Police Officer Candidate/Police Officer I

Gaithersburg, MD
City of Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg MD PD

The 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 as a police officer may be given preference.

Applications must be submitted online through the City of Gaithersburg website.

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 INFORMATION
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 $65,926 (FY 2025). 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 $67,903 to $76,426, based on the amount of prior law enforcement experience. The top pay-out for a Police Officer III in the Department in FY 2025 is $113,238.

Entry Level – $5,000 hiring bonus paid after satisfactory completion of the two-year police officer probation period and meeting eligibility requirements.
Maryland Certified Officers – $10,000 hiring bonus paid after satisfactory completion of the two-year police probation period and meeting eligibility requirements.

Other excellent benefits and opportunities including:

  • Medical, dental, vision, long-term care, long-term disability, and life insurance.
  • Paid holiday, vacation, sick, and personal 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).
  • Four-day workweek (10 hour shifts).
  • 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 officers are eligible for a $10,000 hiring bonus paid after satisfactory completion of the two-year police probation period.