POLICE OFFICER – NEW RECRUIT
PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION IN THIS PACKET
Online applications will be accepted beginning July 9, 2026, and must be submitted online by 11:59 PM (Arizona Time) on September 2, 2026.
Faxed, mailed, hardcopy or emailed applications will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be considered and will result in disqualification from the process.
Applications will be accepted per the rules posted at www.tempe.gov/policejobs and can be viewed by selecting the “Apply”” button on the main page.
Annual Starting Salary: $79,977
Job Number:
RC# 902479
The City of Tempe offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- 13 Paid Holidays, 1 Personal Day, 16 hours of Floating Holiday Leave
- Vacation Accrual; starts at 9.33 hours/month
- Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
- Uniform Credit/Reimbursement for approved items
- Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
- Wellness Program Discount on health premiums
- Medical Reimbursement Program; $66.11/month
- Tuition Reimbursement; $6,500/year
- Public Safety Retirement Personnel System
- Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457, 401K, and Employer contribution
To view the employee benefit summary, please visit:
Employee Benefit Summary
ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be at least 20.5 years of age at time of application and 21 years of age at time of graduation from the police academy.
- Must be a US citizen at time of application.
- Must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent at time of application.
- Must meet all City of Tempe and Arizona POST minimum requirements to test.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
- Have at least 20/80 vision correctable to 20/20 with hard contact lenses or glasses; or 20/200 vision correctable to 20/20 with soft contact lenses (at time of application).
- Be of sound physical and mental health.
- Have a valid Arizona driver license by start of employment with the City of Tempe.
- Requires completion of initial police training academy if selected.
- You are required to have a state-issued driver license or identification card, a US passport or a US military identification at check-in and all subsequent phases in order to test.
- If you are claiming veteran or disabled veteran preference points, you must provide a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 version) for verification at test check-in.
- If you require an accommodation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, in order to complete the written examination, please contact the Human Resources Department at (480) 350-8278 at least 72 hours prior to the test date.
- Experience and training requirements for this position are listed on the accompanying pages. For more information, please visit www.tempe.gov/policejobs.
Preference may be given to those applicants with a minimum of: one (1) year of law enforcement experience or two (2) years of military experience or one (1) year of college (30 credit hours) or one (1) year of supervisory/lead experience.
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SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants considered for this job classification must pass the following:
- Physical agility test
- Written examination
- Background interview
- Polygraph examination
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical examination
TESTING PROCESS
The written examination and physical agility test will occur by emailed invitation only.
- Please ensure your email address is correct on your application.
Candidates who successfully apply will be contacted by email within 10 days of the online application closing date with more information. Those invited to test will be provided specific test information to include the time and location of the test.
- Notification will be made by email only.
- Ensure you check your email, to include the junk mailbox.
Applicants selected to participate in the process will participate in a physical agility test and written examination on the same day.
The AzPOST & TPD PH Face Sheet, Release & FCRA&D packet and other information including instructions to fill out the online Arizona POST background questionnaire will be included in the notification email if you are invited to test.
- You are encouraged to begin filling out the questionnaire as soon as possible to ensure you have ample time to complete all sections.
- Those who have not completed the questionnaire and have all required items will not be permitted to test.
The police department will use the results of the physical agility test and written examination to invite candidates for further consideration; to include the background interview, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, medical examination including drug testing and physical agility retest.
Candidates will remain on an eligibility list for one (1) year from the date of application.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
For a complete list of City of Tempe job descriptions go to:
Job Descriptions | City of Tempe, AZ
This position is FLSA Non-Exempt which means employees are eligible for overtime compensation and/or compensatory time
Employees in this position are represented by the Tempe Officer’s Association (TOA).
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The City of Tempe is an Equal Opportunity / Reasonable Accommodation employer. The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, and United States military veteran status. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will make a reasonable accommodation(s) during the recruitment & selection process. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 480-350-8276. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
