COLONEL JOSEPH F. SCOTT NAMED CHIEF
OF THE MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY POLICE
Agency Veteran Takes Command of Nationally Accredited Force
BALTIMORE, Md. (May 16, 2024) – The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has named Colonel Joseph F. Scott, a law enforcement veteran with 24 years of experience, as its new Chief of Police. “I’m so humbled and honored to serve in this role, and it’s not lost on me that I am the first African American MDTA Police Chief,” said Colonel Scott. “This agency is one of diverse voices and perspectives, and it’s been a privilege to have risen through the ranks to this position of leadership.”
Colonel Scott began his career as an MDTA Police Officer in 2000 after serving four years in the United States Army. He progressed through the ranks and held a variety of supervisory and command positions. In addition to his experience serving as bureau chief of both the MDTA Police’s Administrative and Operations bureaus, Colonel Scott previously served as commander of the Hatem Memorial Bridge (US 40) Detachment, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Unit, the Port of Baltimore Detachment and the BWI Marshall Airport Detachment.
“Colonel Scott has proven himself as a law enforcement leader,” said MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner. “I’m especially impressed by his commitment to developing relationships between the MDTA Police and our internal and external communities and look forward to helping him expand upon those efforts.”
Throughout his career, Colonel Scott has served as a general instructor, as a drill instructor training new police recruits, and as a member of the MDTA Police Honor Guard. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations program, and the Southern Police Institute Chief Executives Leadership Course.
Colonel Scott is an advocate for MDTA Police community engagement and plans to champion these efforts as he leads a team of more than 500 sworn and civilian law enforcement professionals. Colonel Scott serves as Assistant Pastor in his congregation and resides in Harford County with his family.
The Maryland Transportation Authority Police, a nationally accredited force, is the eighth-largest law enforcement agency in the State with more than 500 sworn and civilian law enforcement professionals. MDTA Police Officers provide law enforcement services at the MDTA’s highways, bridges, and tunnels, at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, and at the Port of Baltimore.
