Police Officer

Overview

NOW HIRING POLICE OFFICERS

$27.13 - $37.98

NOTE
- Police Officers certified by KS-CPOST are exempt from written testing.

The Ottawa Police Department is seeking highly motivated applicants for the position of Police Officer who are committed to a long career with our department. The men and women of the Department are guided by the following values:
To Protect and Serve with Duty, Honor, Integrity, Trust.

With an authorized strength of 30 officers serving a growing population of nearly 13,000 there is room for advancement. Positions include Detective, Drug Detective, DARE Instructor, School Resource Officer (SRO), Master Police Officer, STAR Team (Special Tactics and Rescue), K9 Handler and Community Police Officer. All specialty positions include a take-home vehicle.

The pay range for Master Police Officer is $29.03 to $40.64. Officers are eligible to achieve the rank of Master Police Officer based on a combination of skill points and years of service in about 3 years. The Department uses modern technology and police practices and operates a comprehensive training program, including a weapons range with rifle range, night shooting, moving targets, a 25-foot platform tower and steel range.

Each officer qualifies with the standard issue Glock 17 Gen. 5 handgun, AR-15 rifle (in each car), 37MM Less-Lethal munitions, Taser, Bola Wrap, and handgun optics issued beginning in 2026.

The department uses mobile LPR and fixed LPR cameras and several technology programs to detect and identify criminal activity. The fleet includes patrol vehicles, an armored rescue vehicle, a special response vehicle, UTV, uAUS, and police bicycles for special events. The Department has a fitness room in the Law Enforcement Center with weight and cardio equipment. Patrol schedule includes 12-hour shifts and two weekends off each month (4-day and 3-day).

Officers are issued all equipment, including boots. Beards, goatees, mustaches, and tattoos are allowed.

Professional Development Program
:
Certified officers with road patrol experience may receive service credit for years completed. The program allows officers to advance through training and certifications plus tenure, with potential to reach Master Police Officer in about three years.

Lateral Transfer
:
Lateral transfers may be exempt from physical agility testing if the employing agency has a similar standard; discretion is up to the Police Chief.

Minimum Qualifications: Employees must be a Kansas resident upon hire, 21 years of age at time of appointment and a U.S. citizen, possess a valid Kansas driver’s license upon appointment, and be insurable by the city’s insurance carrier; high school diploma or GED is required, college credit preferred. Applicants must establish and maintain residency within Franklin County or within a driving distance of 35 miles of the Ottawa City Hall, AND within the state of Kansas within one year of hire.

Applicants must successfully complete the following: written entrance exam, physical agility testing, and oral panel interview. Candidates recommended for hire will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen, polygraph, psychological, and physical exams. Candidates must meet licensing requirements set by KSCPOST and the Kansas Training Act.

Automatic Disqualifiers:

• Convicted of, or admission to, a felony or any offense that would be constituted as a felony within the State of Kansas or the United States.
• Convicted of, or admission to, or diversion of a Class “A” or “B” misdemeanor or similar crime from another state within the past three (3) years or been convicted of any crime of a sexual nature.
• Has been dishonorably discharged from any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
• Has had state certification as a Law Enforcement Officer denied, revoked, or suspended.
• Falsified or lied about any information requested in a questionnaire or application as part of the hiring process.
• Exhibited any conduct or a pattern of conduct that would tend to disrupt, diminish, or otherwise jeopardize public trust in the law enforcement profession.
• Have used marijuana or synthetic drugs within the past one (1) year.
• Have used prescription…