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Career Opportunities

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department is a progressive agency serving one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the region. The cornerstones of that service are transparency, integrity, engagement and safety. If you are passionate about serving the community and shaping the future of law enforcement, a career with the KCKPD may be for you. A career with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department offers challenge, excitement, variety, teamwork and job satisfaction. Plus, it offers excellent salary and benefits.

Explore the many different ways that you can become a member of a premier law enforcement agency.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications for New Officers:

Must be at least 21 yrs. old by academy start date (There is no upper age limit.)
Valid driver’s license and birth certificate
High school diploma/GED
No felony convictions
Compliance with KCKPD tattoo policy
Has been honorably discharged if previous military service (must provide DD-214 long form)
Ability to pass a psychological and physical exam and background check
Shows integrity and good moral character

Starting Pay

Auxiliary Officer*: $4,149.60/month

Recruit Patrol Officer: $4,167.70/month

Lateral Officer: $5,320.38/month

*While waiting for a class to commence, an applicant may be hired as an Auxiliary Officer in order to familiarize the individual with the day-today operations of a police department and learn valuable skills that will prepare them for the Academy and their career in law enforcement.

Laterals

The KCKPD welcomes and values experienced officers as part of lateral officer recruitment. Our team makes every effort to ensure that the hiring and onboarding processes for lateral police officers are smooth and easy to navigate.

Lateral Officer Requirements

Original law enforcement certificate
Three years of patrol experience
Must be willing to relocate to Wyandotte County within one year

While those working in security, corrections, military police, etc., do not qualify as a lateral, they are encouraged to apply. Lateral candidates participate in an abbreviated academy.

A history of ethical and moral behavior is of the utmost importance for all applicants. Previous felony conviction or a history of lesser crimes are cause for disqualification. Your background will be investigated thoroughly.

Components of the Hiring Process

Unlike most jobs, becoming a law enforcement officer involves far more than completing an application and interview. Agencies run their applicants through a comprehensive series of tests and exams, each designed to narrow the field of applicants to advance only those who are most qualified.

Here is an overview of the process:

Submit an Application

Physical Agility Testing

Take the Written Test

Participate Oral Board: Panel Interviews

Background Investigation

Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA)

If the applicant successfully passes these steps, they will be extended an offer of employment, conditional on their successful completion of the following Fitness for Duty Examinations:

Physical
Psychological
Medical
Drug Screen

If an applicant passes these final steps, they will be extended an official offer of employment.

Professional/Civilian Careers

It takes a dedicated and talented team of professionals to support the work of our law enforcement officers. We employ roughly 100 civilian professionals for a variety of communications, technology, administrative and clerical positions that are integral to the operation of our department. A complete list of open positions and details on how to apply can be found by visiting the Unified Government Human Resources home page here.