Become a St. Louis County Police Officer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOttgVCDgIY
The six month basic training period is compensated at $19.31 an hour. Upon graduation, Probationary Police Officers enter the existing commissioned pay matrix.
Start gaining experience now with our Pre-Academy Paid Employment with Benefits Program. Ask a recruiter how you can become a "Pre-Recruit"!
Experienced Officers are compensated at one to one for completed years of service.
Years of Service
2026 Scale
Salary
Probationary Police Officer
$30.29
$63,003
The St. Louis County Police Department offers exciting and rewarding career opportunities to candidates who have the skills and determination to succeed in the exciting profession of law enforcement. Please read the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS to ensure that you are eligible. If you do not meet the qualifications, you may be interested in the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy's Open Enrollment Program.
St. Louis County Police Department was founded in 1955 with a force of 95 commissioned officers. We have grown to an authorized strength of over 1,300 employees, both sworn officers and highly skilled professional staff personnel. This growth is a reflection of our commitment to Neighborhood Policing- a partnership between police and law-abiding citizens to create permanent solutions to problems that lead to crime.
The St. Louis County Police Department provides a uniform patrol presence spanning 370 square miles across unincorporated St. Louis County. We are also the largest provider of contracted law enforcement services in the State of Missouri, contracting with over 70 agencies for a variety of services.
We appreciate our employees and the citizens we serve. We seek to attract applicants from every community, other law enforcement agencies, professions and disciplines to all positions in our Department. We value the men and women of America's military. Everyone is equally welcome and encouraged to apply.
Every day will bring a new, non-routine and exciting challenge to you and the opportunity to help and protect others. We offer a positive work environment; fair and family-friendly work policies; cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and many opportunities to receive advanced training for your safety, security and advancement.
We are the St. Louis County Police https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1vE4AAouPM.AGE REQUIREMENT: Must be at least 21 years of age, or applicant must reach their 21st birthday by the time of completion of the academy training course.
RESIDENCY: No residency requirement. Must be a citizen of the United States.
EDUCATION/WORK EXPERIENCE: You must have either:
1. 32 semester credit hours from an accredited university or college. Both require a cumulative average letter grade of "C" or a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent, OR
2. A high school diploma or GED with one year full-time prior police experience or two years of active military service or four years of National Guard/Reserve service. Police experience can be in a professional staff position with the St. Louis County Police Department designated by the Chief, to include the Department's Cadet Program. OR
3. Five years of successful work experience. Successful work experience is defined as:
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Continuous full-time employment, averaging 30 hours or more per week; and
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Overall positive reviews of work performance from employers; and
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No negative terminations of employment; and
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Multiple employers are acceptable if the above factors are met.
Out-of-state police officers/military peace officers who possess or obtain State of Missouri POST class "A" certification will be evaluated in conjunction with their education/work experience. Visit the POST website at www.dps.mo.gov/POST/Main/POSTForms.htm for additional information.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG GUIDELINES: Any illegal adult use or possession of a controlled substance, excluding marijuana, within one year prior to employment.
The word “drug” refers to any type of controlled substance for which you do not have a prescription; to include marijuana in all forms (edibles, gummies, or any other product containing THC).
TATTOO POLICY: Department employees shall not display tattoos that are visible on the face, neck, or head. Tattoos which may be visible in a short sleeve uniform will be considered by the Chief of Police on a case-by-case basis. Imagery which may be deemed inappropriate or offensive in nature shall be considered grounds for disqualification. Applicants will be required to provide a photograph and explanation to provide context of any visible tattoos.
VISION: Minimum Department standard is 20/200 in each eye, uncorrected; correctable to 20/20 in each eye.
ARREST RECORD: Free from conviction of a Felony or any other criminal offense that would prohibit the applicant from obtaining a Missouri POST Class "A" license, if none currently held. All convictions for a Class “A” Misdemeanor will be cause for a review and authorization from the Chief of Police.
DRIVER'S LICENSE: Possess a valid operator's license at the time of appointment and have five (5) or fewer points against their operator’s license at the time of application; and
MILITARY: Must not have a Dishonorable or Bad Conduct Discharge from the military service. Honorable Discharge and General Discharge (Under Honorable Conditions) are accepted. Other Than Honorable discharges shall be reviewed on an individual basis, if applicable.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:-
Knowledge of modern police practices and methods.
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Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances particularly the laws of arrest and evidence.
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Some knowledge of the geography of St. Louis County.
