POLICE OFFICER - LATERAL

Description

Under general supervision, performs a variety of tasks requiring application of judgment based on knowledge gained through experience and training and occasionally exercises independent judgment when dealing with emergency situations. Is responsible for the protection of life and property and the preservation of order in the City of Bettendorf through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Work normally consists of pro-active patrol responding to calls for service, traffic regulation and investigative duties in a designated area of the city. May also be assigned to specialized units responsible for follow-up investigations, self-initiated criminal investigations, traffic enforcement and other support or staff services. Performs other duties as assigned.


Examples of Duties:

• Conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations as assigned, requested directly by a citizen, or self-initiated.
• Patrol a designated area by mechanical or physical conveyance to protect life and property, preserve order, prevent and discover criminal acts, and enforce appropriate federal, state, and local law through arrests, citations, or other means.
• Communicate as appropriate through electronic, oral or written means, factual information ascertained through investigation, observation, or other sources.
• Cooperate in the adjudication of criminal, traffic, or civil cases by providing testimony or evidence at court proceedings, inquests, depositions or other judicial processes.
• Seek and develop public contacts and confidential sources with respect to places and persons suspected of criminal activity.
• Maintain good interpersonal and working relations with officers and employees of the department and other agencies.
• Give presentations and lectures to the public on various facets of police service, public safety education, and community programs.
• Communicate information of criminal activity or problems to appropriate divisions, sections, or supervisors of the police department and other appropriate agencies.
• Maintain broad knowledge of federal, state and local laws and the application of enforcement principles.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

The Bettendorf Police Department is accepting lateral applications from certified police officers across the United States who are eligible for Iowa certification and meet the requirements per the City of Bettendorf.

Requires the successful completion of the Civil Service examination requirements as stated in the Code of Iowa, a valid driver's license, and certification from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Requires continued ability to qualify with firearms.


Experience:

Applicants for a position as a police officer with the City of Bettendorf must have two years of full-time law enforcement experience as a sworn federal, state, or local police officer, OR at least sixty semester hours of accredited college or university, OR completion of a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) that has been validated by the Department of Labor and/or state apprenticeship agency, OR have two years of active-duty military experience. Bachelor's degree is preferred.


Applicants who are currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and are anticipated to have 60 semester credit hours by date of hire will be considered at time of application.


Interpersonal Skills:

Requires the interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with a broad spectrum of the general population. Contacts include department and City employees, City residents, crime victims, witnesses, and perpetrators, representatives from the legal and court systems, and elected City officials.


Analytical Abilities:

Evaluates crime scenes and investigative evidence, reconstructs the events of a crime, requests warrants based on deductions. Analyzes the potential threat in combat situations to determine the appropriateness of deadly force. Requires the ability to identify the nature of domestic or civil disturbances and resolve such incidents equitably.


Working Conditions:

Requires working outdoors a majority of the shift as well as operating a motor vehicle in all weather conditions ranging from mild to severe. Requires occasional heavy exerting, lifting, pushing, running, and unarmed combat. Exposed to occasional armed combat which can be life threatening or result in bodily injury.


Minimum Qualifications


There shall be strict adherence to the following minimum qualifications. Applicants not meeting or maintaining these minimum standards throughout the entire selection process will not be considered for employment as a peace officer with the City of Bettendorf.

• Citizenship: An applicant must be a citizen of the United States.
• Residence: Civil Service employees who are designated as emergency personnel must reside within Scott County, the corporate limits of the City of Bettendorf, or within fifteen (15) miles within the corporate limits of the City of Bettendorf by the most direct street, road, or highway. The appropriate residency must be established within 6 months of hire. Please view and read the full Residency Requirements.
• Age: Applicant must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.

Education:

Applicants for a position as a police officer with the City of Bettendorf must have two years of full-time law enforcement experience as a sworn federal, state, or local police officer, OR at least sixty semester hours of accredited college or university, OR completion of a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) that has been validated by the Department of Labor and/or state apprenticeship agency, OR have two years of active-duty military experience. Bachelor's degree is preferred.


Applicants who are currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and are anticipated to have 60 semester credit hours by date of hire will be considered at time of application.


Physical Requirements:

An applicant who will become an officer is required to be in acceptable physical and mental condition to perform his/her duties under physically demanding conditions. The following specific requirements must be met and maintained throughout the entire selection process:

• Uncorrected vision no worse than 20/100 in each eye, corrected to 20/20 in each eye.
• Has color vision consistent with the occupational demands of law enforcement.
• Normal hearing in each ear.
• Medical conditions not specified will be evaluated by the Department's physician, whose decision will be final.
• Must meet ILEA (Iowa Law Enforcement Academy) physical fitness standards. Please read and review Physical Agility Test - Police.
• Please read and review Frequently Asked Questions of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
• Appointees will be required to adhere to professional standards set forth by the Bettendorf Police Department addressing the display of tattoos. Officers may not appear on duty or in uniform with any visible facial, head or neck tattoos. No tattoos will be permitted below the wrist with the exception of a single ring tattoo (one per hand). Exceptions may be granted by the Chief of Police.

Driving Record:

Applicants must possess a valid license. An applicant will not be considered for employment at this time if:

• Driving privileges have been suspended, cancelled or revoked in the three years prior to receipt of this application due to a moving traffic violation(s). These violations include, but are not limited to: driving while intoxicated, suspended, revoked or barred. Other suspensions, cancellations or revocations will be evaluated.
• Conviction of five moving violations in the three years prior to the receipt of this application.
• Conviction of two or more offenses of operating while under the Influence of alcohol or driving while under the influence of any controlled substance in the last 10 years.
• Other conduct not specified will be evaluated.

Good Moral Character:

An applicant must be of good moral character, which means that he/she can be trusted and is considered by those who know him/her to be a person of good reputation and good standing in the community. When conduct is of a nature that, if known, would tend to discredit the applicant as a peace officer, the applicant will not be employed. The character of a person is determined by past behavior. Many factors are relevant in this assessment. The Department seeks applicants whose histories show good judgment, maturity, a sense of responsibility, and the respect of others. Several factors will be considered:

• Conviction or commission of a felony (as defined by Iowa Law) will disqualify an applicant.
• Conviction or commission of an aggravated misdemeanor (as defined by Iowa Law), less than 5 years ago will disqualify an applicant. Conviction or commission of an aggravated misdemeanor more than 5 years ago will be evaluated.
• Conviction or commission of a serious misdemeanor (as defined by Iowa Law), less than 2 years ago will disqualify an applicant. Conviction or commission of a serious misdemeanor more than 2 years ago will be evaluated.
• Conviction of domestic assault, child abuse, or other conviction resulting from domestic or child abuse will disqualify an applicant.
• A consistent pattern of unexplained failures to meet debt obligations will be evaluated.
• An applicant who intentionally gives false or misleading information to the Department at any time during the application process will be disqualified.
• History of excessive use of alcohol will be evaluated.
• An applicant who has used any illegal drug while employed in any law enforcement or prosecution position, or while employed in a position which carries with it a high level of responsibility or public trust, will be found unsuitable for employment.
• Unlawful sale of ANY controlled substance will disqualify an applicant.
• Individuals who have illegally used soft drugs at least one time within three years prior to application date, and up to the date of employment will be grounds for disqualification.

• Individuals who have illegally used hard drugs at least one time within five years prior to application date, and up to and up to the date of employment will be disqualified.

• An applicant who has used marijuana, cannabis, or THC in any form (natural or synthetic) and in any location (domestic or foreign) at least one time within one year prior to the application date, and up to the date of employment, will be disqualified.
• An applicant who is discovered to have misrepresented his/her drug history in completing the application will be found unsuitable for employment.
• An applicants employment history, including terminations, or leaving an employer in lieu of termination, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.
• Other conduct not specified will be evaluated.

Pay Structure Effective July 1, 2026

• 1-3 years of service: $33.73/hour
• 3-5 years of service: $35.57/hour
• 5-7 years of service: $37.51/hour
• 7-9 years of service: $39.55/hour
• 9-11 years of service: $41.71/hour
• 11-13 years of service: $43.98/hour
• 13-15 years of service: $46.38/hour
• 15+ years of service: $48.91/hour

These pay rates do not include patrol shift differentials, which are an additional $0.40 per hour for second shift and $0.50 per hour for third shift.

Bonus: Applicants who are already certified law enforcement officers are eligible for bonuses. The bonus schedule is as follows:


$2,500.00 - after completion of field training program
$2,500.00 - after completion of one year of service from date of hire
$2,500.00 - after completion of second year of service from date of hire
$2,500.00 - after completion of third year of service from date of hire


Out of state certified officers also qualify for the bonus incentive with the only difference being the first $2,500.00 bonus is received after completion of field training program and successfully completing the Certification through Examination otherwise known as the CTE program through the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy which certifies the officer in the State of Iowa.


Submit the following with your initial application.


1. Resume


After submitting your application and resume and it has been determined that you meet basic qualifications you will receive an activation email from Guardian Alliance Technologies. You will need to create an account if you do not have a pre-existing one. You will be required to complete a personal history questionnaire (PHQ) as part of your application. As part of this process, you are also required to upload multiple forms, documents and waivers Into the Guardian Alliance system. Failure to complete, certify and submit the PHQ and document upload process within 10 days of the activation email can result in disqualification from the hiring process.


Forms and Documents Required In Guardian Alliance.


Authorization for Release of Information (complete with signature)


Pre-employment Investigation Discovery Waiver (complete with signature)


Eyesight Verification (complete with physician signature)


Verification of Non-Addiction Form(complete with signatures)


Photocopy of your current driver's license


Photocopy of your social security card


Photocopy of your birth certificate


Copy of your military discharge paper, DD 214 (if applicable)


Certified copy of your college transcript (if applicable - please note these can take several weeks to obtain. You will want to request the copies early)


Credit Check Waiver Form.


Failure to complete the personal history questionnaire and submit required application materials may lead to disqualification.