Police Officer Recruit

City of Mesa; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Mesa is seeking Police Officer Recruits to join its Police Department. This position offers comprehensive training at the Academy, followed by hands-on field experience. Candidates must meet specific qualifications and are subject to rigorous fitness and background tests. Graduates will enjoy competitive salary, benefits, and incentives for higher education.

Benefits

Hiring bonus upon completion of training

Incentives for higher education

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old by graduation from the Police Academy.
• Possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire date.
• Successful completion of background investigations and polygraph is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Attend the Mesa Police Department Academy to learn entry-level law enforcement duties.
• Perform related duties including maintaining public order and conducting investigations.
• Act independently under supervision for patrol activities post-training.

Skills

Problem Solving

Physical Fitness

Judgment

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

College-level courses in Criminal Justice

Job description

Join Mesa PD!

The City of Mesa is excited to offer a hiring bonus for individuals hired as a Police Officer Recruit! $1,750 will be paid after 30 days of hire (or promotion to the Police Officer Recruit classification) and $1,750 will be paid upon completion of the Field Training Program. Additionally, Police Officer Recruits hired with a Bachelor's Degree will receive a $500 incentive upon completion of the field training officer program, or Police Officer Recruits hired with a Master's Degree will receive a $1,000 incentive upon completion of the field training officer program.

Notifications, reminders, and invitations are primarily sent via email. Please make sure the email address on your application is valid and checked frequently. Be sure to check your junk/spam folders for communications as well.

*In order to be considered for the current recruitment, you must complete the online job application before the posting closes at 11:59 pm on June 30, 2025.

Job Announcement (Please read for important testing information)

Please review and print the Job Announcement document for additional information related to minimum qualifications and requirements, as well as the full testing and hiring process.

The Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT) will be utilized for the fitness test portion of the recruitment process. The POPAT will be administered during the background process once you've successfully completed the Written Exercise through National Testing Network (NTN). For the POPAT scoring matrix visit the link below:

POPAT Scoring Matrix

A Police Officer Recruit attends the Mesa Police Department Academy to learn and perform the responsibilities of an entry-level Arizona peace officer, which include interacting with a culturally and socially diverse population, employing discretion in solving problems, maintaining public order, preventing crime, enforcing laws and ordinances, conducting investigations, making arrests, issuing summonses/citations and warnings, and assisting the public. Upon successful completion of academy instruction, the incumbent receives further training in the Field Officer Training Program. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required. This is a trainee class for protective service work in the Police Department. An employee in this class receives academy instruction and field training in the areas of patrol methods, causes of criminality, courtroom procedures, fingerprinting, community relations, and other law enforcement topics to prepare for appointment to the position of Police Officer. Upon successful completion of training, an incumbent performs law enforcement patrol activities in a designated area of the City. Duties performed may involve an element of personal danger, and the employee must take action without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies. Work assignments are made by a Police Sergeant or other superior; and work methods and results are checked through personal inspections, and review of reports and discussions. Work requires occasional physical exertion under adverse circumstances. An employee in this class is subject to rotating shifts, weekend, and holiday work. After successful completion of academy instruction and field training, a Police Officer Recruit is promoted to the class of Police Officer. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.

Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required.Graduation from high school or GED.

Age: At least 21 years of age by graduation from the Police Academy.

Vision: As outlined by Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST), if vision is uncorrected at 20/80 or better, and can be corrected to 20/20 by use of glasses or hard contacts, it is acceptable. If vision is uncorrected at 20/200, it must be corrected to 20/20 with soft contacts. Vision is also acceptable if it is 20/20 uncorrected, 20/20 or better corrected by glasses, or 20/80 corrected with glasses. An eye examination by an optometrist of the City's choice will be required prior to appointment. Radial Keratotomy may be accepted once visual acuity is stabilized.

License: Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date.

Citizenship: Applicants must be a United States citizen.

Special Requirements. Because of the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph is required. Must meet the qualifications to wear a tight-fitting respirator by passing a medical evaluation in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134 by hire date and must maintain certification. Candidates given a conditional job offer will be required to pass a pre-employment medical physical, psychological test battery, and drug screening.

Substance Abuse Testing. Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment/pre-placement and random alcohol, drug, and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures.

Preferred/Desirable Qualification.Completion of college-level courses in criminal justice.

http://apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4229.pdf