The City of Jefferson is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer for the Jefferson City Police Department. We are looking for the best and brightest career-oriented individuals. This position is responsible for the protection of life and property, prevention of crime, crime investigation, apprehension of criminals, and the enforcement of state laws and municipal ordinances.
Join the Jefferson City Police Department and receive the following incentives:
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$15,000 incentive with Missouri POST Certified Candidates.
All applicants must attend the written exam and physical test in order to move forward in the application process. The written and physical exam is tentatively scheduled for of Monday, October 5, 2026. Applicants will be notified by email on September 28, 2026 to go online and schedule their testing date and time.
Attends Missouri Law Enforcement Training Institute to learn and apply the knowledge and skills required of a sworn officer; obtains a P.O.S.T. basic certificate within six months of hire if not previously obtained prior to employment.
Works with an assigned field training officer to learn field activities, tactics and strategic planning, performs assigned responsibilities on and individual or team basis.
Promptly responds to calls for service, investigates automobile accidents, and criminal misdemeanor and felony offenses; preforms crime scene analysis, identifies and collects evidence.
Randomly patrols designated zone of the city in a patrol car or on foot to deter and detect criminal activity; enforces state law and city ordinance; takes suspect or offender into custody and delivers them to appropriate confinement location; reports on deficient lights, signs, road surfaces or other driving areas utilized by the public; assists motorists; establishes traffic control and police protection.
Police officers in regular specialized or rotational assignments will perform law enforcement activities such as evidence identification, collection and control, juvenile law enforcement, traffic unit, community policing, D.A.R.E., detective, investigations, or school resource officer work.
Maintains and prepares written reports in an accurate, comprehensive, timely and legible manner as necessary to comply with police procedures and facilitate subsequent prosecution; determines existence of probable cause, identifies and takes suspects and offenders into physical custody; locates and interviews victims, witnesses, and interrogates suspects; follows up on investigations and continues with assigned investigation until it leads to a logical conclusion.
Works with other law enforcement officers in teamwork and emergency situations to maintain a safe and secure environment; provides protection and transportation to appropriate care facilities for persons with mental/psychiatric problems; performs first aid, helps injured/sick persons and assists ambulance and medical personnel as needed; provides security and crowd control to maintain order at various social events.
Develops and presents safety programs and crime prevention presentations to the community; provides an open line of communication with school partners; maintains knowledge of threat assessment for school related incidents; acts in a capacity of mentor, counselor and educator; and serves the community through pro-active policing including self-initiated activities and development of crime prevention strategies.
Requires a high school diploma or equivalent; must be at least 21 years of age; possess a valid Missouri Driver's License with a good driving record; no felony convictions nor convictions of crimes of moral indecency; possess or be able to secure a Missouri State License as a Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer within six months of hire.
Physical: Ability to maintain physical fitness; stoop, bend, crawl, walk, climb and lift and/or move heavy objects or persons, give chase on foot, and restrain persons within the course of proper police procedures; work in confined areas and outdoors in all weather conditions and at any time day/night; walk, sit or stand for long periods of time; possess the physical strength and agility to defend self and/or others in a hostile or combative situation; operate a police vehicle; and proficiently use firearms.
Mental: Ability to respond quickly, maintain composure, self-restraint and emotional control in stressful, difficult, dangerous, or criminal situations; remember details; problem solve effectively and make sound decisions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, Local, State and Federal officers, groups, and with citizens from varied racial, ethnic or economic backgrounds; utilize tact, discretion, courtesy and respect for individual rights; and ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively recognizing actual or potential dangers, and determine proper course of action.
Must be able to work a 28-day rotating shift. Paid training for licensing, plus equipment and uniforms furnished. Females and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applicants must pass a written test, physical agility test, and an extensive background and criminal history check before being considered.
The minimum starting annual salary for a Police Officer is $53,345.90.
Applicants must pass the written exam and physical fitness assessment in order to move forward in the application process. Please bring a copy of the following documents with you at the written exam check-in:
1. A clean copy of your valid drivers' license, and
2. A copy of one of the following: your high school diploma, GED, college transcript/diploma, or DD-214.
Applicants who pass the written exam will immediately moved to the physical fitness assessment: For more information on the physical fitness assessment activities visit: http://www.jeffersoncitymo.gov/government/employment_testing.php. Please dress in appropriate fitness attire and shoes. The physical fitness assessment will take place regardless of the weather in the Police Department gym and on an outdoor track.
Applicants may order the “Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT) Candidate Orientation Guide” by clicking the following link: https://www.fpsi.com/product/pact-orientation-guide/.
The PACT Candidate Orientation Guide is a helpful tool to prepare for the exam and can be downloaded as a .PDF file and saved or printed. Payments can be submitted via a PayPal account or on FPSI’s site using a credit/debit card. Once payment is submitted, the download link will be located on the order details-checkout status page. Applicants must pay close attention to ALL instructions on both FPSI and PayPal’s websites to access the instant download successfully!
If you have any question about the recruitment process, please call Lt. Jon Kempker and Lt. Jason Payne at 573-634-6400 or visit: https://www.jeffersoncitymo.gov/government/police.php.
