Recruitment underway for new Johns Hopkins Police Department

BALTIMORE, Md. (WBFF) — The Johns Hopkins Police Department (JHPD) will soon be a reality in Baltimore City.

Recruitment of sworn police officers is underway, according to the Johns Hopkins University website.

JHPD is advertising a starting salary of $70,000, a 20 percent salary increase for those who live in Baltimore City, and 12-hour shifts, “for a great work/life balance.”

Hiring efforts for the University’s newly-formed police department comes as many law enforcement agencies in the Baltimore region try to recruit and retain sworn officers.

“Cops right now around the country can really afford to be a bit picky,” said National Police Association spokesperson, Sergeant Betsy Smith.

According to Smith, public safety agencies nationwide are competing to hire new officers and poaching experienced officers from each other.

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“As of 2021, we had a 47 percent increase in police retirements and resignations in this country,” said Smith. “So what we see now in 2024 is almost an atmosphere of desperation.”

JHU’s plans to establish a private police force were met with protests and legal action over the last few years.

Responding to questions from FOX45 News on Monday, a Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Public Safety spokesperson indicated recruitment officially began six months ago.

The Johns Hopkins Police Department (JHPD) is actively searching for qualified professionals who value service, diversity, and collaboration to ensure community safety. Recruitment started in September 2023. Several individuals are currently in the hiring process. The Johns Hopkins University Police Department is statutorily authorized to hire 100 employees.

Smith offered advice for JHU as the recruitment of police officers moves forward.

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“Are they looking for their students and their faculty and their visitors to be safer?” Smith asked. “And if that’s what they want -- then they need to recruit officers who also have that best interest in mind and make sure that neither the department or officers get politicized, or abused or used as pawns.”

As JHPD advertises a starting salary of $70,000, the nearby Anne Arundel County Police Department advertises a starting salary of $62,160 and a $20,000 signing bonus.

In both 2022 and 2023, the Baltimore Police Department offered a starting salary just above $60,000.