," he said, emphasizing the department’s role as a state resource for local jurisdictions.
DLS reported a fiscal 2027 allowance increase of about $21.7 million to $692.4 million, driven largely by personnel costs. The briefing highlighted several program metrics: part 1 crime rates (Maryland above national levels), decreases in motor vehicle theft from 2023 to 2024 but higher long‑run levels, and variable forensic case completion rates and turnaround times. DLS asked DSP to provide calendar 2025 CDS completion rates and comment on how the new Berlin laboratory will affect future forensic analysis.
Jackson described deployments to Baltimore City beginning in September 2025 and said the large initial deployment has reduced to a sustained presence coordinated with the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center. On the DOJ consent decree he said DSP remains voluntarily committed to reforms and will provide quarterly personnel reports to the legislature as requested.
Committee members pressed Jackson on promotions, diversity in investigative and polygraph units, the department’s age cap for troopers, and whether background screening can detect affiliation with extremist groups; Jackson said legal counsel (AG) would advise on screening tools and described efforts to revamp recruiting units and increase academy frequency.
Delegates also requested historical counts of requests for no‑knock warrants; Jackson agreed to provide that data. DLS recommended narrative and reporting to monitor vacancy and personnel measures going forward.
