Police Officer - Lateral Entry

City Of Chardon; Chardon (OH); On-site; USD 56,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Chardon seeks qualified police officers to join its department. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, at least 21, and OPOTA certified or certifiable.

A valid license with fewest points and eligibility for state retirement are required. Salary progresses through steps with defined hourly rates; openings exist with anticipated growth in 2027. Seniority is based on date of hire; lateral officers receive vacation accrual at hire and after two years, with standard increases over time.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizens only.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• OPOTA certified or certifiable.
• Valid driver’s license with ≤4 BMV points.
• Eligible for Ohio Police & Fire Retirement System.
• 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time police experience with Ohio subdivision.
• Not separated for disciplinary reasons.
• Must pass physical agility test approved by the Commission.

Responsibilities

• Complete in-person interview and background investigation.
• Salary progression after six-month and eighteen-month reviews.

Job description

Qualifications

• Applicant must be citizens of the United States;
• Must be at least 21 years of age;
• Must be Ohio Peace Officer Training Council certified (OPOTA), or certifiable;
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with no more than four (4) BMV points assessed;
• Must meet qualifications for eligibility for participation in the Ohio Police & Fire Retirement System;
• Must have been previously employed with an Ohio Political subdivision as a full-time or part-time police officer, with 3 years full-time experience or equivalent service time as a part-time officer;
• Must not have separated from a current or prior law enforcement position because of a disciplinary issue, or to avoid a disciplinary action.
• Must successfully complete a physical agility test approved by the Commission prior to appointment.

Special Requirements

Candidates will be required to successfully complete in-person interview examination and background investigation, which may include polygraph examination, psychological screening, medical examination, and drug screening.

Seniority will be based on date of hire with the City of Chardon. Lateral police officers will be credited with 80 hours of vacation upon hire, increased to 120 hours after two years’ service; subsequent increases will follow the vacation schedule as agreed upon in the CBA with OPBA.

Category Full-Time Status Open One immediate opening. Another is anticipated in early 2027. Salary Successful lateral appointees will receive compensation at the rate of Step 3 Patrol, (Currently, $40.36/hr.). Upon successful six-month review employee with be accelerated to Step 4, (Currently, 42.48/hr.) and subsequently to step 5, (Currently, $44.72/hr.), upon successful completion or an eighteen-month review Posted October 14, 2026 5:00 PM Closing November 9, 2026 5:00 PM

The City of Chardon is an Equal Opportunity Employer