Judiciary Special Police Officer

Maryland Judiciary; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 54,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Tuition assistance

Continuing education programs

Employee assistance programs

State retirement and pension plans

Job summary

Maryland Judiciary is seeking a Judiciary Special Police Officer (SPO) in Annapolis, MD. The SPO will provide security for judges, staff, and the public, screen ingress, operate CCTV, and respond to emergencies. The role requires de‑escalation skills, physical fitness, and ability to work rotating shifts including weekends.

The position is full-time, non-exempt, with a comprehensive benefits package. Salary for 2026 is listed as $63,851 annually.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Three (3) years of prior law enforcement experience.
• Certificate of graduation from an accredited Police Training Academy; must have had powers of arrest.

Responsibilities

• Operate X-ray and magnetometer equipment to screen visitors and deliveries.
• Patrol interior and exterior of buildings to maintain safety.
• Respond to medical and security emergencies and assist with evacuations when needed.
• Monitor CCTV and alarm systems and assist in security investigations as required.
• Conduct security assessments and participate in training sessions for Judiciary staff.

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Division/Department

Administrative Office of the Courts, Operations

Job Title

Judiciary Special Police Officer (SPO)

Division/Department

Administrative Office of the Courts, Operations

Security Administration

Closing Date

October 20, 2026

Location

Annapolis, MD 21401

Salary

$63,851

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

At Will

Yes

Position Type

Fulltime

Benefits

The Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans.

Maryland Judiciary Benefits (mdcourts.gov)

About the Maryland Court System | Maryland Courts (mdcourts.gov)

Maryland Judiciary Salary Scales 2026

Main Purpose Of Role

The Maryland Judiciary Special Police Officers (SPOs) provide security to judges, visitors, employees, and the public by maintaining secured ingress into and egress from the Courts of Appeal Building and other assigned Annapolis Complex posts. Duties also include patrolling rounds inside and outside the facilities, operating X-ray machines, inspecting packages and bags for prohibited items, operating magnetometers, and screening persons for weapons and other contraband. SPOs are to notify the proper authority and properly dispose of all contraband discovered during the screening process. SPOs view and operate the CCTV video surveillance systems, which includes the selection of views and the operation of Pan Tilt Zoom and IP cameras and monitor alarm systems. SPOs respond to all alarms ? duress, burglar, medical emergencies, etc. with appropriate service which may include, but is not limited to, calling for emergency law enforcement or medical assistance, using an AED, performing CPR, administering basic first aid, or intervening in any potential volatile situation. SPOs must be able to de-escalate any potential volatile situation, be able to restrain and arrest persons to prevent any further escalation of violence, which may require physical interaction with a subject that may need to be subdued in compliance with a use of force policy. SPOs interact and satisfactorily address any security concerns addressed by the judges, visitors, employees, and the public, and conduct investigations as necessary. SPOs evacuate buildings in emergencies, which includes quickly ascending and descending stairs in buildings with up to five floors. SPOs communicate with first responders to provide and receive information during emergencies. SPOs work rotating shifts and may be required to work on weekends. SPOs may be required to do presentations for Judiciary staff and conduct various training (CPR, Active Attacker, etc.). SPOs will provide security duties at off-site locations and drive a state-issued vehicle to designated locations while transporting Judiciary personnel, as directed. SPOs will be given periodic projects to complete that may require research, and development in preparing a final product, and perform tasks such as Home Security Assessments, Courthouse Security Reviews, driving assignments, and other tasks as assigned.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Operate X-ray and magnetometer equipment to screen visitors, members of the public, mail, and all deliveries. Disallow dangerous possessions or contraband on visitors upon entering. Report deficiencies and inoperable equipment throughout the facilities.

Patrol the interior and exterior of buildings.

