Being a Columbia Police Department Officer is answering a call that is greater than oneself. It is a unique opportunity to take care of our community members and keep them safe.
Columbia is consistently ranked as one of America’s top 30 cities to live in because of its low cost of living, low crime rate, and the education level of the community. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Columbia had an estimated 2022 population of 128,555 people, and it continues to grow!
The city has three major hospitals, an outstanding public school system, and multiple state and city parks. There are several higher education opportunities including the University of Missouri, Columbia College, and Stephens College, as well as satellite campuses including Bryan College, Central Methodist University, Moberly Area Community College, and William Woods University.
These factors combined make the City of Columbia the best place to live, learn, work, and play!
How to become a police officer
Do not send application materials to the Columbia Police Department!
To be considered for a Police Officer position with the Columbia Police Department, please submit the following to the City of Columbia Human Resources Department via the City’s job website.
- Create a City of Columbia account (employment) through the City of Columbia Human Resources.
- Complete an online application by clicking here.
- Upon submission of a completed application and resume, the City of Columbia Human Resources Department will email you a “City of Columbia Missouri Police Officer Testing: Frequently Asked Questions” document regarding our online testing requirement, and you will also receive an email from opens in a new windowonlinetesting@invitations.
testgenius.comcreate new email - A test score of 81 is required to be considered for an interview before our Police Interview Board. The Board consists of representatives from the police and human resources departments.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to read all instructions carefully and ensure that all documents are completed as directed and submitted to the City of Columbia Human Resources Department before established deadlines.
Columbia Police Department
- Has an authorized force of 193 officers and 61 professional support staff.
- Sworn officers on patrol work a 12-hour day schedule.
- Two squads with two shifts per squad.
- The Department has an authorized annual budget of approximately $33.7 million in FY 2024.
- Specialized areas include Criminal Investigations Division, Domestic Violence Enforcement (DOVE) Unit, K-9 Unit, Vice Narcotics Organized Crime (VNOC) Unit, Street Crimes Unit, Community Outreach Unit, Internal Affairs Unit, Traffic Unit, and Training and Recruiting Unit.
Salary
| FREQUENCY | MINIMUM |
|---|---|
| Annual | $60,008.00 |
| Hourly | $28.85 |
The current shift differential is $1 per hour from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. A clothing allowance for plainclothes assignments is provided.
Police Officers hired with full-time law enforcement experience or military service that consists of law-and-order operations that are substantially similar to the duties of a Columbia Police Officer will make a lateral entry into the compensation plan based on their years of service up to ten years. The final determination on lateral entry pay will be made by the Police Chief or designee.
Retirement package
Officers may retire at 25 years of service at 50% of their highest three-year average. Every year worked after 25 years is an additional 2% per year. Benefits from the plan are in addition to your benefits from Social Security and supplemental deferred compensation plans.
Educational assistance
Columbia police officers can participate in a tuition reimbursement program.
Benefits
- Paid tuition at the Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETI) and getting paid time while attending.
- Uniforms and equipment; handgun, duty gear, ballistic vest, etc. valued at more than $8,000 per officer.
- Dry cleaning of uniforms.
- Two weeks’ vacation per year (3.08 hours per pay period) for the first four years. Increased by 2.5 days every five years through the 20th year.
- Ten set holidays and four floating holidays per fiscal year.
- Accumulated sick leave (18 days per year), no maximum accrual.
- Sick leave buyback: at the end of the fiscal year, you may sell accrued unused sick leave hours in excess of the number of hours normally worked in a 26-week period (1,040 hours) back to the City. The City will pay you 25% (CPOA) or 50% (non-CPOA) of your hourly rate for each hour sold back.
- After successful completion of a probationary period, become qualified for off-duty/secondary employment opportunities.
- Group insurance plans for primary care, major medical, specialty, prescriptions, vision, dental, long-term disability, and life insurance.
Eligibility
Candidates must:
- Be at least 21 years of age by completion of Missouri POST Certification.
- Have a minimum education of a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Be eligible to receive a Missouri POST Certification (Class A Peace Officer License).
- Not have any serious criminal record entries.
- Maintain a valid Missouri driver’s license and safe driving record.
- Maintain CPR certification.
- Have an excellent work history and attendance record.
Eligible candidates must:
- Pass a written examination.
- Pass a drug test.
- Pass a psychological test.
- Pass a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer test.
- Pass a medical physical.
- Become POST certified as eligible for employment as a peace officer by the State of Missouri within six months of employment.
Contact
For further information, please contact:
Training and Recruiting Unit
573-817-5015
or
Human Resources
573-874-7530
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