Hiring Criteria

Police Department Employee Hiring Criteria - Effective October 12, 2005

UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP - Applicant for Police Officer and Police Dispatcher position must be citizens of the United States on the date of examination. Other departmental positions do not requre United States citizenship status but must be able to work legally in the United States.

AGE OF APPLICANT- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except persons applying for the position of Police Officer, who must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age by the date of the Physical Ability Test. There is no maximum age limit.

EDUCATION- Minimum requirement is high school graduation or general education diploma (G.E.D.) Some department positions may require additional education and or experience and are noted as part of the job description.

FELONY CONVICTION - The applicant may not have been convicted of a crime for which the applicant could have been punished by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or by imprisonment in the penitentiary of this or another state. Felony convictions as a minor (under 18 years of age) may not be an automatic disqualifier and will be individually reviewed.

MISDEMEANOR CONVICTION - Misdemeanor crimes of dishonesty, unlawful sexual conduct and physical violence require a four (4) year waiting period from date of conviction or involvement. Conviction of minor crimes not listed above may require a one (1) year wait depending upon the crime and severity.

MORAL CHARACTER - The applicant shall demonstrate good moral character, as determined by a department conducted background investigation including criminal history records as well as expunged records. Conviction of any criminal offense is an indication that the applicant may not be of good moral character and may be grounds for disqualification. As part of the background process, applicants for department employment may take a truth verification examination which will be used as part of the background investigation.

MILITARY SERVICE - An applicant will be disqualified for any discharge less than honorable.

PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL CONDITION - Applicant must successfully pass a drug test no more than thirty (30) days prior to employment. Applicant for Police Officer must also pass a psychological evaluation with a passing suitability rating. Police Officer must also successfully pass a City provided medical examination. Specific questions as to the suitability of a candidate’s physical condition will be determined during this examination.

TATTOOS - Tattoos or decals cannot be obscene, offensive, or distract from professional appearance, or interfere with on-duty actions and responsibilities.

ILLEGAL DRUGS - Applicant may not have used any illegal drug while employed in any law enforcement or prosecutorial position, or while employed in a position which carries a high level of public trust.Applicant may not have sold, manufactured or cultivated or distributed any illegal drug. Any use of LSD, PCP will automatically exclude the applicant from the process. Applicant may not have used hard drugs or their derivatives and synthetic equivalents within five (5) years prior to the application closing date. Including but not limited to:

• Stimulants - Amphetamine, Meth Amphetamine, Cocaine, Crack, MDMA (Ecstasy); Hallucinogen –Psilocybin Mushrooms, Mescaline, Peyote, Ketamine, DMT, Foxy/AMT (Tryptamine), Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB) Opiates – Opium, Morphine, Heroin, Methadone, Quaalude Pills, Thai Sticks,
• Applicant may not have used other drugs not classified as hard drugs within two (2) years prior to the application closing date. Other drugs include the following listed drugs, their chemical derivatives and synthetic equivalents: Marijuana, Anabolic steroids, Hashish, DXM (Dextromethorphan) Amyl Nitrates, Cannabis, and Inhalants.
• Abuse of prescription drugs will be individually considered and may be grounds for disqualification.
• Failure to fully disclose any and all illegal drug use will automatically disqualify the applicant from the process.

ALCOHOL - Any activity involving the abuse of alcohol will be considered in determining the suitability of the applicant.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Applicants for Police Officer are not eligible for employment if they have been convicted of any domestic violence related offense. Other domestic incidents or reports will be looked at on a case by case basis

DUI CONVICTION - Applicant who have been convicted of DUI of alcohol or drugs, or who have pled guilty to a lesser charge shall not be allowed to make application prior to two years from the conviction. Applicants who have been convicted of more than two DUI or who has pled guilty to lesser charges shall not be allowed to continue in the process. Age may be taken into consideration if at the time of the offense the applicant was a juvenile.

DRIVING HISTORY - Applicant driving record is reviewed and excessive moving citations and drivers age at the time of the offenses will be considered and may disqualify the applicant. The loss of driving privileges will make the applicant ineligible if within the last two years from date of testing. Applicants for Police Officer are required to have a valid drivers license.

CREDIT HISTORY - The applicant must demonstrate financial responsibility

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY - Applicant work history will be considered including completeness of job history information provided.

JOB TESTING - The applicant must successfully pass all examinations as required by the Civil Service Commission.

ASSOCIATIONS - Applicant associations with known felons, criminal enterprise, street gang members, groups advocating violence and/or subversive goals will be individually reviewed.

APPLICATION PROCESS - The applicant will be disqualified from the process if false information is discovered. Incomplete applications or omissions of requested information will delay the hiring process and may disqualify the applicant from the process.