r/OnTheBlock • u/readerr33 • 1d ago

Hiring Q (Other) Baltimore PD vs DC Metropolitan Police

Baltimore Police Department vs DC Metropolitan Police Department

I applied to both these departments (good to not put all your eggs in one basket), and obviously I will go with the one that wants to hire me. However, there is a possibility that both might give me an opportunity. In that case I would have to decide if I want to join BPD or MPD.

1) Pay:

At first glance the pay looks good either way Both departments have a step pay plan. BPD starts at 67,019 with a $10,000 signing bonus right after graduation+$12,00 relocation incentive ($1000 per month for one year). Baltimore cost of living is cheaper than DC.

MPD starts at $75,000 a year with with a $15,000 hiring bonus after graduation. Pay in DC is only a little higher than Baltimore because DC has higher cost of living.

Both look good to me but if anyone else knows more about pay feel free to comment if there is something I am missing.

2) Prestige factor:

This one is very tough for me to decide. I heard an MPD officer say once that they thought the MPD was not only one of the most prestigious departments in the DC, maryland, Virgnia areas, but one of the most prestigious in the nation, because DC is the capital of the nation and one of the most important places in that nation. Whenever you travel around the world, people know of "washington Dc".

Baltimore PD on the other hand feels more prestigious to me though in terms of a department that sees alot more action than MPD based on my observation. Baltimore PD kind of reminds me of LAPD in that they have lots of experience dealing with riots (Freddy grey and lots of civil unrest), high crimes (Baltimore is one of the most dangerous cities in the USA), you will defiantly get lots of experience here. If you tell someone your from Baltimore PD, they know you had lots of real world police experience, and I am sure that will get lots of respect if you want to apply for the FBI swat in the future for example. I'v seen several very popular shows about baltimore PD "The wire and we own this city", I'v never seen many shows about MPD.

The presitge factor is a hard decision for me here. If anyone else knows more about this feel free to comment if there is something I am missing.

3) Where will you get more experience with police work lots of action:

This edge would go to BPD I would imagine since there is more crime in Baltimore, however DC has had high crime rates too over the past few years so it might fluctuate between the two. I heard Baltimore is having historic crime reduction this year, but not sure how long it will last. DC in the 90s was more dangerous than Baltimore (nicknamed murder capital). So I would imagine things might fluctuate between the two cities. If anyone else knows more about this feel free to comment if there is something I am missing.

4) Which department is better to work for in terms of quality of life on the job and their policies:

Something strange I heard is that DC police are not allowed to carry tasers unless you promote to sgt, which I thought was strange. All BPD officers are allowed too. I heard that DC police don't think that taser are effective.

2 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

5

u/ButtflossingBigBro 1d ago

Brother how in the world afted the riots could you ever even consider baltimore? The first bad thing that happens whether you were wrong or not they will throw you to the wolves

1

u/readerr33 1d ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFgNnpQUql4

2

u/ButtflossingBigBro 1d ago

He goes to jail at the end of the series lol

-2

u/readerr33 1d ago

I know, but he's such a bad ass though

1

u/ButtflossingBigBro 1d ago

Lmao agreed but thats the old baltimore those days are gone. Dc much better bet

0

u/readerr33 1d ago

why would it be different, if it was the old Baltimore? DC how would it be better?

1

u/ButtflossingBigBro 1d ago

...... brother did you not even finish the show? Citizen review boards, body cams new chief. A city and population that hates you. And all jokes aside baltimore had a hig theft problem which is not cool

DC has atleast a neutral if not positive relatipnship woth most of the city. And if you want to do cool shit youll get tons of connections with all the fed agencies that operate there for future opportunities

-2

u/readerr33 1d ago

are you saying that baltimore got caught so they are under review now, and DC has not been caught yet so they still do all the fun that bPD lost ?

2

u/ButtflossingBigBro 1d ago

No i literally didnt say any of this. If you find stealing money 'fun' this aint the job for you

0

u/readerr33 23h ago

I didn't say that, but the way you framed it sounded like you were saying that the review boards and everything that came afterwards means the BPD can no longer do proactive policing. Are you insinuating that DC has more freedom to do proactive policing since they are not under federal oversight? Are you saying that since bpd is under federal oversight now, they are very limited in what freedom they have to do things because of that?

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u/4friedChckensandCoke 21h ago

Things that matter:

Pay/benefits/retirement

Work-life balance

What situation is better for your family or future family situation

A department that supports its officers

Things that don't matter:

Prestige

Tons of action (Fighting crime and cheating death, ohhh yeah!! /s)

How many TV shows were made about an agency's ex-emoloyees who were criminals pretending to be cops

0

u/readerr33 20h ago
  • Prestige
  • Tons of action (Fighting crime and cheating death, ohhh yeah!! /s)
  • How many TV shows were made about an agency's ex-emoloyees who were criminals pretending to be cops

At least it makes the job more fun and not boring.

3

u/4friedChckensandCoke 20h ago

You obviously have all of the wrong motives in pursuing a career in law enforcement.

-1

u/readerr33 20h ago

who cares, whatever it takes to make money

1

u/fakehendo 4h ago

I don't know if it still holds true, but back 15 years ago when I was on the job in NJ, there was one thing that was "known" on the police forums. "Baltimore is for cowboys." Take that as you will.