§ 3-502
388 words·~2 min read·
/md/public-safety/3-502A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
§3–502.
(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.