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(BALTIMORE) -- Maryland State Police joined local, state and federal partners to respond following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, during which six workers lost their lives.
From the moment of the collapse, Maryland State Police took on many roles including ensuring the public's safety and assisting with the search of the victims. Among the MDSP units that responded were the Underwater Rescue Team, which immediately assisted with search and recovery operations. Through April 13, MDSP divers have helped locate and recover three of the victims.
The Aviation Command dispatched two helicopters to assist with the search and rescue operations on the day of the collapse. They also coordinated Temporary Flight Restriction airspace established by the Federal Aviation Administration in and around the site of the collapse and assisted with identifying civilian drone incursions in the restricted airspace.
In addition, Criminal Enforcement Division investigators worked jointly with the Governor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, Baltimore County Immigrant Affairs, FBI Victim Specialists and FBI interpreters to provide updates on salvage operations to the families of the missing workers. Troopers also assisted with notifications to the families of the missing workers who were recovered.
“The collapse of the Key Bridge is undoubtedly one of the most challenging tragedies we have faced as a law enforcement agency. Along with our local, state and federal public safety partners, we will not give up,” said Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police. “There are families still waiting to hear if we have found their loved one. I can promise you, we are fully committed to finding closure for each of these families."
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(COLUMBIA, MD) -- The 2024 Maryland State Police Women's Summit reverberated with a clear focus: holistic wellness and planning for a more fruitful future for women within the agency.
About 50 people convened on March 27 in Columbia, Maryland, for the second annual Maryland State Police Women’s Summit. Attendees included personnel from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command, Forensic Sciences Division, Recruitment and Selection Unit, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Criminal Enforcement Division.
The all-day summit delved into the challenges confronting women in the workplace, including representation, recruitment and retention.
The event began with an engaging icebreaker, where participants gathered in groups to explore the various "masks" they wear both professionally and personally. Sergeant Quintina Walker, Assistant Commander of the Recruitment and Selection Unit, and one of the summit's presenters, kickstarted a discussion with the group to brainstorm strategies for increasing female representation within the Maryland State Police.
“Recruiting is about planting the seed for the future,” Sergeant Walker said. “It’s about visibility too and getting the word out.”
Attendees emphasized the importance of meeting young people, particularly girls, to motivate them to consider a career in law enforcement. This could be in schools through programs such as JROTC and after-school sports, or tapping into more unconventional avenues such as pride events.
Discussions also highlighted the challenges stemming from the prevailing cultural perceptions surrounding law enforcement, which participants said often hinder the image of modern-day police officers. They stressed the need for improving the public image for many within the profession, noting that while a single "bad apple" can tarnish the reputation of law enforcement, other professions, such as in medicine where medical malpractice may occur, do not face the same level of scrutiny.
Another obstacle in recruitment lies in ensuring widespread awareness of the agency's various resources and divisions, attendees said. Demonstrating the presence of women in law enforcement serves to make the profession more tangible for girls—an idea that resonated deeply with the group.
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(PIKESVILLE, MD) -- The Maryland Department of State Police Forensic Sciences Division proudly announced its implementation of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) Registry Standards for Forensic Science. This significant accomplishment marks a major goal achieved by the Maryland Department of State Police Forensic Sciences Division in 2024.
The OSAC for Forensic Science plays a pivotal role in establishing national standards that outline minimum requirements, best practices, standard protocols, and other guidance essential for ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of forensic analysis results. While these standards are not mandatory, forensic science laboratories are strongly encouraged to adopt them to enhance the quality and integrity of their services.
Only approximately a third of the forensic science service providers nationwide have declared their commitment to voluntarily embrace these standards. The Maryland Department of State Police Forensic Sciences Division is proud to be the 154th organization to adopt these standards. Out of the current 182 standards listed on the OSAC Registry, the Forensic Sciences Division has adopted 44 standards (10 fully and 34 partially) most relevant to their work.
“Adopting OSAC standards demonstrates our overarching commitment to Quality Assurance,” said Daniel Katz, Director of the Maryland Department of State Police Forensic Sciences Division. “The Forensic Sciences Division is already accredited to international standards and licensed by the State of Maryland, but voluntarily incorporating OSAC standards helps further ensure that the testing methods we use within the different forensic disciplines are in line with the most current and best practices. By making this declaration, we have started that process by adopting the applicable existing standards and putting ourselves in a position to address future OSAC standards as they are released. As a result, the citizens of Maryland can be that much more confident in the quality of our work.”
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(PIKESVILLE, MD) -- On March 7, the Maryland State Police Museum played host to an event celebrating Minority, Small, and Veterans Business Enterprises (MSVBEs). The occasion provided MSVBEs with a unique opportunity to engage directly with Procurement Officers, showcasing their goods and services with the goal of securing contracts with the Maryland Department of State Police.
Throughout the event, MSVBEs engaged in meaningful discussions with the Procurement Officers, highlighting the value and quality of their services. A diverse range of businesses presented their capabilities, demonstrating the wealth of talent from Maryland’s business community.
The event was a success with MSVBEs forging valuable connections and Procurement Officers gaining insight into the diverse array of businesses eager to support the mission of the Maryland Department of State Police. We extend our sincere appreciation to all who participated and contributed to making this event a success.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to facilitating opportunities for collaboration and growth between MSVBEs and the Maryland Department of State Police.
For further inquiries or to explore future partnership opportunities, please click below.
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(PIKESVILLE, MD) -- Former State Fire Marshal Rocco J. Gabriele died March 13 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 90.
Gabriele was first appointed to the position on November 1, 1982, by Secretary Thomas Schmit of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. At the time of his retirement in 2001, only one other State Fire Marshal in the United States had a longer tenure than Gabriele.
