Police Officer (New Recruits and Laterals) - 02/20/2026 Testing Date

Salary : $56,825.60 Annually
Location : Springfield, MO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 022026
Department: Police
Opening Date: 10/31/2025
Closing Date: 2/13/2026 11:59 PM Central

Description
This job posting is for our February 20th testing date and may qualify you for the September 2026 academy.
If you are interested in applying for a testing date on April 17th, May 15th, or June 12th for the September 2026 academy contact Faith Teycer at or call 417-864-1914.
The Springfield Police Department is seeking to hire passionate new officers to make a positive impact in the Southwest Missouri area. Our department has one of the best training programs in the area, along with an abundance of diverse specialized units to experience, and an excellent benefits package
We are looking for people who are dedicated and motivated to serve. Individuals who believe in constitutional, community-engaged policing and who are committed to protecting the rights of all people.
As a Springfield Police Recruit, you'll have received quality training through the Academy to prepare you for the position of Police Officer. After graduating the Academy, you will start off in patrol, responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service and promoting the safety of the public and of fellow police officers. You will be a proactive member of our Department, engaging in community-oriented policing, traffic enforcement, and on occasion, special detail. SPD is one of the best agencies in Missouri for specialized assignments and promotional opportunities.

Through our 6-month paid Police Academy, as a Police Recruit you will develop skills to:

• Understand and enforce the law in order to provide quality service and assist in our mission to reduce crime within the City of Springfield
• Use modern policing methods to solve problems in our community while treating people fairly and with a helpful attitude
• Hold yourself and others around you accountable using sound moral principles that earn the public trust, respect, and confidence of the community
• Effectively communicate with citizens through active listening, compassion, and empathy

As a Lateral hire, you will have a shortened 1-month academy to learn about Springfield's specific policies and procedures. Read more about our Lateral Program here
Selection Process
Applicants must successfully complete the following steps in the hiring process before being hired as a Springfield Police Recruit and go through our Police Academy. To learn about the hiring process here.

• Written Exam
• Physical Agility Test
• Interview
• Background Investigation
• Drug Screen*
• Polygraph*
• Psychological Evaluation*
• Medical Examination*

*These examinations are completed after a conditional job offer is accepted.
We offer Testing and Relocation Assistance!
Testing
To help with costs incurred from traveling to participate in entry testing, travel vouchers are provided.
Distance TraveledTravel Assistance Provided50-150 miles$50 travel voucher150 miles or more$125 travel voucher
and 1 overnight hotel accommodation
Follow-up Testing and Post Offer
During the post-offer phase of the Officer selection process, on-site testing is required such as a polygraph and psychological examination. Testing is coordinated and accommodations are made so that the least amount of travel is required of our candidates. Additional assistance is available to help with costs incurred for both Police Recruits and Lateral Officer candidates.Distance traveledTravel Assistance Provided150 miles or more$125 travel voucher per visit
and 1 overnight hotel accommodation50-150 miles$50 travel voucher per visit
Relocation
We love welcoming new Officers to our wonderful community. To make things easier, we offer relocation reimbursement. This benefit is offered to both new Recruits and Lateral Officer candidates.Distance TraveledReimbursement Amount50-150 milesUp to $1,000150-300 milesUp to $3,000300 miles or moreUp to $5,000
This application must be submitted to determine your eligibility to take the written exam. If you've read through this information and you're not ready to apply, consider getting more information by talking to a recruiter
To learn more about the Springfield Police Department follow us Instagram and Facebook.
Qualifications and Requirements

Experience, Education, and Training

Police Recruit

• Must be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D.

AND

• 21 years of age at or before being commissioned.

PREFERRED

• A degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience or education in law enforcement.
• Class A P.O.S.T. certified peace officer or currently enrolled in a Class A P.O.S.T. program.
• Military service with an honorable discharge or honorable military service in national guard or armed forces reserves.
• Three (3) years of full-time employment.

Additional Requirements

• U.S. Citizen
• Excellent physical condition
• No felony convictions
• No conviction for domestic assault
• No more than one DWI conviction; and no DWI conviction in the past three years
• May not have two (2) moving violations from separate incidents within the past twelve months, or have been at fault in more than one (1) traffic crash/accident during the past twelve (12) months
• Meet vision and hearing standards
• No objectionable tattoos and no head, face or neck tattoos.

Police Officer (Lateral) Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed above, lateral candidates must possess the following:

• A MO POST Class A license (if candidate does not possess a MO POST Class A license, but possesses law enforcement certification through another state, he/she may participate in the testing process while seeking reciprocity through MO POST)

AND

• A minimum of two (2) years full time sworn police experience in any state within the last five (5) years. Police experience must include the primary duties of responding to calls for service, conducting preliminary and/or follow-up investigations of crimes, responding to traffic accidents and apprehending, detaining and arresting suspects.

Functions

For more information on essential functions and other requirements for Police Recruit, please see the

For more information on essential functions and other requirements for Police Officer, please see the
Other Requirements

Testing & Selection Procedure Steps

1. Submit application
2. Receive email notification with instructions to schedule for written exam.
3. Schedule for written exam, February 20, 2026.
4. Bring photo ID with you on day of testing.
5. Complete the written exam and physical agility test.
   • Interviews will be scheduled immediately following the written exam for the following week
6. Attend scheduled interview.
7. Background investigation will begin.
8. Once the background investigation is completed, a conditional job offer can be made.
9. The final steps after a conditional job offer is made include a drug test, medical exam, psychological evaluation, and polygraph before the job offer is confirmed.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability and Vet
The City of Springfield promotes equal employment opportunities to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Individuals with disabilities who believe they will need an accommodation to undergo any part of the interview, examination, or pre-employment process, should request a reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act prior to the testing or appointment. Requests should be requested by contacting City of Springfield Human Resources by phone, 417-864-1607, or in person at the Municipal Busch Building, 840 Boonville Ave. Springfield, MO 65802.

