Police Officer Trainee

Police Officer-Trainee

At the Lake Havasu City Police Department, we protect more than just people — we protect a way of life. With 300 days of sunshine, a world-famous lake, and a tight-knit community, we're looking for future officers ready to serve with heart, integrity, and courage.

Whether you're cruising past the London Bridge or responding to a call in the desert, no two days are the same here — and we like it that way.

The ideal candidate for the Lake Havasu City Police Officer Trainee position is a motivated and community-focused individual who is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and public service. They possess strong communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

If you are looking for the opportunity to start your career in law enforcement, working for a growing and busy agency, submit your completed application at Only completed applications will be considered and resumes in lieu of application will not be accepted.

Why Lake Havasu?

• 300+ days of sunshine
• Stunning natural environment
• Epic community events
• Strong sense of community + Arizona sunsets
• Your new favorite off-duty spot: London Bridge

Hiring Incentive:

• May be eligible for hiring incentives to include relocation expenses.

Fully Equipped Like a Pro:

• Officers are provided with department-issued uniforms, which are professionally dry cleaned at the department's expense.
• All necessary equipment and duty gear are supplied by the department.

Technology:

• Department patrol vehicles are equipped with Axon Fleet in-car cameras, an in-car mobile computer, and in-car mounted speed radar.
• AI report writing software is utilized, which streamlines the report writing process.

Work Schedule & Conditions:

• Shift work requires day, night, weekend, and holiday shifts
• Depending on the assignment, officers may work 10- or 12-hour shifts. Based on shift start time, a pay differential of 3% or 5% is added to the hourly rate.
• Officers may work outdoors and may be exposed to extreme temperatures.

Requirements to Roll With Us:

• Police Officer - AZ State certification as a Police Officer
• United States Citizenship
• Ability to pass a background investigation
• High school diploma or GED (preferably supplemented by coursework in Criminal Justice, and/or Military Service experience).
• Arizona driver's license (or the ability to get one)

You vs. Pre-Approved Testing Process:

• 500-yard run
• Obstacle course
• Chain link and solid fence
• Body drag.

Writing assignment:

• The topic to be announced at successful completion of the physical agility testing.

Oral Board Interview:

• Those who successfully complete the Oral Board Interview will be given a background questionnaire that will be used to complete the background investigation phase of the selection process, which can take several weeks.
• Upon completion, candidates who are selected to move forward will be contacted at a later date to schedule a polygraph examination.

******PRE-APPROVED TESTING PROCESS - BY INVITATION ONLY*********

• TBD - National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) ONLINE. Lake Havasu City Police Department has partnered with Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP) to administer the POST exam. This exam will consist of Arithmetic, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Incident Report Writing. This component will be approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. An overall passing score of 70% is required in order to move forward. Candidates who successfully complete the POST exam will be invited to participate in the Physical agility test. Candidates may purchase at their own expense a Practice National Police Officer Selection Test and POST Study Guide at
• Physical agility testing: Candidates will be required to complete a 500-yard run, an obstacle course, scale a chain link fence and a solid fence, and complete a body drag. Candidates are required to successfully finish each component in order to move forward and accumulate a minimum combined score of 384 points.
• Writing assignment: The topic to be announced at successful completion of the physical agility testing.
• Oral Board Interview: Those who successfully complete the Oral Board Interview will be given a background questionnaire that will be used to complete the background investigation phase of the selection process, which can take several weeks.
• Upon completion, candidates who are selected to move forward will be contacted at a later date to schedule a polygraph examination.

Additional Comments:

Lake Havasu City is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Benefits:

• Employer provided Medical/Rx (Health Savings Plan, Exclusive Provider Organization)
• Dental/Vision
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account
• Employer Provided Basic Life Insurance
• Optional Additional Life Insurance
• Optional Insurance-Critical Illness, Hospitalization Indemnity, Accident
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually
• Bereavement Leave
• Paid Time Off
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Opportunities for advancement
• Sworn Police Officers participate in the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).
• Optional Deferred Compensation
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Service Awards

Applicants for employment opportunities should be aware of the Lake Havasu City policies concerning the use of drugs and alcohol. These policies have not been altered by the passage of Proposition 207. The use of recreational marijuana is a violation of the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy. All positions within the City are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test. A positive result for drugs tested under the policy, including recreational marijuana, may be grounds for withdrawal of an offer of employment.

The City reserves the right to consider only the most highly qualified applicants. The succeeding examination processes may be required: training and experience, testing, panel interview, employment eligibility verification (EEV) requirements, psychological evaluation, polygraph test, background investigation and alcohol/drug screening test. Appointment subject to successful background investigation and City paid post-employment medical examination after an offer of employment has been made.