Protect and preserve peace and good order as outlined under Maryland law and authorized in their commission, including by serving as first responder and essential personnel for the safety of Judiciary property and employees and visitors to Judiciary offices. This includes responding immediately to medical and security emergencies (which may be in multiple buildings) to include bomb threat, active shooter, fire, medical, etc.; be able to restrain a full-size combatant and respond to other security threats. Assist in the safe evacuation of court facilities in emergencies.

Operate and observe activity captured on cameras.

Complete all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma (or GED equivalent).
• Experience: Three (3) years of previous law enforcement experience.
• Licenses and Certifications required: Certificate of graduation from an accredited Federal, State, County, or Municipal Police Training Academy. Must have had powers of arrest or apprehension in the course of their employment.
• Note: Applicant(s) must have separated from their law enforcement agency in good standing.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Operational knowledge of X-ray machines, walk through and hand‑held metal detectors; Ability to recognize and diffuse difficult situations by taking appropriate action promptly; Ability to accept direction from directors, deputy directors, and executive staff; Ability to work varying shifts including weekends; Ability to be professional, courteous, and tactful with judges, citizens, and co‑workers, and willingness to assist the public and co‑workers as needed. Must be able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive and confidential information. Ability to use PeopleSoft products for time keeping.

Ability to pass a vigorous background check, including references (must have separated from their place of employment in law enforcement in good standing); Ability to perform all essential functions of this position; Knowledge of Genetec or similar access control system and CCTV system; Ability to communicate both professionally and tactfully both verbally, in writing, and in presentations; Must have working knowledge of administrative procedures and system and be able to work as a member of a team. Have knowledge of and follows Standards Operating Procedures relative to emergency or unusual incidents. Uses good judgment and maintains composure under pressure. Have considerable knowledge of state and local criminal laws.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform all physical requirements of this position including, but not limited to:
• Ability to run between building locations to respond to an emergency and/or life-threatening situations.
• Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to restrain a full-size combatant and defend themselves, employees, and visitors to the offices and courts, against disorderly or combative persons.
• Ability to assist an adult person up from a wheelchair to screen them with a hand wand.
• Serves as the first responder in any emergency (such as fire, bomb threat, active shooter) to quickly ascend and descend up to 5 flights of stairs.
• In an emergency, be able to relocate a dead‑weight body to a safe location.
• Ability to lift a package from the floor up 32 inches (height of X-ray machine), up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to hold a firearm at arm’s length to discharge the firearm repeatedly until threat is eliminated - both left and right-handed.
• Ability to use a hand‑held magnetometer repetitively to screen the body of a person from the floor up and down, side to side, until all persons are screened.
• Ability to hear and differentiate multiple voices and directions to respond promptly in an emergency and for calls of assistance.
• Ability to provide a thorough description of people, vehicles, and other identifiers including color, size, height, etc.
• Ability to operate, listen, and respond to directions from a hand‑held radio.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to conduct security assessments in private homes and courthouses.

The SPO Must

• Maintain a valid driver's license with 2 points or less.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a Special Police Office License, which is to be renewed every three (3) years.
• Be able to demonstrate competent and safe weapon handling, which is to be renewed every (1) year.
• Be able to pass firearms classroom, written test and qualification.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a handgun permit, which is to be renewed every three (3) years.
• Be able to obtain and maintain Taser Certification, which is to be renewed every (1) year.
• Be able to obtain First Aid, AED, and CPR certifications within the first six (6) months of employment and maintain certifications every two (2) years thereafter.

Selection Process

Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. If you have held more than one (1) position at the same employer, you must list each position that you held, the length of time that you held each position, and the corresponding duties. Description of duties that state, "see resume" will negatively impact consideration for this position. Applicants will not be contacted for additional information. Only applicants considered for this position will be contacted.

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

For further information please contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail] .

The Maryland Judiciary is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. Applicants who need an ADA Accommodation during the application and/or interview process should send their request via email to [e-mail] or call 410-260-1732. The Maryland Judiciary is a drug‑free workplace. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States.

Please find the Maryland Judiciary’s equal employment opportunity policy here: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation .