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(PIKESVILLE, MD) -- Maryland State Police joined faith-based organizations and law enforcement agencies across the state to celebrate National Faith & Blue Weekend, which took place from Oct. 6-9, 2023.
National Faith & Blue Weekend is a collaborative initiative that builds bridges and breaks down biases through activities and outreach amongst law enforcement professionals and the communities they serve. Faith & Blue was launched to facilitate safer, stronger, more just and unified communities by directly enabling local partnerships among law enforcement professionals, residents, businesses and community groups through the connections of local faith-based organizations.
The weekend is based on the premise that strong communities are built on mutual respect, trust and understanding. Law enforcement entities and faith-based groups are key pillars of a local community, and when they work together, neighborhoods thrive.
Maryland State Police embraced this concept and had events planned everywhere from Western Maryland to the Baltimore region to the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland. Troopers gathered with communities of many faiths with the goal of realizing effective police-community engagement.
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(SYKESVILLE, MD) -- Sergeant Catherine Decerbo and Corporal Kristie Peterson were honored as Maryland State Police's Instructors of the Year during an awards ceremony last month at the Public Safety Education and Training Center in Sykesville.
Sergeant Decerbo, who was named MSP Academy Instructor of the Year, is the Curriculum Coordinator for the Communications Curriculum within the Maryland State Police. In 2022, she continued to expand, modernize, streamline and improve her curriculum to meet the needs of modern law enforcement. She was even able to accomplish all of this at the same time her curriculum was changed from just covering written communication, to now include all forms of communication, written, verbal, and radio.
Sergeant DeCerbo was instrumental in the development of a written communications improvement program jointly developed with Frederick Community College. This program expands Troopers writing abilities both in the academy, and after they leave and move to the field. Even as Sergeant DeCerbo has been tasked with more responsibilities, she has always stepped up to get the job done and is a leader within police training.
Corporal Peterson, MSP's Adjunct Instructor of the Year, is assigned to the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. Corporal Peterson has been an instructor for approximately six years, and most recently was instrumental in bringing the Stop the Bleed Program to life within the Maryland Department of State Police. Her expertise in medical equipment and supply ordering, clinical background as a flight paramedic, and contacts with the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, were a perfect fit. Corporal Peterson assisted from initial planning, all the way through execution and delivery of this life-saving training.
Congratulations Sergeant Decerbo and Corporal Peterson!!!
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Four troopers from the Maryland State Police and five deputies from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office Honor Guard teams recently attended a weeklong honor guard training conference.
This conference was hosted by the Delaware State Police and was held at the Delaware State Trooper Association Hall in Cheswold, Delaware. During this honor guard training conference, the deputies and troopers joined and trained with nearly two dozen law enforcement agencies from across the country to sharpen their skills. The training included 40 hours of precision, and attention to detail in ceremonial drill techniques, rifle volley, firing party procedures, 21-gun salute, casket and urn watch, casket movement, and flag folding.
The Maryland State Police Honor Guard is composed of troopers from across the state who dedicate themselves to honoring the fallen and paying final respects to retired state troopers. Those who serve on the honor guard have dedicated themselves to training, a commitment to exceptional military bearing, uniforms and serving with the utmost respect.
The motto of the Maryland State Police Honor Guard is Honoris Gratia Quantum – “For the sake of honor and respect." Troopers who completed the training were Trooper First Class. Matthew Hughes, Senior Trooper Glenn Henry, Corporal Timothy Weber and First Sergeant James Lyles.
The deputies from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office who attended were Deputy State Fire Marshal John Yedinak, Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Zachary Dell, Deputy State Fire Marshal Adam Rounds, Deputy State Fire Marshal Rockey Reed, master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire.
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(PIKESVILLE, MD) -- After eight years with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Kachina, one of Maryland’s most beloved arson detection dogs, has retired.
The 10-year-old black lab is one of four trained Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) dogs within the agency and is the most senior canine among the 62 teams across the United States. She and her partner, Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire, have assisted in over 600 cases in their time together throughout Maryland, as well as Delaware and Pennsylvania.
During her career, Kachina has responded to or trained in every county within Maryland and Baltimore City, an accomplishment that few K9s have experienced and a testament to her drive and dedication to everyone in Maryland.
Kachina was initially trained as a guide dog to aid the visually impaired by the Guiding Eyes for the Blind. However, her drive was recognized to be better suited as a working dog, and at age 2, she was procured by the ATF to begin her training in arson prevention.
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Meet Corporal/Flight Paramedic, Jaclyn Pickett, of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC), also known as Hospital Corpsman Second Class Pickett of the United States Navy Reserve.
Starting her career as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Corporal Pickett's love for aviation grew after seeing the MSPAC in action.
Since graduating from the Academy in 2015, she says, "Everyday since has reflected the best version of myself," she said. "I feel an immense sense of fulfillment when I arrive at work. Even on my worst days, I still take a moment to reflect on the hard work and determination it took to get to this point."
Thank you for your service, Corporal Pickett.
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Meet Mr. Steven Kirkwood, an Administrative Officer with the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division and a U.S. Air Force Veteran.
He spent 10 years total in the Air Force, with 4 active duty and 6 reserve as an Air Transportation Specialist.
Mr. Kirkwood details how his interest in the Maryland State Police came to be, "As a child, I always viewed troopers in the highest esteem, from appearance to the way they treated people with respect and courtesy. I found that I could return to my community in the same sense....over the course of 25 1/2 years, I believe that my actions have saved numerous accidents from occurring on Maryland's highways."
Thank you for your service, Mr. Kirkwood.
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Western Maryland communities gathered with MSP at Trooper 5 in Cumberland for the annual "Not So Scary" Halloween event. |
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A big shoutout to everyone who came to the MSP Family Friendly Job Fair and Trunk or Treat event, which took place on Oct. 28 in Pikesville. You could have been anywhere, but you chose to be with us, and we thank you.
The Maryland State Police offers a variety of fulfilling careers with competitive pay and generous benefits.
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On Oct. 13, troopers from the Maryland State Police Annapolis Barrack participated in "The 5th Quarter" event at Broadneck High School in Annapolis.
The event took place in an outdoor field after the school's Homecoming Football game, where well over 350 high schoolers attended the event. There were food, games, and activities, including an activity with MSP to remind them of the dangers of impaired driving.
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Crime Scene Technician Sexton represented the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division at a recent Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company Open House.
Thank you to Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company for having us and for all who came out to learn more about our Forensic Sciences Division.
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Maryland State Police McHenry Barrack Lieutenant Sigmund and Sergeant Bell participated in the Northern High School JROTC Raiders competition with Garrett County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, McHenry Barrack troopers Master Trooper Brenneman and Trooper First Class Bradley were present to support all JROTC competitors during the event on October 11, 2023 |
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