Become a Police Officer

Selection Process

All applicants are required to successfully complete each phase of the selection process.  The entire process takes approximately two months.

Each candidate will be advised of their status and application test dates as they move through the various steps.

Steps for Selection

Minimum Qualifications

  • Community and Service Minded
  • Exceptional Moral character
  • Must have the ability to read, write, and speak the English language
  • Never been convicted of an indictable offense or crime of moral turpitude; deferred judgments must have a minimum of ten years elapsed from case resolution, simple misdemeanor convictions other than traffic offenses must have a minimum of five years from case resolution
  • Not addicted to drugs or alcohol
  • Have 20/100 eyesight which is correctable to 20/20 and color and field of vision are normal
  • Normal hearing in each ear
  • Must not object to the use of force in the line of duty
  • Must possess a high school diploma or GED; a minimum of 30 undergraduate credit hours from an accredited post-secondary education institution is preferred
  • Must hold a valid State of Iowa drivers license or commercial license upon hire
  • Establish residency in the State of Iowa upon hire, must live within 30 miles of the public safety building within one year.

Benefits

  • Competitive pay and Benefits
  • 10-hour work schedule with 4-day weekend every other week
  • Paid Time Off
  • Floating Holidays (2)
  • Paid Training
  • Education pay
  • On-Duty Physical Fitness time and Fitness Incentives
  • Shift Differential pay
  • Annual Uniform Allowance
  • IPERS retirement plan
  • Career advancement
  • Low Cost Dental, life and health insurance (Health Insurance = $65 / mo family and $26 / mo single)
  • Fully funded short term disabiilty insurance
  • Deferred Compensation Plan after 3-years
  • Longevity Pay after 5-years

Salary

Police Officer salary range: $61,922.45 - $80,720.98 (FY22-23)