Unpaid Police Recruit (Academy Open Enrollment)

Open Enrollment Recruit Position

If you do not meet the qualifications to be a police officer for the St. Louis County Police Department, you may want to consider applying for an open enrollment recruit position at the County and Municipal Police Academy. This position will afford you the opportunity to be considered for employment by municipalities throughout the St. Louis region.

Applicants who do not meet qualifications for employment as a St. Louis County Police Recruit may apply for an Open Enrollment position in an upcoming basic training class. Applications are reviewed by the Basic Training Supervisor at the discretion of the Academy Director to determine eligibility dependent on available positions. Questions regarding this program and whether or not you are eligible should be directed to a Recruitment Officer : (314) 615-5026 or (314) 615-7824.

Please note that applicants who meet the following minimum qualifications and also successfully complete the selection process, as outlined below, are eligible to attend a Police Recruit Basic Training Class. Admission to the Police Recruit Basic Training class and completion of the program does not guarantee employment as a police officer or automatically qualify an applicant for employment. An agency may have other minimum qualifications and steps in their police recruit or police officer selection process that must be successfully completed by the applicant, to be eligible for hire by that agency. Applicants are encouraged to contact any and all potential employers and identify all requirements for employment.

Examples Of Duties

Under the procedures established by the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy Board of Managers and approved by the St. Louis County Police Department Board of Police Commissioners, all selections under this program are made on the basis of a continuously open, competitive selection process conducted under the supervision of the Personnel Services Unit, St. Louis County Police Department. Applications are welcomed and accepted at any time, usually 8 : 00 AM to 4 : 30 PM, Monday through Friday. Each applicant must successfully complete each stage of the selection process to remain eligible. 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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 : Documentary proof of high school education or presentation of a "State High School Equivalency" certificate, with accompanying score sheet. VISION : Minimum Department standard is 20 / 200 in each eye, uncorrected; correctable to 20 / 20 in each eye. ARREST RECORD : Must be free from conviction of a Felony. A Class "A" Misdemeanor conviction will be cause for immediate dismissal from the process, unless otherwise directed by the Chief of Police. DRIVER'S LICENSE : Must possess a valid State Driver's License by date of employment and have five (5) or less points charged against his / her driving record at time of application, unless otherwise directed by the Chief of Police. MILITARY : Must not have a "Dishonorable" discharge or "Bad Conduct" discharge if having served in the military. All "Other Than Honorable" discharges will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Additional Information

STEP 1 - APPLICATION : Complete online application. STEP 2 - INITIAL PROCESSING OF APPLICANTS : This step includes a review of application, and check for minimum qualifications. STEP 3 - PHYSICAL CONDITION ASSESSMENT : A physical condition assessment may be conducted if the applicant does not fall within the current height and weight standards for the Department. STEP 4 - FINAL INTERVIEWS : After completing all the preceding steps, the applicant shall be interviewed by the Director of the Academy, or his designee. STEP 5 - APPLICANT SELECTION : Those applicants selected, approved and notified by the Academy will be eligible to attend the approximately 25 week training. Class size is limited. STEP 6 - PHYSICAL EXAMINATION : Applicants shall be required to have a physical examination by their own physician and a drug screening submitted to one of the County's selected testing sites. Both will be at the applicant's expense and must be successfully completed. Exams will be based on the Academy's approved physical evaluation forms. Applicants shall be required to provide proof of personal medical insurance to cover the period of training at the Academy prior to the first day of class. Veterans' benefits are available to those police recruits who qualify. 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.