Top Notch Benefits

Officers enjoy 100% paid Health insurance, generous leave time, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement & more. Our 100% paid retirement program is the most robust option through MO LAGERS. Check out all of our benefits here.

Community Support

SPD has a strong relationship with the community, built on a foundation of transparency and mutual respect. We are committed to providing quality service to our community through personal integrity, fairness, open communication and a helpful attitude. 

Training

SPD values and prioritizes training and offers one of the best programs in the state. This includes the Academy for new Officers and on-going training for career development and growth across the department.

Diverse Assignments

We offer a diverse array of special assignment and promotional opportunities including Investigations, Crime Analysis, Community Policing, University assignments, Training and more.

• Must possess high school diploma or GED; 
• Possess 60 semester hours from accredited college of university; 

OR

• Class A MO POST certifications or currently enrolled in a Class A POST program with successful passing of POST exam within six months of application deadline; 

OR     

• Class B MO POST certification plus at least 2 years of full time law enforcement experience within the last 5 years; 

OR 

• Two years of active duty military service with an honorable discharge; 

OR 

• Possess 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university plus 3 years of experience as a Springfield Police Cadet to enter the Academy. 
• Law enforcement experience and/or education preferred, but not required.

 Additional requirements include the following:

• U.S. citizen;  
• 21 years of age at commission;
• Excellent physical condition;
• No felony convictions;
• No conviction for domestic assault;
• No DWI, DUI, or BAC conviction within the past three years;
• May not have been at fault in more than one traffic accident in the past twelve months;
• Meet vision and hearing standards;
• No objectionable tattoos and no head, face or neck tattoos visible while on duty, or when representing the SPD in an official capacity, unless approved by the Chief of Police.

See Police Recruit Job Description for more information.

See information on Police Lateral qualifications.

The selection process includes the following elements:

• Written exam
• Physical agility test
• Interview
• Background investigation
• Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must then complete post-offer testing including a polygraph examination, pre-employment drug testing, a medical examination and a psychological evaluation. 

Written Exam

If you want to purchase resources to help you prepare for the written exam, you can purchase the Practice Test for $15 and the Study Guide for $5 here. 

If you have any questions regarding the testing and selection process for Police Officer, please contact the Recruiting Officer at 417-864-1796 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Interview

Review our interview advice here.

Physical Agility Test

Candidates will perform a series of linked exercises that simulate necessary job functions of the Police Officer position and shall include but not be limited to the following:

• 100 meter sprint   
• pushing a vehicle 15 feet  
• vertical jump   
• 6-foot wall climb   
• 3-foot wall climb  
• window climb
• dummy drag
• subject resistance    
• stair climb    
• trigger pull

The above series of job simulated exercises will take place on a continuous 1/2-mile course where the candidate will run or continuously move throughout the course. Candidates must successfully engage all tasks associated with each exercise on the course. The 1/2-mile course must be completed in a maximum time of 7:05.

Preparing for Testing

This test shall be considered physically demanding and it is vitally important for applicants to properly prepare for the test.  

1. Prepare both physically and mentally for the test. 
2. Come recovered, with at least 24-48 hours from any other physical activity prior to this testing. 
3. Hydrate properly, at least 24 hours prior to participating in this testing. 
4. Consume a light meal 1-2 hours prior to the physical agility testing, so you have adequate energy levels to help facilitate a better performance.
5. Proper rest prior to testing is also recommended (7-8 hours of sleep).

View Police Officer benefits.

Police Recruits start at step 1 on the pay scale, and automatically move to step 2 after graduation from the academy.

Lateral Officer pay information can be found here.

We welcome candidates from near and far and strive to make the testing and relocation process easier. If you are considering relocating, click here to learn about our wonderful community.

Testing

To help with costs incurred from traveling to participate in entry testing, travel vouchers are provided.

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.

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.