MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County is reviewing its police recruitment policies, particularly regarding past cannabis use, to address significant staffing shortages, FOX 5 reported.
County Executive Marc Elrich reported a 7% decrease in overall crime for 2024, including a decline in homicides from 29 in 2023 to 19 in 2024, and reductions in shootings, property crimes and carjackings. Despite these steps, however, the county faces 166 vacant officer positions and anticipates a wave of retirements in 2025, according to the report.
To address these challenges, the county has implemented measures such as increased officer pay, $20,000 signing bonuses and external recruitment assistance. However, Elrich stated that the current policy requiring applicants to be cannabis-free for three years is a “significant impediment,” particularly given the state’s legalization of cannabis, according to the report. In contrast, Washington, D.C. requires three months of abstinence, and Virginia imposes no restrictions on past cannabis use.
Police Chief Marc Yamada noted that even if the department were fully staffed, the officer-to-resident ratio — currently one officer per 1,000 residents — would remain below the national average of 2.5 per 1,000, according to the report.
Elrich has formally requested Gov. Wes Moore and the state’s police training regulatory agency to revise statewide certification standards on cannabis use.
“[I] look forward to discussing with the Maryland Police Standards and Training Commission in January. Thus far, this group is opposed to making the changes that we need,” Elrich stated.
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