Author: Cpl. Lyle German, MDSP
The Maryland State Police proudly announce the successful completion and graduation of the inaugural Maryland State Police Dive School (November 10, 2025 – November 21, 2025), marking a historic milestone for the Department’s Underwater Recovery Team (URT).
The Underwater Recovery Team, established in 1962, is a decentralized, specialized unit serving the entire State of Maryland including its vast network of waterways spanning more than 13,000 miles of coastline. This year, the Department launched its first-ever dedicated MSP led dive school to ensure a standardized, comprehensive, and modernized training program to prepare future URT members for the demanding mission of underwater search and recovery.
Ten applicants from across the Department sought admission to this inaugural course. After weeks of physically demanding and technically advanced training, six applicants successfully completed all program requirements and earned their place on one of the Maryland State Police’s most elite operational teams.
Throughout the program, candidates completed a rigorous and multifaceted training regimen designed to prepare them for complex underwater operations. Instruction included:
- Advanced physical conditioning and endurance development.
- Long-distance swimming and water survival skills.
- Continuing education in the use of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA). Leadership training and team-based decision-making.
- Dive planning fundamentals and the design and execution of underwater search patterns.
- Comprehensive review of departmental policies governing the underwater recovery mission by sworn members.
“These graduates have demonstrated exceptional discipline, mental resilience, and a deep commitment to public safety. The demands of underwater recovery work are significant, and these new divers have earned the right to join a proud tradition of service that has supported Maryland communities for more than six decades”, said Sgt. Michael Dawson, URT Assistant Commander and Lead Dive Instructor.
The Maryland State Police congratulate the graduates of the first MSP Dive School and look forward to their continued service as members of the Underwater Recovery Team.