Proof of United States Citizenship/Authorization to Work in the United States as established by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 is a condition of employment. We are committed to a drug-free workplace. Pre-employment drug testing is required.

All interested candidates MUST complete the City of Springfield on-line application in its entirety. The candidate profile must include all employment history with accurate and complete information prior to submission. Resumes alone will not be accepted as the application, but they may be submitted as supplemental documentation.
Find out more about City of Springfield employee benefits through the following link:
01

The following questions are specific to the position you are applying for, and must be completed accurately. The information you provide below must be reflected in the experience, education, or volunteer work provided in your application above. A response of 'see resume' will not be accepted.

• I understand.

02

Do you have a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have at least 30 college credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of active duty, national guard or armed forces reserves military experience do you possess?

• I do not have any military experience
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years or more

05

Do you possess a Missouri POST Class A certification?

• Yes
• No
• I am currently enrolled in a Law Enforcement Academy and will obtain a Missouri Post Class A certification within six months of submitting this application.

06

How many years of experience do you have as a Police Services Representative, Traffic Services Officer or 911 Dispatcher?

• I do not have any
• 1 year
• 2 years or more

07

Do you possess 3 years of expereince within the last 5 years in one of the following:

• I do not have any
• Ownership and management of a business
• Correctional or detention officer
• Professional security or private security contractor
• Professional trade industry
• Paraprofessional work

08

Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have at least 2 years of full-time, sworn police experience within the last five years, with primary duties including: responding to calls for service, conducting preliminary and/or follow-up investigations of crimes, responding to traffic accidents, and apprehending, detaining and arresting suspects?

• Yes
• No

10

Have you previously applied for the Police Recruit or Police Officer position with the Springfield Police Department?

• Yes
• No

11

Have you participated in Springfield Police Officer testing in the past (written, physical agility, or interview)?

• Yes
• No

12

Are you a U.S. Citizen?

• Yes
• No

13

Have you ever been convicted of or plead guilty to a felony offense?

• Yes
• No

14

If yes, please provide detailed information regarding the crime(s), including offense and date convicted.
15

Have you ever been convicted of or plead guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence offense?

• Yes
• No

16

If yes, please provide detailed information regarding the crime(s), including offense and date convicted.
17

Have you received a DWI, DUI, or BAC conviction within the past 3 years?

• Yes
• No

18

How many DWI, DUI, or BAC convictions have you received in your life?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3 or more

19

Have you been at fault in more than one (1) traffic crash within the past 12 months?

• Yes
• No

20

If you have ever been a Police Officer, do you have a Giglio or Brady file, or have you been questioned about your ability as a witness?

• Yes
• No
• I have never been a Police Officer

21

Do you have any face, head or neck tattoos?

• Yes
• No
• I do not have any face, head or neck tattoos

22

If you have any tattoos, please use the space below to describe each tattoo in detail, as well as where the tattoo is located. If you do not have any tattoos, please type 'N/A'.
23

For the purpose of responding to the following questions, "illegal drugs" includes the unauthorized or illegal use of prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs; it also includes the illegal use of any other substance for the purpose of getting "high."
Your responses should include - but not be limited to - your use of any of the following:

• Amphetamines/Methamphetamines (uppers, speed, crank, etc)
• Barbiturates (Downers)
• Cocaine/Crack Cocaine
• Designer Drugs (Ecstasy, Synthetic Heroin, etc)
• GHB (Date Rape Drug)
• Hallucinogens (Peyote, LSD, Mushrooms)
• Hashish/Hashish Oil
• Heroin/Opium
• Marijuana (disclose use with or without a prescription)
• Mescaline
• Morphine
• PCP/Angel Dust
• Quaaludes
• Steroids
• Tetrahydrocannabinal (THC)
• Glue, paint, or any substance containing toluene

At any point within your lifetime, have you used any drug(s) as indicated above?

• Yes
• No

24

If you answered 'YES' to the above question, give details including drug(s) used, most recent date used, and circumstances. If you answered 'NO', please enter 'N/A'.
25

In order to be invited to Police Officer testing, you may need to submit documentation showing you meet the minimum qualifications for the position, such as unofficial transcripts, DD214, Class A POST certificate, etc. Please see the job posting for the minimum qualifications. This must be sent in with your application or shortly following the submission of your application to the email address below. Any documents you will submit with your background questionnaire are separate from the documents needed here with your application. Please email your documents to faith.teycer@springfieldmo.gov .
Please choose an option below that best reflects how you will show you meet the minimum qualifications.

• I have attached all documents required that show I meet the minimum qualifications to my application.
• I will email my documents shortly after submitting my application.
• I must order my documents but will get them in as soon as possible.

26

Are you applying for our regular or lateral academy?

• Regular Academy
• Lateral Academy (I have been a Police Officer for at least 2 years in the past 5 years)

27

Were you referred by a current City employee to apply for this position?

• Yes
• No

28

If yes, please state the full name of the City employee who referred you to this position.
Required Question