State Police budget grows to $615.3M amid questions about vacancies, diversity work and licensing backlogs

Madeline Miller of the Department of Legislative Services presented the Department of State Police (DSP) FY25 operating analysis, reporting a proposed increase of about $40.4 million to a total $615.3 million, driven primarily by negotiated salary enhancements and the addition of 34 positions (including emergency dispatch and civilian licensing support).

DLS highlighted data and issues for committee oversight: the Crime Index and traffic fatality trends, rising workloads in the licensing division (handgun qualification license applications rose sharply in recent years), the nascent Gun Center (which needs a database and staffing to track reported firearm‑crime cases consistently), and concerns about the solvency of the MEMSOF fund that supports medical flights (DLS and DBM project MEMSOF insolvency in FY26 absent action).

Senators pressed Colonel Rolandell Butler (DSP superintendent) on UCR/NIBRS reporting compliance among local agencies and asked whether the department can provide training to improve local reporting timeliness; Butler said central records conducts site audits and education and that the department will consider additional outreach. Lawmakers also urged DSP to keep the committee informed as it moves to a second‑phase workforce assessment; the department said an RFP for a follow‑up vendor closes in April 2025.

On the licensing backlog, DLS requested continued quarterly reports on application receipt and processing days; DSP concurred with the reporting requests. Senators also asked about forensic/crime lab capacity; Colonel Butler said new regional labs (Western Maryland and a Berlin lab coming online) are expected to alleviate pressure and help recruitment.

Next steps: DSP will continue to provide quarterly licensing metrics, brief the committee on the second‑phase workforce assessment procurement, and supply follow‑up information on Gun Center vacancy impact and database development.