Police Officer Recruit (Trainee)

Salary: $36.93 Hourly
Location : Scottsdale, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY2526-00929
Division: Uniformed Services
Department: Patrol Services
Opening Date: 05/01/2026
Closing Date: 5/28/2026 11:59 PM Arizona


Introduction
City of Scottsdale Police Officers are responsible for protecting life and property, preventing, deterring and investigating crime, enforcing laws and responding to citizen requests through the use of community policing strategies to engage and educate the community.

A Police Officer Recruit is an entry-level position prior to becoming a certified Police Officer. Participates in formal, structured training at a police academy as well as customized departmental training classes and field training program arranged by in-service trainers.
IMPORTANT: Please review the current and before submitting your application.
The starting salary for a Police Officer Recruit (Trainee) is $36.93/hour ($76,814.40/annually).
This position is part of the Police Step Pay Plan. The salary of Police Officer Recruits (Trainees) who successfully complete the police academy and promotional process will be promoted to the first step of the Police Officer Step Plan which is $38.78/hour ($80,662.40/annually) and will progress through the steps on the anniversary date of their promotion date based on performance .

For more information on the step pay program for Police Officers please visit


The application and supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process, and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state "See resume" in lieu of answering. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.
Applications for this recruitment will be reviewed weekly.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalent.
• Must be 20 years and 6 months of age at the time of application.
• Must be a United States Citizen.

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements :

• Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license with no major citations within the past 36 months prior to the start date. The Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles requires that out-of-state driver's licenses must be surrendered within 10 days of relocating to the State of Arizona.
• Obtain and maintain AZPOST Certification.
• Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.

Essential Functions
Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area within a department(s) which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:

• Performs law enforcement patrol activities.
• Operates a motor vehicle and observes and monitors the public to determine compliance/noncompliance with prescribed operating or safety standards and laws. Pursues and stops offenders, subdues resisting offenders using necessary force where appropriate, including deadly force.
• Issues citations and makes arrests; searches persons, places, and things; seizes and impounds property and evidence; transports arrested persons and property.
• Mediates disputes; performs crowd and riot control activities.
• Conducts law enforcement investigations.
• Protects crime and traffic accident scenes; conducts face to face and phone interviews; observes, gathers, records, processes, and preserves evidence; measures and diagrams crime and traffic accident scenes; prepares detailed written reports of investigative findings; performs data entry of various police activity into computerized records management system, seizes and processes evidence; presents testimony and evidence in court.
• Responds to citizen requests for assistance to fires, accidents, and crime scenes; administers first aid to sick and injured citizens for a wide variety of illnesses and injuries; assists distressed motorists and crime scene individuals; directs traffic; moves persons, vehicles, and other property.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• This is a safety-sensitive position that requires candidates to successfully pass a post-offer drug screen prior to start date.
• As part of the medical examination, candidates must successfully pass an Audiogram Test prior to start date.
• As part of the medical examination, candidates must successfully pass a Visual/Ishihara Screening Test prior to start date.
• As part of the conditional job offer, candidates must successfully pass an Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) Medical Exam prior to start date.
• As part of the conditional job offer, candidates must successfully pass a psychological evaluation.

Work Environment/Physical Demands
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position or that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Perform a multitude of tasks simultaneously or in logical and efficient succession.
• Sit for extended periods of time while driving a City vehicle.
• Physical agility to pursue offenders on foot; stop and subdue resisting offenders using necessary force where appropriate, including deadly force.
• Access paved, gravel, rough, or turf areas; climb elevations.
• Exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, inclement weather, temperature extremes, traffic hazards, body fluids, hazardous chemical, firearms, various evidence, firearms, and unpleasant odors.
• Lift and move up to 160 pounds for long distances with or without assistance.
• Physically move persons, vehicles, and other property.
• Visually distinguish full range of color spectrum.
• Use and maintain proficiency with a variety of law enforcement tools, including handguns, batons, and other weapons.
• Visual and muscular dexterity to operate a motor vehicle, computer equipment, and two-way radio maintaining constant vigilance to the surrounding area.
• Use appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) when needed/required.
• Travel to/from various locations.
• Work overtime as required.
• Work a variety of scheduled shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Click here to view the full job description.

