• 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
• Interview
• Physical agility test
• 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.