JHPD Police Officer (Entry Level)

Posting open August 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026. This posting is for entry-level applicants with no previous law enforcement experience.

Mission

The Johns Hopkins Police Department is committed to the equitable delivery of police services that prioritizes the well-being of our students, staff, faculty, and guests. We build trust by engaging our community and partners as co-creators of the campus safety environment. We employ knowledgeable, service-focused professionals who recognize that safety is a community effort.

Johns Hopkins University Police Department is seeking highly motivated individuals to serve as Police Officers. Police Officers work in a team environment with integrity, professionalism, humanity, and courage to protect the lives and property of the Johns Hopkins community. Johns Hopkins Police Officers regularly engage with students, faculty, staff, and visitors in a variety of ways to provide services and information needed. They provide campus police services to the Homewood Campus, East Baltimore Campus, and Peabody Campus where officers will be assigned to work. Officers ensure JHPD is a leader in the provision of responsive, quality, and customer service-oriented policing.

Responsibilities

• Represents the JHPD’s vision, mission, and values when interacting with university, community, advocacy groups, and coordinates JHPD resources and activities via direction from supervision to address concerns about university and community issues.
• Provides the full level of law enforcement work, enforcing laws, rules, and regulations governing the safety and protection of individuals, buildings, and property.
• Performs simple and complex problem-solving projects designed to enhance safety and prevent or reduce harm.
• Ensures priorities and community policing strategies for the patrol area are properly implemented.
• Patrols designated areas by vehicle, bicycle, and foot to identify and report safety hazards, detect prioritized violations of laws and ordinances, and identify wanted vehicles, persons, and unusual conditions.
• Maintains a visible presence to serve as a positive resource and actively develops relationships with community stakeholders to successfully implement initiatives to deter crime.
• Responds to calls for assistance and emergency service and takes appropriate action; de-escalates situations as reasonable and appropriate; engages other necessary levels of response to ensure safety of community.
• Coordinates and cooperates with Campus Safety and Security Command Staff in the preliminary and follow-up investigations of complaints, reported criminal offenses, and disruptions.
• Conducts the investigation of incidents reported on the shift.
• Coordinates preliminary investigative activities at a crime scene or significant or unusual event until the arrival of an investigative entity.
• Interacts with university community and establishes a rapport with the surrounding communities.
• Directs traffic and assists with crowd control.
• Provides the public with safety information and conducts community-related public safety programs.
• Participates as instructed in specialized unit activities such as crime prevention, recertification instruction, criminal investigations, or special events.
• Inspects and maintains assigned equipment and clothing. Operates and utilizes various types of law enforcement equipment such as self-defense tools.
• Performs or assists in collection and preservation of evidence.
• Conducts or assists with serving warrants and summonses.
• Prepares or assists with cases for court, including testifying in court when necessary.
• Collaborates with local and state law enforcement agencies when needed.
• Performs office duties such as answering telephones, dispatching, issuance of parking permits, and providing general information.
• Maintains visitor logs.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 20 ½ years of age.
• Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent legal resident of the United States who:
  • Is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces; and
  • Has submitted an application for United States citizenship that is pending approval.
• Submit documents to the hiring law enforcement agency that support a claim of:
  • Citizenship; or
  • Permanent legal residency and proof of a pending application for United States citizenship.
• Applicant must provide official proof of separation from the military in good standing with an honorable discharge prior to being extended a conditional offer of employment.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony.
• Must demonstrate physical ability to perform job.
• Must work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, on-call, and as needed.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• If applicant has previous law enforcement experience, must have no record of serious or repeated disciplinary actions or citizen complaints.
• Finalists will be required to complete a comprehensive background check, including medical exam, drug test, polygraph, and psychological evaluation.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of modern law enforcement practices and methods.
• Knowledge of related federal, state, and municipal criminal laws.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the college community including students, faculty, staff, and administrators in a multicultural environment and the surrounding communities.
• Ability to operate a police car, police radio, and other equipment or weapons as required (e.g., side handle baton, handcuffs, first aid equipment).
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to quickly analyze complex, sensitive, and/or hazardous situations and issues and quickly devise solutions and action plans.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
• Ability to function with a community-oriented value-based philosophy.
• Skill in working in a multi-cultural environment.

Conditions of Employment

• Employees in this job class are required to successfully complete a training academy and obtain and maintain certification as specified by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC).
• Employees in this job class may be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
• Employees in this job classification will serve a one-year probationary period after successful completion of the MPCTC training academy.
• Certification as a sworn Police Officer recognized by the MPCTC and valid Maryland Non-commercial Class C or equivalent driver's license.
• Clery Act designated job as Campus Security Authorities (CSA) member and will comply with Clery Act requirements.

Work Environment

This position regularly works both indoors and outdoors. The position may also work under exposure to hazardous physical activities; works in all types of weather conditions and at all times of day; and interacts with individuals under physical and/or emotional stress. Duties may require the operation of a motor vehicle. The position may be subject to call-in during emergencies and staffing shortages and may work a rotating shift, holidays, and weekends. The work environment is highly diverse and demands a high level of cultural competence in interpersonal communications and interactions.

Physical Demands

Duties require physical health, strength, agility, and stamina. The work may involve sitting, standing, walking, running, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting, crawling, kneeling, climbing, and lifting and transporting both objects and persons. Work requires eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, near vision acuity, and the ability to see and read printed material and computer screens. Duties involve oral, written, electronic, and telephonic communication.

Benefits

• Certification Incentive: $15,000 one-time increase to base salary after successful completion of Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC) training academy, field training, and all other requirements as defined by MPCTC for obtainment of Maryland Law Enforcement Certification.
• City Residency: 20% increase over base salary for Baltimore City residents with proof of residency.

Pay

Starting salary: $70,000

Schedule

Shift work – 12-hour shifts, rotating days off.