Waterloo Police Department - Police Officer Lateral

Police Officer – Lateral / Recruit

Applicant Instructions:

• Review the police officer lateral/recruit descriptions and upload your resume (mandatory) and cover letter (optional).
• Submit your resume at  by clicking on Career Opportunities.
• We do not accept mailed, faxed, hand‑delivered, or emailed resumes to any other email addresses.
• Do not submit a resume to the Waterloo Police Department – it will not be processed.
• We WILL NOT process the resume/application of any candidate who failed any portion of a background investigation within three years from the date of rejection.

• Starting Pay: $34.24/hr – $39.93/hr (to increase 07/01/2025).
• All Certified Police Officers receive credit for up to five years of service as a certified police/peace officer; placement within the salary steps/schedule commensurate with approved years of service.
• Certified Iowa Peace Officers receive a $5,000 bonus in two payments of $2,500.
• Contract payoff:
  Water Police will pay off pending law‑enforcement contracts up to $8,000.
• Vacation credit: 40 hours after FTO; 112 hours after one year for officers with ≤2 years experience.
• Vacation credit: 80 hours after FTO; 160 hours after one year for officers with >2 years experience.
• Sick leave credit: 80 hours upon hire.
• Current Iowa certification exempt from physical fitness test and written exams if employed in Iowa for ≤6 months.
• All applicants must participate in the oral interview portion of testing.
• Eligible for discounted college tuition via membership to the Fraternal Order of Police.

• Starting Pay: $34.24/hr – $39.93/hr ($71,219.20/yr, to increase 07/01/2025).
• Upon completion of the abbreviated Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and graduation, eligible for $4,000 one‑time bonus.
• Eligible for discounted college tuition via membership to the Fraternal Order of Police.

• Recipients of bonus payments must reimburse the Water Police Department if voluntarily resigning within four years of hire, with a pro‑rated schedule (100% if