Police Recruit

City of Dayton • Dayton, OH

5d

About The Position

Police Recruits are assigned to the Dayton Police Academy to complete classroom instruction and physical skills development in firearms proficiency, defensive tactics, physical fitness, driving, and other skills required by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, in preparation for appointment as a Police Officer. The Fall 2027 academy class is accepting applications. The selection process is administered through the Civil Service Office and includes an application, an entry-level assessment, background investigation with polygraph, physical fitness assessment, psychological examination, and medical examination with drug and nicotine screening. Final appointment is contingent on meeting the stated requirements and successfully completing the selection process.

Requirements

• High school graduate or holder of a GED.
• Must be at least 20 years old to take the entry-level assessment and at least 21 years old by the day of completion of the Dayton Police Academy; must not have reached age 69 by the date of appointment as Police Officer.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license at appointment and maintain it as a condition of continued employment.
• Must be eligible for employment in the United States; final appointment requires documentary evidence of employment authorization and identity.
• Must be of good moral character and pass an extensive background investigation, including a polygraph test.
• Persons convicted of a felony are ineligible for sworn Police Department positions, including when the conviction has been sealed or expunged.
• Must meet the stated restrictions concerning misdemeanor domestic violence convictions and eligibility to possess or receive firearms or attend Ohio peace officer training.
• Applicants who illegally possessed, knowingly used, sold, or distributed a controlled substance, or abused, sold, or distributed a dangerous drug under Ohio law within three years or less before the entry-level assessment may be disqualified.
• Visible tattoos deemed offensive, profane, or objectionable must be covered while performing police-related duties; neck and back-of-head tattoos must not be visible from the front and must be coverable. Facial tattoos are prohibited for sworn officers.
• Body piercings must not be visible to the public; gauge earrings are not permitted.
• Must successfully pass the entry-level assessment and all required stages of the selection process.
• Must pass the physical fitness assessment, including sit-ups, full-body push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run at or above the 15th percentile standard for the candidate’s age and gender.
• Must pass the standardized psychological examination.
• Must pass a job-related medical examination, including cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness testing, and drug screening.
• Uncorrected vision must be at least 20/100 in each eye; corrected vision must be at least 20/40 in each eye or better. Must not be color-blind.
• Newly hired employees must pass nicotine screening and remain tobacco- and nicotine-free as a condition of continued employment; this policy does not apply to current City employees.
• Applicants must bring pictured identification to each assessment and all selection-process phases.
• At the initial background interview, candidates must provide required records and documents, including applicable education records, Selective Service registration card, military DD214 if applicable, proof of auto insurance, valid driver’s license, and three reference letters (one personal and two professional). Reference providers must have known the applicant for more than two years, and letters must include the author’s name, address, phone number, and how long the author has known the applicant.

Nice To Haves

• Honorably discharged U.S. military service may qualify a passing candidate for up to five preference points, with required documentation submitted at the entry-level assessment.
• For City of Dayton open competitive candidates, six months of full-time City employment documented by performance evaluations may qualify for up to five preference points if the candidate does not qualify for promotional status.
• Promotional applicants must be permanent full-time or part-time City of Dayton employees in the specified pay grades and have six consecutive months of employment in a classified Civil Service position.

Responsibilities

• Complete the Dayton Police Academy classroom curriculum and required physical skills development in preparation for appointment as a Police Officer.
• Demonstrate proficiency in firearms, defensive tactics, physical fitness, driving, and other skills required by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.
• Successfully complete the required assessments and screening steps in the selection process.

What This Job Offers

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