For more information about Scottsdale, Arizona, visit our About Scottsdale site.

BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 12 Paid Holidays, which includes 1 Floating Holiday
• Vacation Accrual; starts at 10.3 hours/month
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Medical (which includes behavioral health coverage), Dental and Vision Benefits
• City Paid Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times employee annual salary); option of Supplemental Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement; $2,500/year
• Participation in the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS)
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457
• Pet Insurance
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) pay compensation
• Employer contribution of $10 per pay period to employee's PEHP (Post-Employment Health Plan) account

Please visit the Benefits Information page for more information.

Selection Process:
Applicants who meet minimum qualifications for this position may be invited to participate in a selection process to include a background investigation, physical and written exam, and an oral board interview. Please note: Written exam will not be required for applicants with at least 60 college credits or a degree.

For more information on the selection process, please click to be taken to the Scottsdale Police Department's website.

Final selection is contingent upon a background check which includes:

• Fingerprinting
• Criminal background screening
• Motor Vehicle Department Records Check
• Polygraph

Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment drug test, pre-employment Arizona POST medical exam and psychological evaluation. The timeframe for reapplication with the Police Department varies based on the position and the needs of the organization.

Please Note:

• Be sure to check your email junk/spam folders regularly for possible notifications and/or self-schedule interview invitations from Governmentjobs.

The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY : It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for an "otherwise qualified applicant" with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting HR Receptionist at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Requests should be made 24 hours in advance or as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TTY users, the Arizona Relay Service View phone number on click.appcast.io) may contact HR Receptionist at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.
Full-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday and medical leave as well as insurance for medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability insurance. For a more detailed overview of the employee benefits,


Part-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers paid medical leave for part-time staff.

Commute Solutions Program
City of Scottsdale provides free Valley Metro Platinum passes to employees for the bus and light rail systems when commuting; a vanpool subsidy is also available. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear & tear on their vehicle, and help the environment all at the same time.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
The City of Scottsdale is considered a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). You may find more information about the PSFL program by going to the Federal Student Aid website by clicking
01


A high school diploma/GED is required for this position. Do you have a high school diploma / GED?

• Yes
• No

02


This position requires an applicant to be a US Citizen to be eligible. Are you a United States Citizen?

• Yes
• No

03


This position requires an applicant to be at least 20 years and 6 months at the time of application. Are you at least 20 years and 6 months old?

• Yes
• No

04


Please indicate which best describes your education. Note: You will be required to provide proof of degree/credits during the selection process.

• High School / GED or Equivalent
• At least 60 College Credits
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or Higher
• None of the above

05


Do you have a valid driver's license (not expired or suspended/revoked)?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have any of the following restrictions on your driver's license? Please note that this does not include vision correction.

• Interlock Device
• Court Mandated Restricted Hours
• Other Non-Medical Restriction(s)
• I have no restrictions on my driver's license

07


How did you learn about this job opportunity with the Scottsdale Police Department?

• City Web Page
• Scottsdale Police Web Page
• Social Media
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• CareersinGovernment.com
• Career Builder
• Indeed.com
• Jobing.com
• 911hotjobs.com
• Blue Line
• Policeone.com
• LawEnforcementJobs.com
• Radio ad*
• Newspaper/other ad*
• Job Fair (In-Person/Virtual)*
• Friend/Neighbor*
• City / SPD Employee*
• Handshake
• Email
• Recruitment Booth* (please list the recruitment event/location in the next question)
• Other

08


Which best describes your experience in applying for a position with the Scottsdale Police Department?

• No Experience
• Submitted Application
• Tested and/or Interviewed
• Submitted Background Packet

09


If you answered Other or any other option with an asterisk, please provide more detail.
10


After you review the grooming standards (link was provided on the job posting), answer the following:
I understand that, if employed by the Scottsdale Police Department as a Police Officer, I would need to conform to these grooming standards.

• Yes
• No

11


I understand that any communication for this recruitment may come via an email from governmentjobs.com and I will check my email junk/spam folders regularly for possible notifications and/or self-schedule interview invitations.

• Yes
• No

Required Question