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Job description
Salary : $57,574.40 - $96,844.80 Annually
Location : Springfield, MO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Police
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 1/15/ :59 PM Central
Description
This job posting is for our January 22nd testing date and may qualify you for the 83rd Springfield Police Academy, which begins June 7th, 2027.
If you require additional information or have questions, please contact Mark Barnum at or call .
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 Springfield
Use modern policing methods to solve problems in our community while treating people fairly and with a helpful attitude
Hold yourself and others around you accountable using sound moral principles that earn the public trust, respect, and confidence of the community
Effectively communicate with citizens through active listening, compassion, and empathy
As 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 here
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 here. Written Exam
Physical Agility Test
Interview
Background Investigation
Drug Screen*
Polygraph*
Psychological Evaluation*
Medical Examination*
*These examinations are completed after a conditional job offer is accepted.
We offer Testing and Relocation Assistance!
Testing
To help with costs incurred from traveling to participate in entry testing, travel vouchers are provided.
Distance Traveled Travel Assistance Provided 50-150 miles$50 travel voucher150 miles or more$125 travel voucher
and 1 overnight hotel accommodation
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. Distance traveled Travel Assistance Provided 150 miles or more$125 travel voucher per visit
and 1 overnight hotel accommodation50-150 miles$50 travel voucher per visit
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.Distance Traveled Reimbursement Amount 50-150 milesUp to $1, milesUp to $3, miles or moreUp to $5,000
This application must be submitted to determine your eligibility to take the written exam. If you've read through this information and you're not ready to apply, consider getting more information by talking to a recruiter
To learn more about the Springfield Police Department follow us Instagram and Facebook .
Qualifications and Requirements
Experience, Education, and Training
Police Recruit Must be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D
AND 21 years of age at or before being commissioned.
PREFERRED A degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience or education in law enforcement.
Class A P.O.S.T. certified peace officer or currently enrolled in a Class A P.O.S.T. program.
Military service with an honorable discharge or honorable military service in national guard or armed forces reserves.
Three (3) years of full-time employment.
Additional Requirements U.S. Citizen
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.
Functions
For more information on essential functions and other requirements for Police Recruit, please see the
For more information on essential functions and other requirements for Police Officer, please see the
Other Requirements
Testing & Selection Procedure Steps Submit application.
Receive email notification with instructions to schedule for written exam.
Schedule for written exam.
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
Attend 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.
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, , 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.
Find out more about City of Springfield employee benefits through the following link:
01
The following questions are specific to the position you are applying for, and must be completed accurately. The information you provide below must be reflected in the experience, education, or volunteer work provided in your application above. A response of 'see resume' will not be accepted. I understand.
02
Do you have a High School Diploma or GED? Yes
No
03
Do you have at least 30 college credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university? Yes
No
04
How many years of active duty, national guard or armed forces reserves military experience do you possess? Please attach DD Form 214 below to validate military history. I do not have any military experience
1 year
2 years
3 years
4 years or more
05
Do you possess a Missouri POST Class A certification? Yes
No
I am currently enrolled in a Law Enforcement Academy and will obtain a Missouri Post Class A certification within six months of submitting this application.
06
Do you possess 3 years of expereince within the last 5 years in one of the following: I do not have any
Ownership and management of a business
Correctional or detention officer
Professional security or private security contractor
Professional trade industry
Paraprofessional work
07
Do you possess a valid driver's license? Yes
No
08
Do you have at least 2 years of full-time, sworn police experience within the last five years, with primary duties including: responding to calls for service, conducting preliminary and/or follow-up investigations of crimes, responding to traffic accidents, and apprehending, detaining and arresting suspects? Yes
No
09
Have you previously applied for the Police Recruit or Police Officer position with the Springfield Police Department? Yes
No
10
Have you participated in Springfield Police Officer testing in the past (written, physical agility, or interview)? Yes
No
11
Are you a U.S. Citizen? Yes
No
12
Have you ever been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony offense? Yes
No
13
If yes, please provide detailed information regarding the crime(s), including offense and date convicted.
14
Have you ever been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a domestic violence offense? Yes
No
15
If yes, please provide detailed information regarding the crime(s), including offense and date convicted.
16
Have you received a DWI, DUI, or BAC conviction within the past 3 years? Yes
No
17
How many DWI, DUI, or BAC convictions have you received in your life? 0
1
2
3 or more
18
Have you been at fault in more than one (1) traffic crash within the past 12 months? Yes
No
19
If you have ever been a Police Officer, do you have a Giglio or Brady file, or have you been questioned about your ability as a witness? Yes
No
I have never been a Police Officer
20
Do you have any face, head or neck tattoos? Yes
No
I do not have any face, head or neck tattoos
21
If you have any tattoos, please use the space below to describe each tattoo in detail, as well as where the tattoo is located. If you do not have any tattoos, please type 'N/A'.
22
For the purpose of responding to the following questions, "illegal drugs" includes the unauthorized or illegal use of prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs; it also includes the illegal use of any other substance for the purpose of getting "high."
Your responses should include - but not be limited to - your use of any of the following: Amphetamines/Methamphetamines (uppers, speed, crank, etc)
Barbiturates (Downers)
Cocaine/Crack Cocaine
Designer Drugs (Ecstasy, Synthetic Heroin, etc)
GHB (Date Rape Drug)
Hallucinogens (Peyote, LSD, Mushrooms)
Hashish/Hashish Oil
Heroin/Opium
Marijuana (disclose use with or without a prescription)
Mescaline
Morphine
PCP/Angel Dust
Quaaludes
Steroids
Tetrahydrocannabinal (THC)
Glue, paint, or any substance containing toluene
At any point within your lifetime, have you used any drug(s) as indicated above? Yes
No
23
If you answered 'YES' to the above question, give details including drug(s) used, most recent date used, and circumstances. If you answered 'NO', please enter 'N/A'.
24
In order to be invited to Police Officer testing, you may need to submit documentation showing you meet the minimum qualifications for the position, such as DD214, Class A POST certificate, etc. Please see the job posting for the minimum qualifications. This must be sent in with your application or shortly following the submission of your application to the email address below. Any documents you will submit with your background questionnaire are separate from the documents needed here with your application. Please email your documents to .
Please choose an option below that best reflects how you will show you meet the minimum qualifications. I have attached all documents required that show I meet the minimum qualifications to my application.
I will email my documents shortly after submitting my application.
I must order my documents but will get them in as soon as possible.
25
Are you applying for our regular or lateral academy? Regular Academy
Lateral Academy (I have been a Police Officer for at least 2 years in the past 5 years)
26
Were you referred by a current City employee to apply for this position? Yes
No
27
If yes, please state the full name of the City employee who referred you to this position.
Required Question
Worksite address
springfield, MO, 65897, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.