All candidates for the position of Police Officer wanting to attend the Lateral Program must meet the following minimum qualifications in order to apply: 

• Currently certified as a law enforcement officer. If not currently certified in the state of Missouri, with a Missouri P.O.S.T. Class A Peace Officer License, candidates may be allowed to complete written, physical and oral testing. However, Missouri Class A certification must be obtained before a background investigation will be conducted. (Contact Missouri P.O.S.T. at 573-751-4905 to find out how to get your Class A or visit the Missouri P.O.S.T. website). 
• Must have a minimum of two years full-time sworn police experience in any state, within the last five years. Primary duties must include responding to calls for service, conducting preliminary and/or follow-up investigations of crimes, responding to traffic accidents, and apprehending, detaining and arresting suspects.
• Be a U.S. citizen. 
• Be at least 21 years of age at commission. 
• Have no felony convictions. 
• May not have more than one DWI conviction; and no DWI conviction in past three years.
• May not have been at fault in more than one traffic accident during the past twelve (12) months.
• Meet vision and hearing standard.  
• No objectionable tattoos and no head, face or neck tattoos while on duty, or when representing the SPD in an official capacity, unless approved by the Chief of Police.

Applicants must pass every phase of the testing and selection process in order to be considered eligible for appointment to the Lateral Hire Program. If a candidate fails to meet the physical agility standards for the Lateral Hire program but all of his/her scores meet the Regular Academy standards, the candidate may opt to be considered for the Regular Police Academy. 

Note: If a candidate opts to be considered for the Regular Police Academy, he/she is not eligible for placement on the pay scale higher than a step one, which is entry level pay, and he/she will be required to attend the normal 6-month academy training.

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.

Starting pay for lateral hires ranges from step 3 through step 8. The starting point is discretionary and based on numerous factors including, but not limited to years of law enforcement service, law enforcement assignments, special training and agency size.