State Police Launch New Aviation Cadet Program

[ScanManQSL]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2007


STATE POLICE LAUNCH NEW AVIATION CADET PROGRAM

(Pikesville, MD) - Maryland State Police are actively recruiting
motivated young men and women to become part of a world renowned
aviation program by joining the ranks of an elite Aviation Command as
Aviation Cadets.

This nationally recognized aeromedical program wants to give
enthusiastic candidates between the ages of 18-20 the opportunity of a
lifetime. Cadets will get hands on experience, while working alongside a
skilled flight crew onboard a Maryland State Police medevac helicopter.
The duties of the position consist of providing emergency medical care
to the critically sick or injured, assisting in aerial search and
rescue, and a wide-range of other law enforcement and homeland security
missions.

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command is continually
developing initiatives to provide the highest standards of aeromedical
services to the citizens and visitors of Maryland. In support of this
effort, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command has instituted a
second care provider program to increase its flight crew compliment to
two emergency medical providers and a pilot.

"This is another fine example of how the Aviation Command
continues to enhance a system that is already the best in the nation,"
said Colonel Thomas E. Hutchins, Secretary of the Department of State
Police. "This is an exciting opportunity for young people interested in
emergency medical services to become part of a team of dedicated women
and men who literally save lives everyday."

This highly competitive Aviation Cadet program offers a unique
opportunity to expose young men and women to the various duties,
responsibilities and challenges of the EMS profession. Recruiters have
already begun seeking qualified and dedicated individuals willing to
join its team of elite professionals. Robert C. Tomlinson, 20, from
Rising Sun, Maryland, became the first individual to meet this
challenge. He was appointed as an Aviation Cadet in November 2006.

Prospective candidates will be hired as full time employees,
earning $22,871 a year. They must maintain a minimum EMT-B
certification. For more information about the Aviation Command and the
Aviation Cadet program, visit the Maryland State Police website at
www.mdsp.org or www.mspaviation.org.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

* Age—18 to 20 years old. An applicant may be processed at age 17, but cannot be appointed until reaching the age of 18.
* Certification—Must possess Maryland EMT-B certification prior to the date of hire.
* Weight—Weight must be in proportion to height.
* Education—Must have a high school diploma or GED.
* Citizenship—Must be a U. S. Citizen.
* Vision—Must have binocular far and near visual acuity, with or without correction, must be 20/20.
* Driver's License—Must possess a valid driver’s license in any state and a satisfactory driving record.
* Physical Standards—Must be in excellent physical condition.
* Integrity—Must be truthful in every state of the application process.
* Character—Must have a good reputation and sound moral character. Must not have any current court orders relating to domestic violence.
* Must be willing and capable of flying onboard our helicopters.

SELECTION PROCESS

* Orientation
* Functional Fitness Test
* Oral Interview Board
* Polygraph Examination
* Background Investigation
* Drug Testing
* Physical Examination


CONTACT: Lieutenant Anita L. Allen
Program Manager
Aviation Command
410-238-5800

 

[TinEar]

Now why in the world in the qualifications section would they list?:

* Character—Must have a good reputation and sound moral character. Must not have any current court orders relating to domestic violence.

I could understand requiring no criminal record but, if you had to pick just one bad trait, that's really an "off the wall" item to pull out of the thousands of possible criminal liabilities of an applicant - especially someone in the 18-20 year old age group. I was thinking that had to be written by a woman - some feminist loon with severe issues - and then I saw the signature. Sure enough...Anita L. Allen. I wonder what her problem is although I can guess.

Otherwise, it sounds like a good program to bring young blood to the Aviation Command although it will almost surely be limited to a tiny handful of individuals.

 

[Mark]

Good one Tin!
Why not post character ref as to no current charges with SPCA for dog beater
or for excessive drinking?.
Guessing She is a Oprah watcher! All Men are jerks and Women infallible...LOL

Mark

 

[Spleen]

Not to side with the Oprah crowd, but a domestic violence rap is enough to get a badge/gun pulled from a sworn officer....

 

[TinEar]

Not to side with the Oprah crowd, but a domestic violence rap is enough to get a badge/gun pulled from a sworn officer....

Especially if your name is Kevin P. Clark and you're the Police Commisioner of Baltimore and the mayor wants you fired.

Since the news release is specifically recruiting 18-20 year olds - and applications from 17 year olds, I wonder what percentage of that age group has a rap sheet for domestic violence? I would bet it's fairly tiny. It just seems a very odd thing to pick out of all the criminal laws as the only one to be mentioned. I would have selected drug crimes or simply said, "Must not have any criminal convictions." But that's just me. What the hell do I know?

 

[troymail]

While I agree it seems like an odd thing to single out, consider that a restraining order or something of that nature does not imply a conviction of anything on one's record... It's interesting how many people apply for something thinking that things in their past don't mean alot. I think they are just pointing out that these things do in fact mean something.

Some folks simply need to be constantly reminded that they will at some point be held accountable for their actions - maybe not today - but what you do will affect you for years to come.

 

[Spleen]

Apparently they're serious about it, at least here in MD....I transferred a handgun to a Baltimore County cop at a gun store a while back....part of the process involved him having to show the dealer a letter from his CO (on BCountyPD letterhead) stating that he was an officer in good standing, blahblahblah, and that he was NOT under investigation for any domestic violence incidents/charges....

 

[lawman349]

They specifically listed domestic violence because an Ex Parte Order or other protective order that is currently in effect disqualifies ANYONE, including a police officer, from carrying or possessing a firearm for the duration of the order. This is a FEDERAL law. It even applies to the military.

Some protective orders are permanent in nature. Others are temporary pending final review by a judicial officer. Either way, it isn't fiscally prudent to conduct a background investigation on someone who is the respondent on one of these orders.

...and you'd be surprised how many of these orders are served on 18-20 year olds...

Since the spirit of this program is to eventually hire the candidate as a trooper/medic, the same hiring criteria are used.

 

[wvd1979]

I think this would be a noble program, although extremely competitive.