Police Officer

The City of Topeka is seeking individuals interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. We believe in recruiting the best, brightest, most diverse candidates to serve our citizens and make our community safer. A Police Officer is primarily responsible for enforcing the law and protecting the public. Police Officers detect and prevent crime, complete assignments, and participate in community safety programs.

Interested candidates must schedule, complete, and pass the written test and the Police Officer Physical Agility Test (POPAT) to be eligible for consideration.

To register for an upcoming test date, please click 'Start Your Application' on the City of Topeka's careers site at https : / / www.topeka.org / careers

What to expect in the recruitment process :

• Register for and complete the Written Test and Police Officer Physical Agility Test (POPAT)
• Interview Process (Initial, Staff, and Civil Service Interviews)
• Exam Process (Polygraph, Psychological and Medical Exams)
• Starting pay of $29.93 per hour / $62,254.40 per year in 2025
• Approximately $1 per hour increase per year (for 15 years) up to $47.16 per hour / $98,092 per year in 2025
• Shift differential Pay ($1 per hour for shifts starting after noon)
• Premium pay for detectives (base salary up to $105,392 per year) and sergeants (base salary up to $110,010 per year)
• Attend paid Police Academy in Topeka
• Lateral Transfer Program : starting pay up to $42.51 per hour / $88,420 per year in 2025, accelerated hiring process, shortened police academy and FTO phase (upon approval of the Chief)
• Receive GI bill benefits throughout the academy and FTO phase
• Department issues all required gear
• Granted 24 core Criminal Justice credits at Washburn University for academy completion
• 10-Hour workdays for patrol officers and academy
• Monthly Education Bonus (Associate's Degree : $25, Bachelor's Degree : $100, Master's Degree : $125)
• 11 paid holidays per year (double-time pay in addition, if working)
• Minimum 4.5 hours of compensatory time or 3 hours overtime pay for off-duty court appearances
• Physical incentive pay (up to $90 / quarter) with On-site Gym - Workout on Duty
• Compensation for certified bilingual officers (up to $2,500 per year)
• Tuition reimbursement up to $1,000 per year
• Employee Assistance Program. Ride Share Reimbursements
• Health / Dental / Prescription Insurance with Free Onsite Health & Wellness Clinic
• Top notch training and access to our Regional Training Center
• $2 per hour incentive for field training officers and supervisors
• Personal Leave (2 days awarded annually), Perfect Attendance Leave (1 day per quarter), Funeral Leave (3 days per use), Vacation Leave (96 hours per year, increases with years of service), Sick Leave (96 hours per year)
• Promotion and specialty unit selection points for military service and formal education
• Medical expense reimbursement (up to $1,300)
• Contractual agreement between the city of Topeka and FOP lodge #3
• Various Specialty Units and Assignments including K-9 Unit, Response Team, CSI, Detectives, Bomb Unit, Narcotics Officers, Behavioral Health Unit, Motorcycle Unit, School Resource Officers, Youth Education Officer, ATV Unit, Community Police, Crisis Negotiator, Security Preservation Team (SPT), FBI, ATF, & U.S. Marshal's Task Force, Accident Reconstruction, Accident Investigation Unit, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Honor Guard, Pipe and Drum Corps, EVOC Instructor, Polygraph Examiner, Training Unit, and UAV Unit.
• Retirement benefits under Kansas Police & Fire. Full retirement at 25 years of service & age 50. For more info, click here : KP&F Retirement Services

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