Springfield, Missouri, Police Officer Qualifications
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Assaults, domestic disturbances and larceny accounted for most of the crimes in Spingfield, Missouri, according to the city's 2010 Crime Alert. To combat these crimes, Springfield employs more than 300 fully accredited police officers. Through its Cadet Program, the city's police department provides an apprenticeship to high schools students who are at least 16 years old. However, they and others wishing to become police officers in the city must apply and meet several qualifications before being admitted into the city's police academy. - All applicants must be citizens of the United States and at least 21 years old. Applications can be filed online at the city's Springfieldmo website (see Resources) and must be completed by the city's application deadline, available through the city's human resources department.
Applicants must meet certification, experience or education requirements. They must meet one of the following criteria to take the test to become a police officer: Have class A certification (have passed physical tests and have the ability to make arrests) or class B certification (no physical testing with no ability to make arrests, such as security guards); two years of law enforcement or military experience; or 60 credits from an accredited college or university. - Police officers for Springfield, Missouri, are expected to be in excellent health and physical condition and must pass certain physical fitness tests. These tests include performing 24 push-ups, completing 24 sit-ups in a minute and running 1.5 miles in 18 minutes and 29 seconds. To help applicants meet these qualifications, the city's police department partners with the Springfield YMCA to provide up to 10 weeks of training by a certified personal trainer. This training provides the endurance and strength training necessary to pass the fitness test. In addition, applicants must pass hearing and vision tests administered by the department.
- Before being admitted to the police academy, prospective police officers must undergo a background investigation. Applicants fill out a police questionnaire providing their criminal and personal history. Those with prior felony convictions or with DWIs within the past three years are not eligible to become police officers. Also, prospective officers who have used drugs or controlled substances within the past three years are not eligible. A police investigator is assigned to conduct an investigation to verify the answers or explanations given on the questionnaire. These questionnaires should be returned during the oral interview.