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Working knowledge of the principles and techniques of interrogation.
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Knowledge of first aid principles.
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Skill in the use and care of firearms and in operating police vehicles.
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Ability to wear and effectively utilize all Department issued items of uniforms and equipment as specified in the Department's General Order, Uniforms, and Appearance regardless of assignment.
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Ability to work regular and irregular shift work and shift rotations necessary to provide police services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year (weekends and holidays included). Work shifts vary between 8, 10, or 12 hours in duration but may be extended in the event of an emergency, disaster, manpower shortage, workload, or work-in-progress.
INCENTIVES
The St. Louis County Police Department offers 7% shift differential pay for those who work the midnight shift. In addition, the Department offers tuition reimbursement and education incentives for officers who possess a degree of higher education from an accredited institution. They shall receive the following addition to their base rate of pay:
Associate's degree: $1,200/year
Bachelor's degree: $2,400/year
Master's degree: $4,800/year
Doctorate degree: $7,200/year
Education incentive pay is subject to confirmation by Human Resources and will include proof of an official transcript awarding or conferring the degree.
COMPETITIVE SELECTION PROCESS
Under the regulations of the Police Department, all appointments to the St. Louis County Police Department are made on the basis of a continuously open, competitive hiring process conducted under the supervision of the Personnel Services Unit. Each applicant must successfully complete each stage of the selection process before becoming eligible to proceed to the next step. The selection steps, in their order, take up to four months to complete:
PRELIMINARY APPLICATION REVIEW: A review of the electronic/paper application will be conducted by the Personnel Services Unit for initial verification of qualifications.
RECORD CHECK: A police record check will be conducted and applicants will be fingerprinted.
PISTOL TRIGGER PULL TEST: Applicants will be required to complete a trigger pull test of 25 pulls of the pistol trigger with their dominant hand in 1 minute and 13 pulls of the pistol trigger with their non-dominant hand in 1 minute. A Department issued empty weapon will be used to administer the test with a barrel plug in place.
WRITTEN TEST: Administration of a reading and comprehension test, followed by a Personnel Evaluation Profile questionnaire, will be given to assist in the initiation of the background investigation. The written exam will be waived for applicants with five (5) or more years of full-time police experience.
PHYSICAL AGILITY ASSESSMENT: A physical agility assessment shall be conducted at the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy. This assessment will include sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5 mile run. Applicants are expected to meet the minimum requirements in each category. A limited amount of applicants will be scheduled per session with each session lasting approximately two to three hours. A score for rating each applicant will be given. For more on the physical agility assessment watch this video: youtube.com/watch?v=d5AlQE3biiE.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants will be provided with a Personal History Questionnaire and supporting documents to determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the position. A thorough background investigation will be conducted on all police applicants in the areas of past employment record and reputation, personal references, neighborhood reputation, police record check, credit history and military record (when applicable). The background investigation is concluded with a polygraph examination in an attempt to verify information received from and about the applicant. Results of the polygraph examination are confidential and will be considered with the applicant's total file.
COMMANDER'S INTERVIEW: A further evaluation to determine the candidate's overall fitness for the position, including self-expression, mental alertness and suitability for police duties will be conducted by the Personnel Services Commander or a designee.
FINAL REVIEW BOARD: This is the final determination toward an offer of conditional appointment. High-ranking Department officials provide the final evaluation of the candidate to the Chief of Police. This evaluation may result in an offer of conditional employment or an end to the current selection process.
REAPPLICATION: In the event an applicant is eliminated during any phase of the process, reapplication may not be made for six months unless circumstances indicate that an earlier review may be warranted.
PHYSICAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS: These examinations will be given after a conditional offer of employment by a Department designated physician and psychologist and shall consist of various organic tests to determine the applicant's suitability for the rigors of police work and their ability to participate in an increasingly difficult physical training program as a recruit at the Police Academy. The psychological exam will be used to determine the applicant's suitability for police work. If a Department designated physician or psychologist finds that the applicant meets physical and psychological standards for employment, the applicant will be appointed.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Academy recruits are on probation while attending the Academy. Experienced police officers who are hired and Academy recruits who are promoted to Police Officer serve a 12 month probationary period.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The Board of Police Commissioners resolved that subject to all applicable State and Federal statutory or judicial exemptions, all qualified applicants for employment and/or advancement, whether commissioned or civilian, shall be given equal opportunity for consideration, selection, appointment and retention, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or political affiliation.
