OZARK, Mo. - The Ozark Police Department (OPD) is proud to announce the launch of a new hiring campaign that offers paid academy training to new recruits. This program is designed to encourage passionate candidates to join the department and serve the community without worrying about the time and financial commitment of attending the police academy.
As part of this program, recruits will be hired and paid as full-time employees while attending the Law Enforcement Academy at Drury University. Candidates will be paid police recruit wages at $18.54 an hour during their training, increasing to $23.31 an hour upon graduation. The 750-hour classroom and training experience begins in June. As part of their hiring process, candidates must commit to a two- or three-year training agreement with the department.
This opportunity is ideal for someone currently working or transitioning from college or a job where the cost and time commitment for the police academy are challenging. OPD wants to remove that barrier. The department is now hiring four open positions.
"We're excited to help dedicated individuals achieve their dreams of becoming an Ozark Police Officer," said Chief of Police Justin Arnold. "This hiring campaign is a testament to our commitment to investing in our community and supporting individuals who want to serve it. We're confident this program will attract qualified candidates and help us build a stronger workforce to continue serving our community excellently."
The application process consists of six steps, including application, written and physical exams, in-person interviews, background investigations, conditional offers of employment, and starting work.
To qualify for this program, applicants must be 21 before being sworn in, a U.S. Citizen, a High School graduate or have obtained a G.E.D., have no felony convictions, and have no more than one(1) D.W.I. conviction and no D.W.I. conviction in the past three(3) years of application date.
Benefits include paid retirement, health and dental insurance, paid vacation, sick and holiday leave. For those who are already a police officer, starting hourly wages are $23.31 - $25.49 based on experience. The Ozark Police Department also offers education incentives. Officers can earn up to $3,120 annually for having a degree and up to $2,500 through tuition reimbursement.
For more information about the hiring process and about the Ozark Police Department, please visit this page.
About the Ozark Police Department:
The mission of the Ozark Police Department is to work in a true partnership with our community, enhancing the quality of life in our city, maintaining order, and protecting the people we serve by reducing incidences of crime while pledging to uphold our professionalism, honor, and integrity. The Ozark Police Department is comprised of 41 employees, including ranked officers and noncommissioned support staff. It has a designated Criminal Investigations Unit, Narcotics Unit, Traffic Enforcement Unit, and two K9 teams. As a department, we pledge to adapt and grow responsibly, in unison with our citizens, to make Ozark the best community possible.
Become an officer today! For more information, contact Corporal Kyle Prince at k.prince@ozarkpd.org or 417-581-6600.
For media inquiries, please contact Jenifer Abreu, communications director, at jabreu@ozarkmissouri.org
