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

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. Start gaining experience now with our Pre-Academy Paid Employment with Benefits Program. Ask a recruiter how you can become a 'Pre-Recruit'. Pay Scale (2026) Recruit – Hourly: $19.31 – Salary: $63,003 Probationary Police Officer – Hourly: $30.29 – Salary: $63,003 Year 1 – Hourly: $30.75 – Salary: $63,960 Year 2 – Hourly: $31.21 – Salary: $64,916 Year 3 – Hourly: $31.68 – Salary: $65,894 Year 4 – Hourly: $32.31 – Salary: $67,204 Year 5 – Hourly: $34.57 – Salary: $71,905 Year 6 – Hourly: $35.26 – Salary: $73,340 Year 7 – Hourly: $35.97 – Salary: $74,817 Year 8 – Hourly: $36.69 – Salary: $76,315 Year 9 – Hourly: $37.42 – Salary: $77,833 Year 10 – Hourly: $40.04 – Salary: $83,283 Year 11 – Hourly: $40.84 – Salary: $84,947 Year 12 – Hourly: $41.66 – Salary: $86,652 Year 13 – Hourly: $45.82 – Salary: $95,305 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. 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. 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. Responsibilities Patrol a designated area of the County in a marked police car; prevent and discover the commission of a crime; apprehend criminals and offenders; Answer calls and radio complaints involving fires, automobile accidents, misdemeanors, felonies, and a wide variety of domestic‑related disturbances, including assistance with mentally or physically ill persons, neglected children, and marital disturbances; prepare related case, complaint, and shift reports. Conduct accident investigations and preliminary investigations at the scene of crimes; administer first‑aid; gather 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 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: 32 semester credit hours from an accredited university or college, with a cumulative average grade of 'C' or a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. 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. 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, including marijuana in all forms. 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. 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. Incentives The St. Louis County Police Department offers 7% shift differential pay for those who work the midnight shift. In addition, the Department offers tuition reimbursement and education incentives for officers who possess a degree of higher education from an accredited institution. They shall receive the following addition to their base rate of pay: Associate's degree: $1,200/year Bachelor's degree: $2,400/year Master's degree: $4,800/year Doctorate degree: $7,200/year Education incentive pay is subject to confirmation by Human Resources and will include proof of an official transcript awarding or conferring the degree. Competitive Selection Process Under the regulations of the Police Department, all appointments to the St. Louis County Police Department are made on the basis of a continuously open, competitive hiring process conducted under the supervision of the Personnel Services Unit. Each applicant must successfully complete each stage of the selection process before becoming eligible to proceed to the next step. The selection steps, in their order, take up to four months to complete. Preliminary Application Review A review of the electronic/paper application will be conducted by the Personnel Services Unit for initial verification of qualifications. Record Check A police record check will be conducted and applicants will be fingerprinted. Pistol Trigger Pull Test Applicants will be required to complete a trigger pull test of 25 pulls of the pistol trigger with their dominant hand in 1 minute and 13 pulls of the pistol trigger with their non‑dominant hand in 1 minute. A Department issued empty weapon will be used to administer the test with a barrel plug in place. Written Test Administration of a reading and comprehension test, followed by a Personnel Evaluation Profile questionnaire, will be given to assist in the initiation of the background investigation. The written exam will be waived for applicants with five (5) or more years of full‑time police experience. Physical Agility Assessment A physical agility assessment shall be conducted at the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy. This assessment will include sit‑ups, push‑ups and a 1.5 mile run. Applicants are expected to meet the minimum requirements in each category. A limited amount of applicants will be scheduled per session with each session lasting approximately two to three hours. A score for rating each applicant will be given. Background Investigation Applicants will be provided with a Personal History Questionnaire and supporting documents to determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the position. A thorough background investigation will be conducted on all police applicants in the areas of past employment record and reputation, personal references, neighborhood reputation, police record check, credit history and military record (when applicable). The background investigation is concluded with a polygraph examination in an attempt to verify information received from and about the applicant. Results of the polygraph examination are confidential and will be considered with the applicant's total file. Commander’s Interview A further evaluation to determine the candidate’s overall fitness for the position, including self‑expression, mental alertness and suitability for police duties will be conducted by the Personnel Services Commander or a designee. Final Review Board This is the final determination toward an offer of conditional appointment. High‑ranking Department officials provide the final evaluation of the candidate to the Chief of Police. This evaluation may result in an offer of conditional employment or an end to the current selection process. Reapplication In the event an applicant is eliminated during any phase of the process, reapplication may not be made for six months unless circumstances indicate that an earlier review may be warranted. Physical Health and Psychological Examinations These examinations will be given after a conditional offer of employment by a Department designated physician and psychologist and shall consist of various organic tests to determine the applicant’s suitability for the rigors of police work and their ability to participate in an increasingly difficult physical training program as a recruit at the Police Academy. The psychological exam will be used to determine the applicant's suitability for police work. If a Department designated physician or psychologist finds that the applicant meets physical and psychological standards for employment, the applicant will be appointed. Probationary Period Academy recruits are on probation while attending the Academy. Experienced police officers who are hired and Academy recruits who are promoted to Police Officer serve a 12 month probationary period. Equal Opportunity Employer The Board of Police Commissioners resolved that subject to all applicable State and Federal statutory or judicial exemptions, all qualified applicants for employment and/or advancement, whether commissioned or civilian, shall be given equal opportunity for consideration, selection, appointment and retention, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or political affiliation. #J-18808-Ljbffr St. Louis County, MO