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Take The Challenge!

Become A Columbia Police Officer

• Watch a Video!
• Human Resource Information
• Employment Applications

Columbia has consistently ranked in the top 20 cities in America to live because of the low cost of living, low crime rate, and education level of the community.

Population 90,967

Home to the University of Missouri, Columbia College and Stephens College.

Five major hospitals, an outstanding public school system and state and city parks abound.

Police Department

• Annual 16.5 million dollar budget
• 149 sworn officers
• 34 Civilian personnel
• Officers work a four day week of eight hour shifts.
• Specialized areas include the Major Crimes Unit, Domestic Violence Enforcement Unit, the Traffic Unit, Crime Prevention Unit and K9 Unit.

Salary Range:

*Includes equipment allowance

Current shift differential is 65 cents per hour for evening and night shifts.  Clothing allowance for plain clothes assignments is 44 cents per hour.

Career Development Program

Retirement Package

Officers may retire at 20 years of service at 60% of their highest three year average.  Officers who retire at 25 years of service will receive 70 percent of their highest three year average.  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

• Professionally tailored uniforms provided
• Equipment (handgun, leather, etc.) provided
• Dry cleaning paid for
• Minimum three hour minimum overtime call out
• Ten days vacation per year.  Increases with tenure.
• Ten holidays per year
• Up to six emergency leave days per year
• Accumulated sick leave (18 days per year) No maximum accrual.
• Educational incentive program
• Shift differential
• Sick leave buyback
• 3 percent deferred compensation match

Eligibility:

Candidates must:

• Be at least 21 years of age by hire date
• Have 60 hours college course work from an accredited institution
• Possess/maintain valid driver's license/excellent driving record
• No serious criminal record
• Excellent work history and attendance record
• Officers must reside in within a 30 mile straight line radius of the city of Columbia and be eligible to work in the United States

Step one:

Contact the City of Columbia Human Resources Department and obtain an application.  Fill it out and return it to them.  Applicants must attach a one page hand printed statement which describes how their background and experience specifically relates to and prepares them for a career in law enforcement.

A certified college transcript verifying successful completion of at least 60 hours of college credit must be submitted.

Eligible candidates must:

• Pass a written examination
• Pass pre-employment physical agility test
• Pass a psychological test
• Pass a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer test
• Pass a pre-employment physical
• Successfully complete police academy training
• Successfully complete field training program

For more information, contact:

Sgt. John Worden
Personnel Development Unit
Columbia Police Department
600 East Walnut
Columbia, MO  65201-4491
573-874-7422
email:  pdu@GoColumbiaMo.com

Human Resources Department
City of Columbia
P.O. Box N
Columbia, MO  65205
573-874-7235