Police Officer; Recruits and Laterals - Testing Date

Position: Police Officer (New Recruits and Laterals) - 03/20/2026 Testing Date

Springfield Police Department is hiring passionate new officers for a positive impact in Southwest Missouri. Our academy is among the best in the state and we offer an excellent benefits package.

Contact

If you are interested in testing dates on April 17, May 15, or June 12 for the September 2026 academy, contact ksieloff or call .

Responsibilities

As a Springfield Police Recruit, you will receive quality training through our 6‑month paid Police Academy. After graduating the academy, you will serve in patrol, respond to emergency and non‑emergency calls, promote public safety, and engage in community‑oriented policing, traffic enforcement, and special detail. Our department offers specialized assignments and promotional opportunities.

• Understand and enforce the law to provide quality service and reduce crime in Springfield.
• Use modern policing methods to solve community problems with fairness and humility.
• Hold yourself and others accountable with sound moral principles to earn public trust.
• Effectively communicate with citizens through active listening, compassion, and empathy.

Lateral Hires

As a lateral hire you will complete a shortened 1‑month academy to learn Springfield policies and procedures. here.

Selection Process

Applicants must successfully complete the following steps before being hired as a Springfield Police Recruit and attending the academy. here.

• Written Exam
• Physical Agility Test
• Interview
• Background Investigation
• Drug Screen*
• Polygraph*
• Psychological Evaluation*
• Medical Examination*

* Examinations are completed after a conditional job offer is accepted.

Testing and Relocation Assistance

We offer testing and relocation assistance for both recruits and lateral officers. Travel vouchers and hotel accommodations are provided for on‑site testing.

• Distance traveled 50‑150 miles: $50 travel voucher and one overnight hotel.
• Distance traveled 150 miles or more: $125 travel voucher, one overnight hotel, and $125 per visit for 150+ miles.

Experience, Education, and Training

• Must be a high school graduate or have a GED.
• AND one of the following:
  • 30 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university.
  • Class A POST certified peace officer or enrolled in a Class A POST program with successful POST exam within six months of Final date to receive applications.
  • Two years of active duty military service with honorable discharge.
  • Four years of honorable military service in National Guard or armed forces reserves.
  • Three years full‑time business ownership or management within last five years.
  • Three years full‑time employment as a correctional or detention officer within last five years.
  • Three years full‑time employment as a licensed professional security or private security contractor within last five years.
  • Three years full‑time employment in professional trade industry within last five years.
  • Three years full‑time paraprofessional experience in social services, health care, or education within last five years.
  • Two years experience as a Police Service Representative.
  • Two years experience as a Traffic Services Officer.
  • Two years experience as a 911 dispatcher or telecommunicator.
• PREFERRED:
  Law enforcement experience and/or education preferred.

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; no DWI conviction in past three years
• No two moving violations from separate incidents within past twelve months, or more than one traffic crash/accident during past twelve months
• Meet vision and hearing standards
• No objectionable tattoos and no head, face or neck tattoos.

Police Officer (Lateral) Requirements

• MO POST Class A license (or equivalent law enforcement certification with reciprocity in progress).
• Minimum two (2) years full‑time sworn police experience in any state within last five years, including primary duties of responding to calls, investigations, traffic incidents, and arrests.

Testing & Selection Procedure Steps

Submit application (email or fax to ksieloff with unofficial copies of required documents).

Receive email with instructions to schedule written exam.

Schedule written exam, March 20, 2026.

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