Lateral Hire Program

All candidates for the position of Police Officer wanting to attend the Lateral Program must meet the following minimum qualifications in order to apply:

  • be a U.S. citizen
  • be at least 21 years of age at commission
  • be in excellent physical condition
  • no felony convictions
  • may not have a DWI within the past three years
  • may not have three moving violations from separate incidents or be at fault in more than two accidents in the past 18 months
  • meet vision and hearing standards
  • no objectionable tattoos and no visible tattoos in a short sleeve uniform shirt
  • may not have used a controlled substance illegally within the last three years
  • currently certified as a law enforcement officer in the state of Missouri with a Missouri P.O.S.T. Class A Peace Officer License (A license may be obtained through testing. Check here for more information about a Missouri P.O.S.T. license or call 573-751-4905.)
  • have at least two years full-time sworn police experience in any state. Primary duties must include responding to calls for service, conducting preliminary and/or follow-up investigations of crimes, responding to traffic accidents, and apprehending, detaining and arresting suspects.

The testing and selection procedure includes the following elements: a physical agility test, written exam, an oral interview, background investigation, polygraph examination, pre-employment drug testing, post-offer medical examination and psychological evaluation.

Physical agility testing (same as the final physical agility test for the Police Academy) shall include but not be limited to the following events:

  • 25 push-ups (no time limit)
  • 35 sit-ups in one minute
  • Minimum vertical jump of 14 inches
  • 300 meter run in a maximum time of 69 seconds
  • 1½ mile run in a maximum time of 14:43
  • Bench press 73% of your body weight

Physical agility events and standards are reviewed periodically and may be modified as deemed appropriate and without prior notice. Application screening of each candidate will be done prior to physical agility testing to determine eligibility into the Lateral Hire Program.

Applicants must pass every phase of the testing and selection process in order to be considered eligible for appointment to the Lateral Hire Program. Lateral Hire candidates not meeting the physical agility standards for the Lateral Hire Program may opt to be considered for the regular academy if they meet the physical agility standards for the regular six-month police academy. Candidates who attend the regular police academy will receive entry-level pay ($32,510.40-step 1).

Failure of any phase will result in disqualification from further consideration and testing for the position of Police Officer.

You will be placed on a pay scale according to prior full-time law enforcement experience to be determined by the Human Resources Department through the screening process:

At least 2 years experience $34,195.20 (step 2)
At least 3 years experience $35,942.20 (step 3)
At least 4 years experience $37,398.40 (step 4)
At least 5 years experience $38,500.80 (step 5)
At least 6 years experience $40,185.60 (step 6)
At least 7 years experience $41,974.40 (step 7)
At least 8 years experience or more $44,075.20 (step 8)

Exact dates for testing and selection are determined each year. Testing schedules are reviewed periodically and may be modified as deemed appropriate and without prior notice. Applications received after November 7, 2008, will automatically be considered for the next testing date.

Testing Schedule
    
 
Program #3 Option 1
Program #3 Option 2
Informational Seminar-South District Station
09/30/08 at 8 p.m.
01/27/08 at 8 p.m.
Accepting Applications for this Testing
07/26/08-11/07/08
11/08/08-02/27/09
Application Deadline for Testing Purposes
11/07/08 at 5 p.m.
02/27/09 at 5 p.m.
Schedule Testing
10/27/08-11/14/08
02/15/09-03/06/09
Physical Agility and Written Exams
11/23/08
03/15/09
Written Exam Scores to Candidates
11/23/08
03/15/09
Schedule Interviews
11/23/08
03/15/09
Oral Boards/Turn in Background Packet
11/23/08-12/05/08
03/15/09-03/27/09
Interview Scores to Candidates
Week of 12/08/08
Week of 03/30/09
Background Investigations
12/08/08-05/01/09
03/30/09-05/30/09
Employment Offers
May 2009
May 2009
Post-Offer Exams
June 2009
June 2009
Final Notices
July 2009
July 2009
First Day of the Lateral Program (Hire Date)
Aug 2009 (tentative)
Aug 2009 (tentative)
Graduation
Sep 2009 (tentative)
Sep 2009 (tentative)

 

If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are interested in participating in the next selection process, please contact the City of Springfield Human Resources Department at 417-864-1607 for an application, print an application and complete it, or you may complete an application online. All applications must be received by the application deadline. Please read and retain this information for your use.

If you have any questions regarding the testing and selection process for Police Officer, please contact the Recruiting Officer at 417-864-1796 or by e-mail at ResourceManagement@springfieldmo.gov.

We appreciate your interest in serving the citizens of Springfield.