Entry Level Police Officer

Cityofmarion; Marion (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Marion Police Department is seeking a Police Officer to perform patrol, investigation, and enforcement duties to protect life and property in Marion, IA. You will prepare detailed reports, serve warrants, and coordinate with the County Attorney’s Office on prosecutions.

You may testify in court and assist at public events as needed. This role requires a citizen of the United States, Iowa residency, a high school diploma, and certification to be a law enforcement officer within 365

Qualifications

• Must be United States citizen and Iowa resident or intent to become resident.
• 18 years of age on hire date; valid Iowa driver’s license.
• Meets minimum hiring standards per Iowa code; police officer certification or within 365 days.
• High school diploma required; AA degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas by car or foot to preserve law and order and enforce laws.
• Respond to calls; investigate incidents; prepare reports and case information.
• Conduct investigations; interview victims, witnesses and suspects; collect evidence.
• Coordinate with County Attorney’s Office on criminal complaints; file warrants.
• Testify in court; perform traffic control and security at events; assist in duties as needed.

Skills

Report writing

Interviews & interrogations

Patrol & law enforcement

Defensive driving

Public liaison

Emergency response

Education

High school diploma

AA degree preferred

Tools

Firearms handling

Criminal investigation equipment

Job description

Submissions Due: Friday, September 25 at 5 p.m.

Testing Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 8 a.m.

Testing Location: Marion Police Department, 6315 Highway 151, Marion, IA 52302

Interview Date: Afternoon of Wednesday, October 14, 2026,

Interview Location: Marion Police Department, 6315 Highway 151, Marion, IA 52302

Candidates who pass the Written/Physical Tests will be invited to participate in an interview on October 14, 2026. Virtual interviews may be an option for those that must travel over an hour to Marion.

Please review the following position packet: POLICE OFFICER PACKET

JOB INFORMATION

Job Title: Police Officer

Civil Service: Yes

Department: Police

Bargaining Unit: MPPA

Reports to Position: Shift Supervisor

Pay Grade: Per contract

Location: Police Department

Overtime Status: Paid Overtime

Effect. Date: 04/01/18

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

Police officers perform the line function of the police department including a wide variety of duties involving the enforcement of laws and prevention of crimes. Provides support and assistance to special crime prevention and law enforcement programs. Performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of law enforcement services and activities.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES/WORK PERFORMED

• Patrol designated areas of the City of Marion by car, foot or other means to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes and enforce traffic as well as other laws and ordinances; protect real and personal property by providing security checks of residential, business and public premises; maintain awareness of and remains alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators and crimes in progress; issue warnings and citations and makes arrests.
• Respond to calls for the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, general public service and complaints including those involving automobile accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, property control, civil complaints and related incidents; investigate complaints and take appropriate action, which may include the use of deadly or non-deadly force; use sound judgment under adverse, stressful conditions.
• Conduct investigations at incident scenes; determine what, if any, crime has been committed; identify, collect, preserve, process and book evidence; locate and interview victims and witnesses; identify and interrogate suspects.
• Work in partnership with the County Attorney's Office to obtain and file criminal complaints on arrested subjects.
• Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants; apprehend and arrest offenders for crimes committed under federal, state and local laws and codes; control and mitigate people under the influence of drugs or alcohol or other potentially hostile situations.
• Serve as liaison and public relations officer to the public; establish and preserve good relationships with the general public; answer questions from the public concerning local and state laws, procedures and activities of the department; make presentations before a variety of public groups to promote crime prevention activities and to enhance public understanding of police activities.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses; may respond to requests for assistance from agencies outside the city for mutual aid in the suppression of civil disturbances, apprehension of criminals or other related requests.
• Participate in continuous training to enhance law enforcement skills including firearms proficiency, defensive driving skills, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills and general law enforcement skills.
• Perform a variety of administrative and other types of duties in support of law enforcement services, programs, and activities; attend meetings; maintain and calibrate specialized equipment and devices.
• Initiate and complete reports, legal documents and other required paperwork; prepare a variety of reports including those on activities, operations, arrests made and incidents observed; prepare investigative reports and case information.
• Testify in courts and at hearings; prepare and present case evidence; respond to mandatory court calls during irregular hours.
• Direct traffic at fires, special events and other emergency situations; provide traffic and crowd control at events; provide security at City Council meetings and other city functions as needed.
• Enforce parking regulations, issue citations and tow vehicles that are in violation of codes.
• When assigned as a field training officer, train new police officers, document trainee progress and prepare evaluations.
• When assigned as school resource officer, serve as a law enforcement officer, law related counselor and law related instructor at assigned school; create a positive role model for students; serve as liaison between students and law enforcement; investigate crimes that occur within the school and on school property; provide information and assistance to school staff and administration, parents and students regarding law enforcement and community problems; make group presentations; attend committee meetings; maintain program statistics and reports.
• Communicate effectively over law enforcement radio channels and technological devices while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Receive, review and analyze reports and case information on law enforcement activities requiring special and detailed investigations.
• Coordinate and conduct complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property including child and elder abuse claims, homicides, rape and assaults with deadly weapons and crimes involving vice, gaming and narcotics violations; follow cases from reporting, to arrest, to prosecution.
• Contact, interview and interrogate victims, complainants, witnesses, suspects and others involved in cases and incidents; obtain statements, documents and factual and physical evidence.
• Collect, preserve, maintain and book evidence and recovered property found that is involved with suspected crimes.
• Hold stakeouts, perform undercover activities, conduct surveillance activities and other observation assignments.
• Prepare investigative reports and case information; recommend disposition of cases with legal authorities.
• Review information and evidence obtained for presentation in court cases; testify in court concerning evidence and facts gathered during the investigative process.
• Remain on call during stipulated time periods to respond to incidents that could require major investigative follow-up and criminal identification work at the scene of the incident.
• Perform related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of the geographies of the City of Marion and surrounding areas.
• Knowledge of criminal and traffic laws and ordinances and their proper application.
• Knowledge of police department policies, rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of criminal court procedures.
• Knowledge of social service agencies and the services they provide.
• Ability to write clear and comprehensive reports.
• Ability to obtain information through observations, interviews and interrogations.
• Ability to detect or be aware of different odors to assist in establishing probable cause in law violations such as driving while under the influence of alcohol.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and the general public.
• Ability to understand and execute oral and written directions.
• Skill in the care and safe use of firearms.
• Skill in traffic direction.
• Skill in defensive and pursuit driving techniques.
• Skill in the use of control and self-defense police tools.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Please see Essential Functions and Physical Abilities document.

QUALIFICATIONS

• United States Citizen and resident of Iowa or intends to become a resident of Iowa upon hire.
• 18 years of age upon date of hire.
• Meets minimum hiring standards as outlined in Iowa Administrative Code 501.
• Must be certified law enforcement officer or become a certified law enforcement officer with 365 days of hire.
• High school diploma required, AA degree preferred.
• Successful completion of probationary period (one year) required.
• Candidate must have valid Iowa driver's license upon date of hire.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• 24/7 on-call commitment
• May be assigned to patrol or investigative functions

REQUIRED BACKGROUND CHECKS

• Sex Offender Registry
• Criminal Background Check
• Drug Screening
• Driving Record
• Credit Check
• Pre-Employment Physical
• Polygraph