Patrol Officer — Police

The City of Kettering is accepting submissions for Full-Time Lateral Patrol Officer

Salary & Benefits

2026 Minimum Annual: $81,598

2026 Maximum with Bachelor Degree: $110,198

• Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision Plans
• Accrued Vacation, Sick and Compensatory Time (Refillable 240 Hours Comp Max)
• 11 Paid Holidays & 40 Hours Paid Personal Leave per year
• 10-Hour Patrol Shifts
• Paid Ohio equivalency training (if necessary) and Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Overtime per Court Appearance (4 Hours Paid Minimum)
• Ohio Police and Fire Pension Plan
• Ohio Deferred Compensation Plans
• Employee Wellness Program w/ Access to City of Kettering Recreation Facilities
• All Equipment and Uniforms Provided Upon Hire
• Annual Paid Uniform Allowance and Shift Differential
• Relaxed Beard and Tattoo Policy

Professional Development

• Special Response Team (SWAT)
• Criminal Investigations (Detective) Unit
• Vice, Narcotics & Organized Crime Unit
• K-9 Unit
• Bike Patrol and Motorcycle Unit
• Accident Investigation/Reconstruction Team (AIT)
• Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team (HNT)
• Evidence Technician Unit
• Field Training Officer Unit
• School Resource/Community Relations Unit (SRO)
• Personnel and Training Officer
• Public Information Officer
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
• Drone Program

Selection Process

The Patrol Officer hiring process consists of the following:

• Submit Online Application
• Oral Board Interview
• Polygraph and Background Investigation
• Executive Staff (Chief’s) Interview
• Conditional Offer of Employment
• Post-Conditional Polygraph, Psychological Evaluation, Physical/Drug/Alcohol Screen (to include Marijuana)
• Final Offer of Employment

Minimum Qualifications

At time of appointment candidates must have:

• A high school diploma or its equivalent; and successfully completed at least two years of continuous service as a full-time commissioned police officer and possess a current Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (O.P.O.T.C.) peace officer certificate or equivalent peace officer certification in candidate’s current state of residency within the past 3 years, at time of appointment); or
• Obtained credit hours equivalent to an Associate Degree (60 semester hours/90 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university ANDmust have successfully completed at least one year of continuous service as a full-time commissioned police officer and possess a current Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (O.P.O.T.C.) peace officer certificate or equivalent peace officer certification in candidate’s current state of residency within the past 3 years, at time of appointment);
  
  or
• Two years of active military service or equivalent years of service in the Reserves or National Guard (active duty or reserves) with a satisfactory service record or honorable discharge AND must have successfully completed at least one year of continuous service as a full-time commissioned police officer and possess a current Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (O.P.O.T.C.) peace officer certificate or equivalent peace officer certification in candidate’s current state of residency within the past 3 years, at time of appointment).

Physical Condition: Must be physically capable of performing essential police duties and pass a thorough medical examination, where applicable, candidate must meet Academy minimum physical fitness entrance standards as required by Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (O.P.O.T.C.); and a drug/alcohol screen.

Ohio Operator’s License – Appointee must possess, obtain and maintain a valid State of Ohio Operator’s License.

U.S. Citizen -Must be 21 years of age and eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment.

* Certain criminal convictions, poor choices, or other behaviors may disqualify you from consideration for employment as a Patrol Officer.

* Tattoos on the ears,…