Police Officer

Police Officer RecruitmentThis job posting is for our August 15th testing date and will qualify for the February 2026 academy. If you are interested in applying for a testing date on September 12, 2025, October 10, 2025, or November 7, 2025 for the February 2026 academy, contact Karissa Sieloff at ksieloff@springfieldmo.gov or call 417-864-1595.The Springfield Police Department is seeking to hire passionate new officers to make a positive impact in the Southwest Missouri area. Our department has one of the best training programs in the area, along with an abundance of diverse specialized units to experience, and an excellent benefits package. We are looking for people who are dedicated and motivated to serve. Individuals who believe in constitutional, community-engaged policing and who are committed to protecting the rights of all people.As a Springfield Police Recruit, you'll have received quality training through the Academy to prepare you for the position of Police Officer. After graduating the Academy, you will start off in patrol, responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service and promoting the safety of the public and of fellow police officers. You will be a proactive member of our Department, engaging in community-oriented policing, traffic enforcement, and on occasion, special detail. SPD is one of the best agencies in Missouri for specialized assignments and promotional opportunities. Through our 6-month paid Police Academy, as a Police Recruit you will develop skills to:Understand and enforce the law in order to provide quality service and assist in our mission to reduce crime within the City of SpringfieldUse modern policing methods to solve problems in our community while treating people fairly and with a helpful attitudeHold yourself and others around you accountable using sound moral principles that earn the public trust, respect, and confidence of the communityEffectively communicate with citizens through active listening, compassion, and empathyAs a Lateral hire, you will have a shortened 1-month academy to learn about Springfield's specific policies and procedures. Read more about our Lateral Program.Selection Process Applicants must successfully complete the following steps in the hiring process before being hired as a Springfield Police Recruit and go through our Police Academy. To learn about the hiring process.Written ExamPhysical Agility TestInterviewBackground InvestigationDrug Screen*Polygraph*Psychological Evaluation*Medical Examination**These examinations are completed after a conditional job offer is accepted.We offer Testing and Relocation Assistance To help with costs incurred from traveling to participate in entry testing, travel vouchers are provided.Follow-up Testing and Post Offer During the post-offer phase of the Officer selection process, on-site testing is required such as a polygraph and psychological examination. Testing is coordinated and accommodations are made so that the least amount of travel is required of our candidates. Additional assistance is available to help with costs incurred for both Police Recruits and Lateral Officer candidates.Relocation We love welcoming new Officers to our wonderful community. To make things easier, we offer relocation reimbursement. This benefit is offered to both new Recruits and Lateral Officer candidates.To learn more about the Springfield Police Department follow us on Instagram and Facebook.Experience, Education, and Training Police Recruit Must be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D. AND ONE of the following:30 semester credit hours from an accredited college or universityClass A POST certified peace officer or currently enrolled in a Class A POST program with successful passing of POST exam within six months of application deadlineTwo (2) years of active duty military service with an honorable dischargeFour (4) years of honorable military service in national guard or armed forces reservesThree (3) years of full-time successful ownership and management of a business within the last five (5) yearsThree (3) years of full-time employment as a correctional or detention officer within the last five (5) yearsThree (3) years of full-time employment as a licensed professional security or private security contractor within the last five (5) yearsThree (3) years of full-time employment working in the professional trade industry within the last five (5) yearsThree (3) years of full-time employment in the last five (5) years providing paraprofessional work experience to the public or community in one of the following fields: social services, health care services, and/or educationTwo (2) years of experience as a Police Service RepresentativeTwo (2) years of experience as a Traffic Services OfficerTwo (2) years of experience as a 911 dispatcher and/or telecommunicatorPREFERRED Law enforcement experience and/or education preferred, but not required.Additional Requirements U.S. Citizen, 21 years of age at commission, excellent physical condition, no felony convictions, no conviction for domestic assault, no more than one DWI conviction; and no DWI conviction in the past three years, may not have two (2) moving violations from separate incidents within the past twelve months, or have been at fault in more than one (1) traffic crash/accident during the past twelve (12) months, meet vision and hearing standards, no objectionable tattoos and no head, face or neck tattoos.Police Officer (Lateral) Requirements In addition to the requirements listed above, lateral candidates must possess the following: A MO POST Class A license (if candidate does not possess a MO POST Class A license, but possesses law enforcement certification through another state, he/she may participate in the testing process while seeking reciprocity through MO POST) AND A minimum of two (2) years full time sworn police experience in any state within the last five (5) years. Police experience must include the primary duties of responding to calls for service, conducting preliminary and/or follow-up investigations of crimes, responding to traffic accidents and apprehending, detaining and arresting suspects.For more information on essential functions and other requirements for Police Recruit, please see the job description. For more information on essential functions and other requirements for Police Officer, please see the job description.Testing & Selection Procedure Steps Submit application Be sure to attach, email, fax, or drop off documents showing you meet the minimum requirements. These can be unofficial copies. Receive email notification with instructions to schedule for written exam. Schedule for written exam, August 15, 2025. Bring photo ID with you on day of testing. Complete the written exam and physical agility test. Interviews will be scheduled immediately following the written exam for the following week. Go to scheduled interview. Background investigation will begin. Once the background investigation is completed, a conditional job offer can be made. The final steps after a conditional job offer is made include a drug test, medical exam, psychological evaluation, and polygraph before the job offer is confirmed.Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability and Vet The City of Springfield promotes equal employment opportunities to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Individuals with disabilities who believe they will need an accommodation to undergo any part of the interview, examination, or pre-employment process, should request a reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act prior to the testing or appointment. Requests should be requested by contacting City of Springfield Human Resources by phone, 417-864-1607, or in person at the Municipal Busch Building, 840 Boonville Ave. Springfield, MO 65802. Proof of United States Citizenship/Authorization to Work in the United States as established by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 is a condition of employment. We are committed to a drug-free workplace. Pre-employment drug testing is required. All interested candidates MUST complete the City of Springfield on-line application in its entirety. The candidate profile must include all employment history with accurate and complete information prior to submission. Resumes alone will not be accepted as the application, but they may be submitted as supplemental documentation.