Baltimore City Police Department is hiring flight officers to serve with empathy, integrity and courage. Our team in the air is critical to supporting officers on the ground and keeping communities safe.
The pilot position is a sworn law enforcement position, and the applicant will have to attend a police academy (including field training) and will transfer to the aviation unit upon academy graduation.
We operate a fleet of brand new (Model years 2022 and 2023) H125 A-Star helicopters equipped with full glass cockpits. The schedule is rotating between two weeks of day work and two weeks of night work with 8.5-hour workdays. Days worked are typically 5 days on, 2 days off per 7-day period with occasional 4 days on, 3 days off.
We do not require time spent in patrol before transferring to the aviation unit, other than the field training as part of the academy. During field training, the applicant will be accompanied by a Field Training Officer at all times.
SHANDELL, BROOKLYN
As a young person living in Baltimore, Shandell can still remember that things used to be different. Neighborhoods felt safer for kids and families. And the relationship between residents and law enforcement wasn’t always so strained. She knows that respect and communication are the foundation of a good officer. “You have to know how to talk to people,” she said. “You have to have good customer service.” Her perspective is the type of change that the city needs.
The pilot position is a sworn law enforcement position, and the applicant will have to attend a police academy (including field training) and will transfer to the aviation unit upon academy graduation. We do not require time spent in patrol before transferring to the aviation unit, other than the field training as part of the academy. During field training, the applicant will be accompanied by a Field Training Officer at all times.
We operate a fleet of brand new (Model years 2022 and 2023) H125 A-Star helicopters equipped with full glass cockpits. The schedule is rotating between two weeks of day work and two weeks of night work with 8.5-hour workdays. Days worked are typically 5 days on, 2 days off per 7-day period with occasional 4 days on, 3 days off.
Path of an Officer
Top Positions Selected Internally
Senior Leadership
Bria HightowerOfficer
From the Beat
For Bria Hightower, the decision to become a police officer was sparked by tragedy. “In 2008, my father was murdered. The homicide detective who handled my father’s case still works here, and we grew a relationship. Eventually, it made me want to become a homicide detective so I can give families...the same justice I got.” In her three years in the department, she’s learned a lot about herself—and about the community she serves. Integrity is non-negotiable if you’re going to be a good police officer, but you’ve also got to be authentic. “Engage with the community. Show them we’re human beings.”
We’ve revamped our hiring process allowing us to reach more diverse applicants while removing the barriers that may keep qualified candidates from applying.
Complete and pass the required background investigation, physical examination and psychological evaluation
FLIGHT OFFICER ELIGIBILITY
The ideal candidate:
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must have graduated with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Attend police academy, including 8-10 weeks of field training.
Live in, or must relocate to, the general Baltimore area.
Have the following flight requirements (non-waivable).
Minimum of 1,000 hours total flight time.
600 hours Pilot in Command (PIC).
600 hours in a Turbine Helicopter.
Valid FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Instrument-Helicopter Rating.
Current FAA Medical Certificate-Second Class or above.
Valid Maryland Class C Noncommercial Driver’s License or equivalent out-of-state driver’s license.
Can pass a comprehensive background check.
Has been Honorably Discharged if they served in the military.
Has no felony convictions.
Is not currently on parole or probation.
Has had any misdemeanor charges expunged.
Can pass a mental and physical examination.
Is, above all, truthful throughout the hiring process.
NOTE: Any waivers or limitations on the candidates’ current FAA Medical Certificate-Second Class will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for acceptability by the Police Department.
Pay increases on a step system for every year worked.
This is a unionized position and salaries, as well as work conditions, are negotiated by the union.
BENEFITS
Excellent benefits include:
$10,000 signing bonus for new hires upon successful graduation.
Referral bonus of $2,500-$7,500 per employee per hire.
A property tax credit of up to $2,500 per year for officers who live in the city.
$12,000 relocation incentive ($1,000 per month for one year).
$5,000 tuition reimbursement per year.
$5,000/year additional student loan assistance for new hires.
A pension after 25 years of service (60% of the sworn officer’s salary) or 22 years of service for military veterans who have served three years of active duty.
15 days of paid annual military leave for members of the Active Reserves and National Guard.
An option to participate in the tax-deferred, 457B retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
Paid Time Off (PTO).
Health insurance with prescription, dental and vision.
12 weeks of family and medical leave after a year of employment.