"With a long legacy, the passing of State Fire Marshal Rocco Gabriele is a loss to the Maryland public safety community. Gabriele had the honor of being the longest-serving Maryland State Fire Marshal with nearly two decades of service to the citizens of our State, in addition to the many years he previously served with the Maryland State Police," said Chief Deputy and Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray.
"During his tenure, Fire Marshal Gabriele was instrumental in professionalizing the law enforcement role of our agency. Under his leadership, our deputies became better equipped, modern uniforms and protective equipment were issued, and agency vehicles were upgraded and fully marked for emergency response. His influences continue to impact everyone in Maryland from fire and explosives hazards," Mowbray continued.
Before being appointed State Fire Marshal, Gabriele retired as a Captain from the Maryland State Police, with 24 years of dedicated service, overseeing the Maryland State Crime Lab.
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The Maryland State Police Ice Hockey team recently clinched its second straight Maryland Heroes Hockey League (MHHL) title.
Overwhelming support for team members from co-workers, family and friends truly amplified the spirit of the event, which is to shine a positive light on the department for community engagement.
The MHHL is the premiere first responder hockey league on the East Coast. Maryland State Police has participated in the MHHL since 2018. MDSP team members consist of troopers, federal and local law enforcement and first responders from Maryland. This year’s charity of choice was Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a non-profit that provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and builds specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
The team also participates in other charitable tournaments, including the Pennsylvania State Police’s Troopers Helping Troopers. The Maryland State Police Ice Hockey team’s commitment to making a positive impact both on and off the ice is the ultimate accolade to the MDSP family.
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Habibah Cisse, a dynamic 19-year-old, delves deep into the world of forensic sciences as an intern for the Maryland Department of State Police. She has embraced the role of a Forensic Inventory Control Officer (FICO) within the Forensic Sciences Division since August 2023.
Enthusiastic and eager to contribute her skills and learn from seasoned professionals, she selected the internship with MDSP because it aligns with her interests in forensics and crime scene investigation. Cisse engages herself by meticulously scanning new cases into the system and organizing files for expert examination.
She applied for the internship through the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option program, facilitated by the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation. Residing in Baltimore County, Cisse harbors ambitious aspirations, hoping to work for the FBI one day.
Cisse sees the internship as a pivotal stepping stone toward realizing her dream. Each day she spends with the MDSP is an opportunity to absorb knowledge and experiences that will undoubtedly shape her future career.
If you are interested in applying for an internship with the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation, click below:
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In light of the tragic Key Bridge collapse, I wanted to take this month to talk about our response to critical incidents. There are a variety of services available to assist employees involved in critical incidents. The resources fall along a continuum of care from crisis concern phone calls, to providing peer support, to offering specialized clinical services like crisis intervention or therapy. We assist groups and individuals, depending on the nature of the incident. If an incident expands or requires a protracted recovery, we have a fantastic network of public safety peer support coordinators across Maryland, and we regularly combine resources to support all of the personnel within the Department.
In the days following the Key Bridge collapse, all of our divers were contacted for a “welfare check." It was also a good time to go over post-incident basics like these:
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Every critical incident response -- and any reaction you may have -- is unique to you. If you have NO reaction, that is fine. If you DO have a reaction, that’s fine, too. The critical incident stress reaction is largely physiological, based in neuroscience.
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Sometimes a critical incident reaction comes hours, days, even weeks later. You may even be impacted unexpectedly, and that can catch you off guard. Signs and symptoms can include: changes in sleep or appetite; reoccurring thoughts/smells/sights about the scene; increased sadness, anger, or irritability; nightmares; increased tension; and physical complaints such as headache and nausea.
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Often what might be a critical incident for one person, may not be for another person. For example, a responder with children around the same age as our victims MAY react more strongly than someone else.
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You do not have to be “on the scene” or “sworn” to be impacted by a critical incident. We must remember our emergency dispatchers, forensic scientists, inspectors and others with a role in managing traumatic incidents.
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Wellness tips following a critical incident: eat well-balanced and regular meals; don’t make big life changes or significant life decisions; maintain your regular routine as much as possible; don’t numb yourself with overuse of alcohol or drugs; balance physical exercise with rest and reach out to trusted coworkers.
Throughout the year, we provide education about crisis management & related resources. If you'd like to learn more, contact me at ericas.carlson@maryland.gov or 301-501-0386.
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Erica Carlson, LCSW-C, in the MDSP's first full-time Mental Health Clinical Provider. She has worked in the mental health profession for more than 30 years.
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(Sykesville, MD) -- Boys & Girls Club teams across Maryland linked up with senior leadership from the Maryland Department of State Police for a training session last month. Together, we are crafting innovative plans to deliver impactful programs and mentorships across the entire State. |
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(Prince Frederick) -- Daisy Troop #11804 recently invited troopers from the Prince Frederick Barrack to talk about the police and other community heroes in Calvert County.
First Sergeant Bervard and Senior Trooper Costello joined the Troop meeting and discussed safety, honesty and kindness.
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(Forestville, MD)-- Sergeant Rogers and Trooper Butt of the Forestville Barrack recently attended the Metropolitan Baptist Church's 2nd Annual College and Career Fair. This was a valuable opportunity for high school students to explore their options for the future. Special thank you to Ms. Roberts for the invitation. |
(Bel Air, MD)- Congratulations to Trooper First Class Reckeweg, Trooper First Class Rowe and Trooper Kumador on being honored by Harford County State's Attorney Alison Healy for their efforts in DUI enforcement. |
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(Glen Burnie, MD) --Last month, Corporal Wynne, Trooper First Class Litz and Trooper First Class Garvey of the Glen Burnie Barrack participated in "Coffee With A Cop" at the Cromwell Park Starbucks. These Troopers not only stirred up great conversations, but also good coffee. |
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