Police Officer

Job Description

*ACCEPTING CERTIFIED AND NON-CERTIFIED CANDIDATES*

*THIS APPLICATION CLOSES APRIL 10TH, 2026*

POSITION SUMMARY

The general responsibilities of a Police Officer for the Town of Smyrna include responding to calls for service, enforcing traffic and criminal laws, and operating police vehicles when on routine patrol.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage in interpersonal communications with the public and co-workers by promoting a professional and courteous environment
• Participate with co-workers and supervisors in the advancement of the department's goals and objectives
• Required to efficiently analyze and organize information and evidence obtained during traffic and criminal investigations for prosecution purposes
• Deliver emergency services to the public by responding to calls for service safely and promptly and by providing assistance to those in need
• Protect the public, co-workers and themselves from harm and injury by following established safety and security practices and by correcting and/or reporting safety and/or security hazards or risks
• Responsible for the entire arrest procedure including examining, handcuffing, conducting a field search and guarding the arrestee to prevent escape or suicide
• Required to exercise discretion in the use of deadly and non-deadly force
• May be required to arraign a defendant, as well as testify in court
• Able to make NCIC, DELJIS, and CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) inquiries and conduct a full traffic collision investigation (i.e., interview witnesses, sketch and measure collision scenes, determine contributing factors and identify violations, etc.)
• Enforce criminal, traffic laws of the State of Delaware and Ordinances of the Town of Smyrna
• Must possess the physical ability necessary to subdue attacking or resisting individuals
• May be required to work rotating shifts and adapt to irregular working conditions
• Required to write different types of reports, including traffic reports, summonses and arrest reports
• Able to identify public utility problems and report other road hazards
• Assist motorists in need of assistance or to perform traffic direction and control
• Utilize a variety of equipment in the performance of their job duties, including but not limited to an automobile, 800 MHz police radio, baton, breath testing instrument, computer terminal, fire extinguisher, flashlight, handcuffs, radar and lidar, semi-automatic pistol, long gun, body armor and photographic equipment
• May instruct suspects on the process to obtain an attorney, enforce court orders, respond to civil disputes, and testify in Multiple Courts
• Prepare search and arrest warrants, collect evidence, and inventory stolen property
• May engage in a physical altercation after being assaulted, may have to stand/walk continuously for more than one-half the work shift and walk on narrow, elevated surfaces
• Prepare interdepartmental memorandums and daily operational reports, as well as maintain daily logs
• Clean and inspect firearms and perform random equipment inspections

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of laws and departmental rules/regulations/procedures, as well as other resource materials
• Must demonstrate usable knowledge of court decisions
• Skilled in the use of firearms, as well as non-lethal weapons
• Able to drive in both emergency and non-emergency conditions
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, cope with stressful situations and evaluate a situation, respond correctly and apply appropriate discretion and common sense

EDUCATION/ PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a high school diploma from an accredited high school or possess a G.E.D. and be able to provide proof of graduation.
• Twenty-one (21) years of age or older
• A citizen of the United States
• Normal hearing
• Minimum uncorrected vision not greater than 20/200 in each eye and correctable with lenses to 20/20 in each eye
• Able to distinguish between the colors of red, green and amber
• Height and weight proportionate
• Must successfully pass all four evaluation areas described in the department's physical agility test.
• Must attain a minimum passing score of 70 percent on a written examination of job-related knowledge.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES

• Applicants must have a current valid driver's license and at least one year of driving experience. An applicant with a prior driving suspension or revocation must have one year of reinstatement in order to be eligible to apply. Any alcohol-related driving arrests and overall driving history will be subject to review.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• All potential employees will be subject to a background investigation.
• No residency requirement when submitting application. However, must reside within 45 minutes of the Town of Smyrna or certify that he/she will do so within 6 months of appointment to the position.
• Use of any illegal drug two years prior to application or any prior use of a hallucinogenic drug will be an automatic disqualification. All other drug use, including illegally using prescribed drugs, is subject to review.
• Any felony conviction is an automatic disqualification. Any criminal activity that would be considered a felony under Delaware law or the law of the state in which the activity occurred in is a disqualification. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for an expungement on any past misdemeanor arrests. All arrests will be subject to evaluation.
• All potential employees will be subject to a psychological and physical health examination

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Base Salary:

CERTIFIED STARTING PAY: Based on experience

2026 RECRUIT STARTING PAY: $64,240.15 ($66,667.83 after completion of academy and field training)

YEAR 3 PAY: $80,232.69

Benefits:

• 20-year State of Delaware County and Municipal Pension Plan
• Uniforms provided
• Yearly equipment allowance of $250
• 20 days of Paid Time Off (increases with time in service)
• 12 paid holidays
• Shift differential pay
• College tuition reimbursement
• Restorative rest policy
• Allowed up to 1 hour to workout per shift
• Deferred compensation/ investment plan
• 12 hour shifts (patrol)
• Tax deferred medical/ childcare program
• Blood bank membership

Physical Agility Test Standards (

Selection Process Outline (

**APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS**

• Fill out the online application ( ( Answer each question completely and accurately. All statements on your application are subject to verification. Incorrect statements may bar or remove you from employment.
• Clearly describe your qualifications in detail. Credit cannot be given for education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that you fail to indicate or describe fully.
• Once you begin your application, you will not be able to save your progress and return later. Be prepared to answer questions pertaining to your education, employment, background, and driving history. You will be asked to submit a resume and you will need to provide your driver's license number.
• In the application, you will be asked to electronically sign your name twice. Please read all information and disclosures before doing so, your electronic signature will be equivalent to a written signature.
• We consider applications for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other legally protected status.