POLICE OFFICER - SPRING 2027

City of Davenport, IA; Davenport (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation incentives

Total compensation information

Job summary

Davenport Police Department seeks motivated, ethical officers ready to serve a community-focused department with integrity. You will patrol, respond to emergencies, and enforce laws while engaging with residents respectfully.

Applicants must meet age, citizenship, and education requirements, pass a background check and polygraph, and be able to operate firearms and vehicles safely. Residency within 20 miles is required.

Qualifications

• 21 years of age at the time of list certification (April 14, 2027)
• High school diploma or GED
• United States Citizen at the time of the written examination

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned areas to prevent crime and enforce laws.
• Responds to emergency calls and secures scenes.
• Directs traffic and aids in accident or event control.
• Writes detailed incident reports for future reference or prosecution.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Bilingual (preferred)

Firearms handling

Driving / vehicle operation

Calm under pressure

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

At the Davenport Police Department, you’ll find more than a career—you’ll find purpose, opportunity, and a chance to make a lasting difference. As part of a community-centered, forward-thinking department, you’ll serve with pride, grow professionally, and help shape the future of the largest Quad Cities community.

Great police departments are built on people who bring different strengths, perspectives, and experiences to the job. We believe that diversity makes us stronger. Whether you come from a unique background, have specialized skills, or bring a personality that sets you apart, there’s a place for you here. No two officers are exactly alike, and that’s what makes us great. We do things differently at Davenport PD—and we think you’re going to love it!

The City of Davenport Police Department is seekinghighly motivated, ethical, and community-minded individuals who are ready to take on a meaningful challenge. Under general supervision, officers perform a variety of law enforcement duties, including maintaining public order, protecting life and property, preventing crime, and serving the community with professionalism and integrity.

Patrols assigned areas for the prevention of crime and enforcement of laws and ordinances: drives vehicle or walks to cover assigned beat and make police presence evident; observes activities and environment, and keeps alert to suspicious occurrences; maintains radio contact with central communications and reports conditions in assigned beat; advises and assists public as necessary.
Responds to emergency calls and acts to resolve emergency situations: notes location of difficulty and type of call; proceeds to scene with dispatch, observing traffic conditions and sounding siren; takes control of emergency site, directing traffic, securing scene and assisting medical personnel when injuries are involved; establishes communications between emergency scene and central communications.
Monitors traffic conditions and enforces traffic laws: observes driving behavior and measures vehicle speed to detect violations of traffic laws; stops vehicles for traffic violations and issues citations; ensures that parking regulations are enforced, especially during snow removal, at fire hydrants and in prohibited areas; directs traffic for special events, accidents and detours.
Writes detailed incident reports utilizing computer to make a record of events, conditions, time and persons involved: makes careful notes of all details important for future reference or prosecution; takes names and addresses of involved persons; observes time, sequence of events, measurements and weather conditions in vehicular accidents; completes forms legibly and thoroughly.
Stops fights and attempts to mediate arguments and disputes which threaten violence: physically restrains persons involved in violent attacks or brawls; secures vicinity of persons threatening violence to self or others; talks to parties involved in home disputes in an attempt to reconcile differences.
Apprehends and arrests suspects in crimes: takes custody of persons involved in crimes or wanted in connection with criminal activities; physically subdues resistant persons with force necessary to control them; orders detention for suspects until procedures for arraignment can be completed.
May assist in investigation of crime scenes, interrogation of suspects, interviewing of witnesses, securing of evidence, serving of legal papers and testimony in court.

• 21 years of age at the time of list certification (April 14, 2027)
• High school diploma or GED
• You must be a United States Citizen at the time of the written examination

Additional requirements:

• Applicant must be able to pass an extensive background check and submit to a polygraph test. Must have ability to perform the core functions of the position
• Uncorrected vision of not less than 20-100 in each eye, corrected to 20-20 in each eye, normal color vision
• Normal hearing
• Ability to speak clearly and communicate well
• Ability to develop a facility in operating firearms
• Ability to operate motor vehicles safely
• Appointees will be required to adhere to Professional Standards set forth by the Davenport Police Department addressing the display of tattoos. Officers and employees may not appear on duty or in uniform with any visible facial, head, or neck tattoos. No tattoos will be permitted below the wrist with the exception of a single ring tattoo (one per hand). Exceptions may be granted by the Chief of Police
• Prior to receiving an offer of employment, selected applicants will be required to retake and pass the physical ability test. Failure to complete this will result in disqualification from the process or removal from the certified list
• Skill in dealing with others in a courteous and fair manner, as well as the ability to enforce laws and ordinances with firmness and tact
• Bilingual applicants desired.

Important testing and selection process information is included in the Police Information Packet which can be accessed by clicking the following link Police Information Packet or downloading from the City of Davenport website.

Residency:

Residency must be established within 20 miles of the corporate city limits of Davenport, and can include within the State of Illinois. Click on the Residency Map for further information.

DPD Total Compensation:

Click the Total Compensation document to view the salary and benefits breakdown for officers beginning July 1, 2026.

Lateral Hiring Program:

Full-time certified Police Officers will receive starting pay commensurate with his/her sworn and certified law enforcement experience, as well as a bank of sick and vacation leave. Details can be accessed by clicking the following link Lateral Hiring Program.

3-5 Years of Certification:

Total Rewards

5-7 Years of Certification:

Total Rewards

Municipal Fire & Police Retirement System of Iowa (MFPRSI):

Retirement benefits flyer.

Special Relocation Incentives:

• Home Base Iowa Community (*for veterans purchasing a home only)
• $5,000 tax credit through the State of Iowa (Payable at closing)
• $1,500 closing costs reimbursement from Scott County
• $1,500 closing costs reimbursement from City of Davenport

Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA):

Hired Police Officers will attend the sixteen (16) week police academy which commences on May 3, 2027. Employment start date would be April 26, 2027.

Good Knowledge of:

• The purpose of law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
• Law enforcement procedures, practices and equipment.
• Applicable city, state and federal law.

Considerable Skill in:

• Obtaining valid information by interview and interrogation.
• Reacting quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Using physical strength to restrain, lift, carry and pursue.

Working Skill in:

• Using firearms and operating motor vehicles properly and within established guidelines.
• Using good judgment in evaluation situations and making decisions.
• Observing facts and situations analytically and objectively and recording them clearly and completely.
• Expressing oneself clearly orally and in writing.
• Handling situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and impartially.
• Understanding and carrying out oral and written instructions.
• Gathering, assembling, analyzing and evaluating evidence; and drawing sound conclusions.