Police Officer (New Recruits and Laterals) - 09/18/2026 Testing Date

About the role

The Springfield Police Department seeks to hire passionate new officers to serve the Southwest Missouri area. The department offers a comprehensive training program, diverse specialized units, and competitive benefits.

Responsibilities

• Understand and enforce the law to provide quality service and assist in reducing crime within Springfield.
• Use modern policing methods to solve community problems while treating people fairly and with empathy.
• Engage in community-oriented policing, traffic enforcement, and special detail assignments.
• Learn about Springfield-specific policies and procedures through a shortened 1-month academy.
• Develop skills in communication, accountability, and handling emergencies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 21 years old at the time of commissioning.
• Three years of full-time police experience within the last five years, including responding to calls for service, conducting investigations, and apprehending suspects.
• No felony convictions, domestic assault convictions, or DWI/DUI convictions within the past three years.
• No more than one DWI/DUI conviction in the past three years.
• No more than two moving violations within the past twelve months.
• No objectionable tattoos, especially on the face, head, or neck.

Qualifications

• A degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Experience or education in law enforcement.
• Class A P.O.S.T. certified peace officer or currently enrolled in a P.O.S.T. program.
• Military service with an honorable discharge or honorable military service in the national guard or armed forces reserves.
• U.S. citizenship.

Benefits

The department offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Quality training through the Police Academy.
• Opportunities for specialized assignments and promotions.
• Excellent physical condition requirement.
• Compensation for travel expenses related to testing and relocation.
• Relocation reimbursement for new recruits and lateral officers.

Pay and Schedule

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications. The schedule includes a combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include understanding and enforcing laws, using modern policing methods, effective communication, and holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Skills

Essential skills include:

• Understanding and enforcing laws.
• Using modern policing methods.
• Effective communication.
• Holding oneself and others accountable.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Pension plan.
• Retirement savings options.

Pay

Payscale is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Combination of day and night shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays.