Police Recruit

Police Recruit

The City of El Mirage offers a rare environment, a hidden gem in a career field that's constantly evolving. We are seeking recruits who are proactive, community-minded, and want to gain experience and make a difference. El Mirage is located close to activities, sports, and entertainment and has a lower cost of living.

It's been said that you must see it and feel it, not just hear it. Come ride along with one of our officers to see the family environment in our department and feel the support from our community. We value our relationship with the community and enjoy strong support from the residents, city council, and city management. We have a modern police facility, a fleet of new vehicles, an on-site gym, up-to-date equipment, and the latest in technology. We will provide you with the training, experience, and tools to work efficiently and be the best you can be!

We are a true family of officers and professional staff and value the talent and contributions of each individual member. Within our department, you are not just a number or a face in the crowd. We will get to know you, support you, and offer you the opportunity to make a real difference in our community.

Growth opportunities and special assignments such as field training officer, motor officer, K-9 handler, detective, school resource officer, and task forces are available, along with opportunities for a variety of skill sets.

The City reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised date if we receive sufficient applications for the position. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Hiring Process: The City reserves the right to consider only the most qualified applicants for the succeeding examination processes. The Police Chief has the discretion to modify the order processes described below.

• Submit application
• Meet minimum qualifications
• Interview.
• Complete the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) personal history form and the El Mirage Police Department background packet, with all supporting documents.
• Attend a Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT) screening, which consists of the following:
• 99-yard obstacle course (sharp turns, curb-height obstacles, and a 34-inch high obstacle that must be vaulted).
• Body Drag (lift and drag 165-pound lifelike dummy for 32 feet).
• Chain-link fence (run five yards to a chain-link fence, climb over, and continue to run 25 yards).
• Solid Wall Climb (run five yards to a six-foot solid wall, climb over, and continue to run 25 yards).
• Run 500 yards.
• Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:
• POPAT (Pass/Fail)
• Preference Points (if applicable)
• Background Interview.
• Polygraph Examination
• Police Ride Along
• Conditional Job Offer
• Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) Medical Examination (general health, fitness, conditioning, and a drug screen).
• Psychological Screening
• Interview with the Police Chief and/or member of the Command Staff.
• Final Job Offer

Automatic Disqualifiers

• Been convicted of a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Arizona.
• Been convicted of or adjudged to have violated traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles with a frequency within the past three years that indicates a disrespect for traffic laws or a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highway.
• Been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
• Been previously denied certified status, have certified status revoked, or have current certified status suspended, or have voluntarily surrendered certified status in lieu of possible disciplinary action in Arizona or any other state.
• Have illegally possessed, produced, cultivated, or transported marijuana for sale or sold marijuana.
• Have illegally possessed or used marijuana for any purpose within the past six (6) months. This includes all forms of marijuana, including THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts, and marijuana edibles. Note: Use or possession of over-the-counter products containing cannabidiol (CBD) is NOT disqualifying.
• Have ever illegally used marijuana other than for experimentation.
• Have illegally possessed, produced, cultivated, or transported a dangerous drug, hallucinogens, or narcotics for sale or sold dangerous drugs, hallucinogens, or narcotics.
• Have illegally used a dangerous drug, hallucinogen, or narcotic for any purpose within the past seven years. This includes dangerous drugs, hallucinogens, and narcotics, including methamphetamine, amphetamine, speed, spice, bath salts, peyote, mushrooms, ecstasy, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, mescaline, salvia, phencyclidine (PCP), cocaine, heroin, and opioids.
• Have ever illegally used a dangerous drug, hallucinogen, or narcotic other than for experimentation.
• Have illegally possessed or used anabolic-androgenic or corticosteroid steroids for any purpose within the past three years.
• Have illegally possessed or used Adderall, except as prescribed by a physician, within the past three years.
• Have a pattern of abuse of prescription medication.
• Have ever illegally used any of the above-listed prohibited drugs while employed or appointed as a peace officer.

Job Classification Title: Police Recruit

Working Title(s): Police Recruit

FLSA Status: NE Safety Sensitive: Yes Pay Grade: Police Recruit FY2026-2027 Pay Rate: $34.41 per hour

Distinguishing Characteristics Organizational Role: Paraprofessional-Operational Supervision Exercised: None Budget Authority: None Competency Rank(s): N/A

This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature and not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. The essential duties and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation may vary based on the specific tasks assigned as determined by the City of El Mirage. This class is the first level in a four-level Sworn Police series. Incumbents attend the Police Training Academy in preparation for becoming a sworn Police Officer and assist with law enforcement and crime prevention work in a training capacity.

The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the City's needs.

• Learns the operations of the Police Department through observation and participation in a wide variety of police activities.
• Attends the Police Training Academy and meets all standards.
• Assists with patrol under close supervision.
• Learns the coordination and conduct of investigatory work.
• Responds to calls under close supervision.
• Learns the methods of securing scenes of crime, administering first aid, conducting arrests, and preparing detailed reports.
• Learns skills relevant to providing testimony as a witness in court.
• Operates a motor vehicle.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge

• Basic functions of a public safety operation.
• Basic functions of community policing.
• First aid principles and practices.
• Occupational hazards and applicable safety principles and practices.
• Uses and properties of supplies and equipment.
• Safe driving practices and geography of the city.
• Practices for maintaining logs and records.
• Report preparation, grammar, punctuation.
• Basic math to calculate measurements and perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages.
• Motor vehicle operation.

Skills

• Following directions and meeting standards.
• Learning through observation.
• Learning police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques, equipment, police records and reports, and first aid techniques.
• Learning criminal law and criminal procedures with particular reference to the apprehension,