POLICE RECRUIT

Police Recruit

*Upon successful completion of all phases of training, a Police Recruit will be promoted to Police Officer with an annual entrance salary of $54,421. State statute provides an additional $7,200 in annual supplemental pay after one (1) year of qualified law enforcement service. City longevity pay is provided upon completion of one (1) year of consecutive service with the City. Employees in the classifications of Police Recruit, Police Officer and above are eligible for educational incentive pay at the rate of $1,000 per year for an Associate's Degree, or $2,000 per year for a Bachelor's Degree, or $3,000 per year for a Graduate Degree. Colleges must be accredited by a regional accrediting authority recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Trainee-level police work under close supervision, involving the protection of life and property and the enforcement of federal, state, and municipal laws and ordinances; and related work as required.

This class represents the training level for career police work in which an employee receives initial assignment to the police academy for intensive and specialized training in all phases of police work. The essential functions of the Police Recruit position include: attending training classes, lectures and seminars on the subject matter being taught; reading and studying textbooks, manuals, journals, and other training materials; and receiving training in the physical aspects of police work including: physical conditioning (e.g. running; scaling walls; jumping ditches; etc.), use of firearms, and self-defense. Upon completion of all phases of Police Recruit training, candidates will be promoted to the class of Police Officer and will serve a one (1) year probationary period in that class. The essential functions of the Police Officer position are: enforcing of laws and the preserving of order; receiving and following general and special instructions from officers of higher rank; acting without direct supervision and exercising independent discretion in meeting emergencies; patrolling a specified beat or district on foot, motorcycle, bicycle, scooter, horse or by car; operating a car; pursuing and apprehending fleeing suspects (climbing fences or walls, jumping ditches, running up to several blocks, etc.); escorting prisoners to police station and having law violators booked on charges; using firearms and other means of self-defense; and composing and completing reports. Work involves an element of personal danger. This is a training class in which an employee does not achieve permanent status. Upon employment, employees may be assigned to work on a rotating or fixed shift basis, which may include nights, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events. Employees in this classification are subject to call to duty in emergencies and may be required to work overtime with little to no notice. An employee's work hours and days will be at the discretion of the Superintendent of Police or his/her designee.

Minimum Qualifications

Be at least 20 years old.

Be licensed to drive with a good driving record and driving experience.

Be in good physical and psychological condition to perform the essential functions of the job of Police Officer.

Possess a state approved G.E.D./high school diploma. (Please see #2 below regarding foreign diplomas.)

A valid driver's license.

A high school diploma, high school transcript, or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) issued by a state Department of Education. College diplomas from institutions accredited as colleges/universities by an organization that is recognized by the USDE (United States Department of Education) will also be accepted.

High school diplomas and College diplomas from foreign countries will be accepted if the applicant submits a statement of educational equivalency from one of the evaluation services accepted by the Department of Civil Service. A list of the accepted evaluation services can be found on the National Association of Credential Evacuation Services (NACES) website (

Prior to appointment, the hiring agency is required to verify education and driver's license claimed by the applicant to qualify for this classification. If selected for hire, applicants must provide original documents to the hiring agency prior to their start date in this job classification.

Automatic disqualifiers include: been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felony; been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to any misdemeanor involving any crimes against person or sexual offenses; been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, any offenses involving violations of the civil rights of any person under the Constitution or laws of the United States or any state or territory; used any prescription drug or legally obtainable substance in a manner for which it was not intended within the two years prior to application; used any illegal drug, other than marijuana, within the five years prior to application; sold, distributed, manufactured, or transported any illegal drug; been dishonorably discharged from any military service and/or arrested for any violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice that would constitute a Felony or disqualifying Misdemeanor in the State of Louisiana; been terminated or forced to resign from any law enforcement agency for disciplinary reasons; resigned a position within a law enforcement agency to avoid potential or proposed adverse disciplinary action or termination; or received a disability retirement from any law enforcement agency.

Kind of Examination

A non-competitive examination consisting of a report writing test, multiple choice reading test and a human relations test which focuses on using good judgment in enforcement, public relations, and teamwork. Applicants must wait a period of three (3) months before they are eligible to be re-tested. Applicants who fail the test on two consecutive attempts must wait six (6) months prior to re-testing.

If given a conditional offer of employment, a qualifying medical test including a chest x-ray, lumbar spine x-ray, and psychological/psychiatric evaluation. A stress EKG may be given.

Note: After the Civil Service examination process, additional screening steps will be administered by NOPD prior to a conditional offer of employment including a physical agility test, panel interview, urinalysis and background investigation. The physical agility events are: sit-ups (ten repetitions in one minute), push-ups (five repetitions), and a 1-mile run (completed in a maximum of seventeen minutes).

This is a non-competitive original entrance examination. DOMICILE requirements are waived for this position.

General Information

The City of New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, creed, culture, or ancestry. Requests for alternate format or accommodations should be directed to Shana Parker at View phone number on click.appcast.io or TTY/Voice at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Background check: The hiring department will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history.

Applications: Applications will not be accepted if received after the closing date or after the stated maximum number of applications has been received, as specified on this announcement. All minimum qualification requirements for examinations must be met by the final filing date unless otherwise specified on this announcement.

Working test period: Effective August 1, 2023, the working test (probationary) period for all positions in the classified service is one year.

Substance abuse testing: The City of New Orleans has a comprehensive program of substance abuse testing. Candidates for employment for certain positions where the health, welfare and/or safety of the public, co-workers and the individual employee is at risk will have to undergo pre-employment substance abuse screening. Candidates for all other original entrance positions will have to undergo an unannounced substance abuse screening during their working test period. For further information, see Civil Service Rule V, Section 9.

Medical examination: Is required for all original entrance probationary appointments to ACTIVE classifications, and may be required for re-employment, promotions and/or transfers.

Medical screening: Which may result in a medical examination, is required for all original entrance probationary appointments to non-active classifications.

Good moral character is required of all applicants. Any applicant may be disqualified if his/her character or past employment record is found to be unsatisfactory as determined by the Department of City Civil Service. Forgery, misrepresentation of facts, or cheating on examinations is punishable by disqualification, fine and other penalties.

Veterans preference: On original entrance examinations, veterans (as defined in Article X, Section 10(2) of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana), disabled veterans, certain spouses and parents of veterans shall receive additional credit if claimed as provided on the Veterans Preference claim form which can be obtained in this office. To obtain credit, this form must be submitted