Police Officer

City of Cedar Rapids; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Cedar Rapids Police Department in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking dedicated Police Officers to enforce the law, maintain public order, and safeguard lives. This role requires residing within 50 driving miles of the Police Station and moving to the residency area within three months of hire; relocation period may extend.

The department offers a structured wage scale beginning at Year 1 $34.72/hr and rising through Year 10 $51.67/hr under the Police Bargaining Union.

Qualifications

• Must be sworn police officer in good standing.
• Residency within 50 driving miles from the Police Station; move within three months of hire.
• Lateral transfers available for certified peace officers from other agencies or states.

Responsibilities

• Patrols City streets.
• Responds to calls for police assistance or service.
• Directs traffic where needed.
• Provides emergency assistance to ill or injured citizens.
• Arrests law violators; testifies in judicial proceedings.
• Maintains custody of prisoners.
• Makes reports.
• Conducts initial investigation of alleged criminal conduct.
• Maintains order in crowds.
• Advises public on laws in force.
• Enforces traffic laws, issues citations where indicated.
• Investigates suspicious persons or activities.
• Records, stores, and is responsible for evidence for future court cases, and lost items that have been found and turned in by the public.
• Attends roll-calls and training sessions.
• Performs all work duties as assigned per City policies and safety practices.

Job description

Join Our Team - Protect and Serve Your Community

Are you ready to make a real impact in your community? We're looking for dedicated individuals to join our dynamic police force and help us maintain safety and security in the City of Cedar Rapids. If you're passionate about law enforcement and committed to making a positive difference, we want to hear from you. To learn about our Police Officer selection process please review our Career Information Packet. Additional information can be found on the Cedar Rapids Police Department Employment webpage.

About our Organization

At the City, we are committed to employing individuals who reflect our community’s diverse backgrounds and this position is crucial in the success and strategic direction of a growing and evolving community. We appreciate and leverage the vast experience individuals bring beyond the technical requirements of a job. If you are an individual with similar experience listed here please consider applying. Experience and skills combined with commitment to our core values is key to building a greater community now and for the next generation.

About our Community

Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Cedar Rapids is our vibrant and diverse community known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Our city has a strong sense of community which can be seen at any of our numerous parks, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly events year round. You can also explore our thriving downtown district, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, or take a stroll along the Cedar River, which runs through the heart of the city. Cedar Rapids - Why you should live here!

About this Opportunity

Police Officers provide direct services in the enforcement of the law, maintenance of public order, control of traffic in City streets by the performance of surveillance, intervention, arrest, direction of emergency activities or a variety of related acts.

The City of Cedar Rapids does not offer sponsorship for employment authorization.

This position is subject to Policy 1.10-- Residency Requirements: Designated sworn employees are required to live in a location within 50 driving miles from the Cedar Rapids Police Station. Newly hired sworn employees are required to live within the residency area within three months from the date of employment. The department head may grant an additional three months if the employee provides documentation of financial commitment to move within the residency area.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Patrols City streets;
• Responds to calls for police assistance or service;
• Directs traffic where needed;
• Provides emergency assistance to ill or injured citizens;
• Arrests law violators; testifies in judicial proceedings;
• Maintains custody of prisoners;
• Makes reports;
• Conducts initial investigation of alleged criminal conduct;
• Maintains order in crowds;
• Advises public on laws in force;
• Enforces traffic laws, issues citations where indicated;
• Investigates suspicious persons or activities;
• Records, stores, and is responsible for evidence for future court cases, and lost items that have been found and turned in by members of the general public;
• Attends roll-calls;
• Attends training sessions;
• Other duties as assigned;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures and safety practices;
• Attends work regularly at the designated place and time;
• Supports continuous process improvement initiatives;
• Performs related work as required.

New Officer Compensation

Police Officers are covered under the Police Bargaining Union collective bargaining agreement. All new police officer hires begin employment at step 1 (minimum) of the wage scale.

• Year 1: $34.72
• Year 2: $36.15
• Year 3: $37.56
• Year 4: $39.05
• Year 5: $40.62
• Year 6: $42.27
• Year 7: $43.93
• Year 8: $45.67
• Year 9: $47.51
• Year 10: $51.67

Lateral Transfers

Certified law enforcement officers who work for another Iowa agency or who work outside the State of Iowa are accepted as lateral transfers. (To be eligible to apply as a candidate for the lateral hire program, the applicant must have been a full-time certified peace officer without a break of not more than 180 days from law enforcement service when hired by the CRPD. The hiring date will be based on the first day of actual employment with the CRPD.) Lateral transfers are hired at our pay step consistent with the total number of years of service as a Certified Peace Officer. Upon completion of the probationary period, lateral officers will begin accruing flex time at the rate corresponding to their total continuous certified years of service.

Hiring Potential

The Cedar Rapids Police Department is hiring for multiple vacancies with an anticipated start date of June 2, 2027.