The Western Maryland Police Academy is an entrance level police academy for police officer candidates. The Academy is hosted by the Hagerstown Department of Police and conducted in the Department's training facilities.

The first Academy class began July 8, 1977 with twenty-six students from police agencies across the State of Maryland. Since that time there have been over thirty classes graduating in excess of 500 police officers, certified in the State of Maryland.

Entrance level police officer candidates must pass a rigorous course of instruction mandated by the Maryland Police Correctional Training Commission. All academies, instructors and course outlines must be approved by the Commission. The Commission requires academies to be conducted at least every twelve months. Instructors must be certified by the Commission. This requires forty hours of specialized training. The Commission conducts periodic audits to assure these high standards are being met.

Police officer candidates must master the 501 prepared objectives covered during the twenty-one week academy program. Training includes areas such as criminal law, traffic law, patrol procedures, self-defense, use of firearms, arrest and control tactics, first aid, physical training, communication skills and related civil enforcement subjects. Upon successful completion of the Academy, the graduate will be certified by the State of Maryland. This certification is required to become an active police officer in the State of Maryland.