Police Officer (New Recruits and Laterals) - 2/26/2027 Testing Date

City of Springfield • Springfield, MO

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Springfield Police Department is hiring new recruits and lateral officers to serve the Southwest Missouri area. New recruits receive six months of paid Police Academy training to prepare for work as a Police Officer. After graduating, officers begin in patrol, responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service and promoting public and officer safety. Officers also engage in community-oriented policing, enforce traffic laws, and may serve on special details. The department offers specialized assignments and promotional opportunities. Lateral hires attend a shortened one-month academy focused on Springfield-specific policies and procedures.

The February 26, 2027 testing date may qualify candidates for the 83rd Springfield Police Academy, scheduled to begin June 7, 2027. Applicants must complete the selection process, including written and physical agility tests, an interview, background investigation, drug screening, polygraph, psychological evaluation, and medical examination. Some post-offer examinations are conducted after a conditional offer. Travel assistance for testing and relocation reimbursement are available according to distance traveled.

Requirements

• Police Recruit: High school graduate or GED holder and at least 21 years old at or before commissioning.
• U.S. citizen.
• Excellent physical condition.
• No felony convictions.
• No conviction for domestic assault.
• No more than one DWI conviction, and no DWI conviction within the past three years.
• No two moving violations from separate incidents within the past twelve months, and no more than one at-fault traffic crash or accident during the past twelve months.
• Meet vision and hearing standards.
• No objectionable tattoos and no tattoos on the head, face, or neck.
• Lateral candidates must meet the general requirements and possess a Missouri POST Class A license, or law enforcement certification from another state while seeking Missouri POST reciprocity.
• Lateral candidates must have at least two years of full-time sworn police experience in any state within the last five years. Experience must include responding to calls for service, conducting preliminary and/or follow-up crime investigations, responding to traffic accidents, and apprehending, detaining, and arresting suspects.
• Complete the required selection steps, including written exam, physical agility test, interview, background investigation, drug screening, polygraph, psychological evaluation, and medical examination.
• Submit a complete City of Springfield online application with accurate and complete employment history; a résumé alone is not accepted as the application.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or authorization to work in the United States.
• Complete pre-employment drug testing.

Nice To Haves

• Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience or education in law enforcement.
• Class A P.O.S.T. certified peace officer or current enrollment in a Class A P.O.S.T. program.
• Honorable military service or honorable discharge from military service, including National Guard or Armed Forces Reserve service.
• Three years of full-time employment.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Promote the safety of the public and fellow police officers.
• Engage in community-oriented policing.
• Enforce traffic laws.
• Perform special details as needed.
• Understand and enforce the law to provide quality service and help reduce crime in Springfield.
• Use modern policing methods to solve community problems while treating people fairly and helpfully.
• Hold oneself and others accountable using sound moral principles.
• Communicate effectively with citizens through active listening, compassion, and empathy.

Benefits

• Paid Police Academy training.
• Travel vouchers and overnight hotel accommodation for eligible testing travel.
• Relocation reimbursement for eligible candidates, up to $5,000 depending on distance traveled.
• Specialized assignment and promotional opportunities.
• Excellent benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED