ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Members of Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police Recruit Class 54 celebrated their graduation Friday afternoon during a ceremony at Sandy Point State Park after completing a demanding academy training program that began in September 2020. In addition to the difficulty of standard training, the new officers and their instructors from the MDTA Police Training Unit overcame challenges prompted by COVID-19 to safely complete their training.

“Graduation is the culmination of countless hours of commitment from our recruits, instructors and partners,” MDTA Police Chief Col. Kevin M. Anderson said. “I’m grateful for our training team who overcame challenge after challenge to ensure these new officers are prepared to meet the demands of a career in public service.”
The MDTA Police also celebrated the graduation of MDTA Police Recruit Class 53 during a morning ceremony Friday. Recruit Class 53 completed training and began their careers as police officers in April 2020, but a formal graduation ceremony was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m thankful we were able to celebrate Recruit Class 54 and welcome back Recruit Class 53,” MDTA Executive Director James F. Ports, Jr. said. “Class 53 completed their training at a time when we asked so much of our first responders, and they answered the call.”

Recruit Class 54 was comprised of 17 recruits from the MDTA Police and the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) Police. Recruit Class 53 consisted of 34 recruits from the MDTA Police, the MDOT MTA Police, the Annapolis Police Department and the Greenbelt Police Department.

“The past year has reminded us all of the critical role first responders have in keeping Marylanders safe and ensuring the health of our communities,” said MDOT Secretary and MDTA Chairman Greg Slater. “The men and women who have undergone this rigorous training have dedicated themselves to serving the public, and we thank them and their families for making that choice.”

The new MDTA Police Officers will now be assigned to experienced Field Training Officers (FTOs) for additional training. The FTOs will build on academy training with practical application of what the new officers have learned.

MDTA Police Officers will then be assigned to detachments at MDTA toll facilities, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Port of Baltimore. After successfully completing a two-year probation period, officers will be eligible to pursue specialized assignments, such as the Special Response Team, K-9 Unit, Motor Unit or Detective Unit.

Visit https://mdta.maryland.gov/Police/Police_Main.html to learn more about the MDTA Police.