Employment

Town of Berlin Employment Opportunity
Police Chief
Berlin Police Department
Full-Time with Benefits

Starting Salary Range:
Grade 23, Step 4 ($102,273.60) to Grade 23, Step 12 ($124,612.80), DOQ

The Town of Berlin is accepting applications for a full-time Certified Police Chief to provide strategic leadership and oversight of all police department operations. This role is responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of the community through ethical policing, accountability, effective law enforcement practices, and strong collaboration with Town leadership and community partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and management of all Police Department divisions, personnel, and operations.
• Develop, implement, and enforce departmental policies and procedures in compliance with applicable laws, standards, and best practices.
• Oversee departmental budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation in alignment with Town goals.
• Collaborate closely with Town Administration to ensure compliance with administrative policies, employment practices, and personnel procedures.
• Establish long-range goals and strategic priorities to support the department.
• Supervise and mentor command staff and officers; address performance issues and administer discipline consistent with due process.
• Represent the Police Department at Town Council meetings and within the community, fostering transparency, trust, and positive public relationships.
• Coordinate with federal, state, regional, and local law enforcement agencies on joint operations and information sharing.
• Respond to major incidents, emergencies, and critical events as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in law enforcement or a related field (or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience).
• Extensive experience as a sworn police officer, including a minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience at the rank of corporal or above.
• Thorough knowledge of modern police administration, budgeting, policy development, and performance management.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Licensing & Certification Requirements

• Maryland Police Officer Certification through the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC), or be eligible for certification within six months of hire.
• Completion of MPCTC-approved command-level or administrator training (or ability to complete within one year).
• Compliance with all MPCTC in-service training and firearms qualification requirements.
• Valid Driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Closing Day: Open until filled.

Apply: Apply today! While Police Department applications are typically accepted only through the department’s website, applications for this position will be accepted through the Town of Berlin’s website. Qualified candidates should submit a confidential Town of Berlin employment application, including an uploaded résumé and professional references. Once submitted, that information will be sent directly to the Town’s Human Resources Director, Kelsey Jensen. Please email kjensen@berlinmd.gov with any questions. Printable applications can be found online at  www.berlinmd.gov or can be picked up at 10 William Street Berlin, MD 21811. EOE/M/F/V/D.

Police Officer – Berlin Police Department

Full-time with benefits – Experienced or Cadets

The Berlin Police Department is accepting applications for full-time police officers. There will be a physical agility test for cadets at the Berlin Police Department. Upon successful completion of the physical test, the written test would follow immediately on-site.

Cadets: The starting salary for cadets is a Grade 5 Step 15 $26.81/hour ($55,764.80/annually) while in the academy and through successful completion of field training. The salary then increases to a Grade 7 Step 15 $29.56/hour ($61,484.80/annually). The approved FY 2026 Step and Grade Pay Scale is available here.

Experienced/Laterals:
Less than two (2) years of experience – Grade 7 Step 15 $29.56/hour ($61,484.80/annually).
Over two (2) years of experience – Grade 9 Step 13 $31.02/hour ($64,521.60/annually).
10+ years of experience – Grade 11 Step 11 $32.55/hour ($67,704/annually).
***Additional pay awarded to individuals with specialty fields, see below***

Applicants must:

• Be 21 Years Old.
• Be a U.S. Citizen.
• Have a high school diploma or an approved GED.
• Pass extensive background checks to include psychological exams, physical exams, drug tests, criminal history, credit check, and driving record.

Current benefits also provided by the Town of Berlin:

• Town-paid $50,000 life insurance.
• Membership with the Maryland State Retirement Law Enforcement Officers Pension System (LEOPS).
• Sixteen paid holidays a year (additional holiday pay if worked).
• Inclement weather pay.
• Shift differential pay for evening and midnight shifts.
• Specialty unit pay (examples: K9, Collision Reconstruction, Criminal Investigation Division, Polygraph Operator, Bi-lingual, or other approved specialized training).
• Sick leave (one day a month, no carryover limit).
• Personal days (two annually).
• Vacation days (6 days in year one, 12 days in years two through five, etc.).
• Educational benefits (required paid in full by town/non-required 100% reimbursed with contract).
• Overtime and compensatory leave.
• Take-home car if approved by the Chief of Police.

For questions, or to pick up a paper application, please contact the Berlin Police Department at 410-641-1333 or stop in the department at 129 Decatur Street, Berlin, MD 21811. More information here: www.berlinmdpd.org

Applications will not be accepted through the Town’s website. Police Department applications can be found here. Drop off or mail replies to the Berlin Police Department, 129 Decatur Street, Berlin, MD 21811. Applications accepted year-round and kept on file for one year. During that year, if another vacancy becomes available, the Berlin Police Department will be in contact with you. Again, DO NOT use the application on this webpage; please use the Police Department application found here. 

US Mail Address: 129 Decatur Street Berlin, MD 21811

Contact No: 410-641-1333