§ 3–502
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 3-502 (2026)
Title 3. Law Enforcement
Subtitle 5
§ 3–502LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “police officer” means a member of:
(1)
a police force of this State or another state;
(2)
a police force of a county or municipal corporation of this State or another state;
(3)
the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division;
(4)
the United States Park Police;
(5)
the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro Transit Police;
(6)
the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
(7)
the Drug Enforcement Administration; or
(8)
a division of a federal agency the primary duties of which are the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of federal crimes.
(b)
A person may not, with fraudulent design on person or property, falsely represent that the person is a police officer, special police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, or constable.
(c)
Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a person may not have, use, wear, or display a uniform, shield, button, ornament, badge, identification, or shoulder patch adopted by the Department of State Police to be worn by its members, insignia, or emblem of office, as is worn by a police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, or constable.
(d)
A person may not, for the purpose of deception, have a simulation or imitation of an article described in subsection (c) of this section as is worn by a police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, or constable.
(e)
A person may have, use, wear, or display an article described in subsection (c) of this section with the appropriate authority of:
(1)
the Secretary of State Police;
(2)
a police force of another state;
(3)
the Police Commissioner of Baltimore City;
(4)
the chief of police of a county or municipal corporation of this State or another state;
(5)
a sheriff or deputy sheriff;
(6)
a constable;
(7)
the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division;
(8)
the United States Park Police;
(9)
the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro Transit Police;
(10)
the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
(11)
the Drug Enforcement Administration; or
(12)
a division of a federal agency the primary duties of which are the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of federal crimes.
(f)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $2,000 or both.