Academy Recruit or Experienced Officer (St. Louis County Police Hire)

St. Louis County Police Officer

Become a St. Louis County Police Officer! The six month basic training period is compensated at $19.31 an hour. Upon graduation, Probationary Police Officers enter the existing commissioned pay matrix. Experienced Officers are compensated at one to one for completed years of service.

Years of Service - 2025 Scale - Salary

Recruit - $19.31

Probationary Police Officer - $29.81 - $62,004

1 - $30.26 - $62,940

2 - $30.71 - $63,876

3 - $31.17 - $64,833

4 - $31.80 - $66,144

5 - $34.02 - $70,761

6 - $34.70 - $72,176

7 - $35.40 - $73,632

8 - $36.11 - $75,108

9 - $36.83 - $76,606

10 - $39.40 - $81,952

11 - $40.19 - $83,595

12 - $40.99 - $85,262

13 - $44.40 - $92,352

The St. Louis County Police Department offers exciting and rewarding career opportunities to candidates who have the skills and determination to succeed in the exciting profession of law enforcement. Please read the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS to ensure that you are eligible. If you do not meet the qualifications, you may be interested in the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy's Open Enrollment Program.

St. Louis County Police Department was founded in 1955 with a force of 95 commissioned officers. We have grown to an authorized strength of over 1,300 employees, both sworn officers and highly skilled professional staff personnel. This growth is a reflection of our commitment to Neighborhood Policing- a partnership between police and law-abiding citizens to create permanent solutions to problems that lead to crime. The St. Louis County Police Department provides a uniform patrol presence spanning 370 square miles across unincorporated St. Louis County. We are also the largest provider of contracted law enforcement services in the State of Missouri, contracting with over 70 agencies for a variety of services. We appreciate our employees and the citizens we serve. We seek to attract applicants from every community, other law enforcement agencies, professions and disciplines to all positions in our Department. We value the men and women of America's military. Everyone is equally welcome and encouraged to apply. Every day will bring a new, non-routine and exciting challenge to you and the opportunity to help and protect others. We offer a positive work environment; fair and family-friendly work policies; cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and many opportunities to receive advanced training for your safety, security and advancement.

Examples of Duties

• Patrol a designated area of the County in a marked police car; prevent and discover the commission of a crime; apprehend criminals and offenders; enforce vehicle and traffic laws and make police presence known in a manner that contributes towards deterrence of violations.
• Answer calls and radio complaints involving fires, automobile accidents, misdemeanors, felonies, and wide variety of domestic-related disturbances including assistance with mentally or physically ill persons, neglected children, and marital disturbances; prepares varied related case, complaint, and shift reports.
• Conduct accident investigations and preliminary investigations at the scene of crimes; administer first-aid; gathers evidence; locate and question witnesses; make arrests as necessitated by circumstances; seek and obtain arrest warrants, search warrants and testify in court.
• Establish traffic control and police protection at fires and other incidents which may attract crowds; perform police duties at parades, processions, demonstrations, and sporting events; check and report on deficient street lights, signs, road surfaces, or other facilities which serve the public.
• Upon completion of appropriate training and education, perform specialized duties as required in the different divisions of the Department.

Minimum Qualifications

AGE REQUIREMENT: Must be at least 21 years of age, or applicant must reach their 21st birthday by the time of completion of the academy training course. RESIDENCY: No residency requirement. Must be a citizen of the United States. EDUCATION/WORK EXPERIENCE: You must have either: 1. 32 semester credit hours from an accredited university or college. Both require a cumulative average letter grade of "C" or a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent, OR 2. A high school diploma or GED with one year full-time prior police experience or two years of active military service or four years of National Guard/Reserve service. Police experience can be in a professional staff position with the St. Louis County Police Department designated by the Chief, to include the Department's Cadet Program. OR 3. Five years of successful work experience. Successful work experience is defined as:

• Continuous full-time employment, averaging 30 hours or more per week; and
• Overall positive reviews of work performance from employers; and
• No negative terminations of employment; and
• Multiple employers are acceptable if the above factors are met.

Out-of-state police officers/military peace officers who possess or obtain State of Missouri POST class "A" certification will be evaluated in conjunction with their education/work experience. Visit the POST website at for additional information.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG GUIDELINES: Any illegal adult use or possession of a controlled substance, excluding marijuana, within one year prior to employment. The word "drug" refers to any type of controlled substance for which you do not have a prescription; to include marijuana in all forms (edibles, gummies, or any other product containing THC).

TATTOO POLICY: Department employees shall not display tattoos that are visible on the face, neck, or head. Tattoos which may be visible in a short sleeve uniform will be considered by the Chief of Police on a case-by-case basis. Imagery which may be deemed inappropriate or offensive in nature shall be considered grounds for disqualification. Applicants will be required to provide a photograph and explanation to provide context of any visible tattoos.

VISION: Minimum Department standard is 20/200 in each eye, uncorrected; correctable to 20/20 in each eye.

ARREST RECORD: Free from conviction of a Felony or any other criminal offense that would prohibit the applicant from obtaining a Missouri POST Class "A" license, if none currently held. All convictions for a Class "A" Misdemeanor will be cause for a review and authorization from the Chief of Police.

DRIVER'S LICENSE: Possess a valid operator's license at the time of appointment and have five (5) or fewer points against their operator's license at the time of application; and MILITARY: Must not have a Dishonorable or Bad Conduct Discharge from the military service. Honorable Discharge and General Discharge (Under Honorable Conditions) are accepted. Other Than Honorable discharges shall be reviewed on an individual basis, if applicable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of modern police practices and methods.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances particularly the laws of arrest and evidence.
• Some knowledge of the geography of St. Louis County.
• Working knowledge of the principles and techniques of interrogation.
• Knowledge of first aid principles.
• Skill in the use and care of firearms and in operating police vehicles.
• Ability to wear and effectively utilize all Department issued items of uniforms and equipment as specified in the Department's General Order, Uniforms, and Appearance regardless of assignment.
• Ability to work regular and irregular shift work and shift rotations necessary to provide police services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year (weekends and holidays included). Work shifts vary between 8, 10, or 12 hours in duration but may be extended in the event of an emergency, disaster, manpower shortage, workload, or work-in-progress.

Additional Information