Law Enforcement Careers

Police Department

The Oklahoma City Police Department offers rewarding law enforcement careers to men and women interested in becoming Police Officers.

The department has a central police station and five sub-stations with more than 2,500 police reporting districts which average 1/4 square mile.

Oklahoma City Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Download an application packet, which includes the information on this page plus an application form.

Download Oklahoma City Police Department Recruiting FAQ. (Adobe PDF, 164 KB).

Requirements

Be a citizen of the United States.
21-45 years of age. Applicants may complete an application and proceed in the hiring process at 20 years of age if they will be 21 by the starting date of the next academy class.
Valid drivers license.
Good moral character.
Suitable emotional stability.
Meet the requirements of the State Police Pension Board
High School Diploma or GED. At the time you become eligible to test for the rank of Lieutenant you must have earned 60 college credit hours with at least a letter grade of "C" and a Bachelor's Degree to test for the rank of Captain.

How to become an Oklahoma City Police Officer

The goal of the Oklahoma City Police Department is to select the best possible applicants for employment. Therefore, completion and advancement through the application process is based on ability and competition with other applicants.

Upon completion of each phase applicants will be contacted if they are to advance to additional steps.

How to apply

Mail or Return the completed application and applicant questionnaire, a copy of your valid State Driver's License to:

OCPD Recruiting Office
800 N. Portland
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Oklahoma City Police Headquarters
701 Colcord Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Additional Return only locations:

Hefner Briefing Station
3924 N. W. 122nd Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73120

Will Rogers Briefing Station
3112 N. Grand Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Santa Fe Briefing Station
9000 S. Santa Fe Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73139

Springlake Briefing Station
4014 N. Prospect Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73111

You will be contacted by mail when your application has been received.
Applicants are responsible for keeping their address and phone information current with the Recruiting Unit. This information will not be taken over the phone - you must bring it in, mail it in, fax it in, or email it to ocpd.recruiting@okc.gov.

Steps in the application process

Physical Fitness Evaluation

Applicants will participate in a series of strength-related exercises and timed running events. Failure to achieve the required fitness level in any category will result in disqualification from further processing at that time. Applicants who fail are allowed to retest after six months.

All or part of the physical fitness evaluation may be administered again, prior to the beginning of recruit training, to ensure the applicant has maintained a proper fitness level.

Current fitness standards.

Academy Aptitude Test

You must pass this test with a minimum score of 70%.

This timed exam covers five areas:

25 multiple-choice vocabulary and word usage questions
20 multiple-choice reading recall and comprehension questions
25 multiple-choice basic math questions
10 cognitive definition and logic measurements
Visual Memory/Report Writing

If applicant fails the test, they may retake it one additional time within a 12-month period.

Background Investigation Book

Applicants who successfully complete the preceding phases, and are selected to continue processing, will be required to complete a Background Investigation Book. A Photostat copy of the following is required, if applicable:

A recent passport style photograph. Photograph must be head and shoulders only.
Birth Certificate: Must be certified copy of original.
High School Transcript: Must be certified copy.
G.E.D. Certificate and grades if applicable.
College Transcript: Must be certified copy.
Military Discharge: Copy of DD-214 (long form) must be provided. If separation date has not been reached a letter signed by commanding officer and stating date of separation and type of discharge must be provided.
Naturalization certificate if applicable.
Copy of Marriage license(s).
Copy of divorce decree(s) if applicable.
Copy of papers for any bankruptcy filing.

Applicant Stability Rating Procedure

After completing the background book the applicant will be scheduled for an appointment with the coordinator. The coordinator will review the book and interview the applicant to establish a stability rating.

Polygraph Examination

Applicants selected to proceed will be scheduled for a polygraph examination with the police department examiner.

Background Investigation

Applicants that have successfully completed the above steps, and who are selected for continued processing, will be given a thorough background investigation. At the conclusion of the background investigation, the recruiter will notify the applicant of their board date and time, or their ineligibility to proceed further at this time and any opportunities for re-application.

Employment Assessment Board

The assessment board's responsibility is to assess the applicant's qualities, personal characteristics and ability to perform as a police officer. A list of acceptable applicants is referred to the Chief of Police for his review. An applicant rejected at this stage will be notified by the Recruiter of this decision and advised of any opportunities for re-application.

Final Selection

The Chief of Police selects the applicants who will attend the Police Academy, pending successful completion of the medical examination and the Minnesota Multiphastic Personality Inventory (MMPI) exam. Should the Chief of Police reject an applicant, they will be notified by the Recruiter of this decision and advised of any opportunities for re-application.

Psychological Evaluation

Applicants will be evaluated for psychological suitability. This evaluation will include the completion of the California Personality Inventory (CPI). Selected applicants will undergo a comprehensive psychological evaluation by a trained psychologist.

Medical Examination

Applicants must meet the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System Physical Standards. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) will also be administered.

Oklahoma City Police Department Academy

Hired applicants will begin employment as a Police Recruit in the Oklahoma City Police Department. An academy lasts approximately 28 weeks and is a non-residential academy. You are a paid employee while you attend and your uniforms and equipment are supplied to you.

Field Training Program

Upon successful completion of the academy, the recruit is assigned to a field training officer for approximately 4 months and must meet the minimum standards established by the FTO Program.

Applications are accepted year round. Your application is considered active for two years, unless you withdraw it. Should you not be selected for employment, your recruiter will notify you.

Training

The police recruit will attend the Oklahoma City Police Department Recruit Training Academy. The course of instruction includes:

Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
Emergency Vehicle Operation
Firearms Training
Self-Defense Tactics
Principles of Investigation
First Aid
Minority Relations
Police Community Relations and other subjects

Upon successful completion of the academy, the recruit will be a
C.L.E.E.T. * Certified Police Officer and eligible for up to 30 college credit hours. After graduation from the Academy, the recruit is assigned to a field-training officer for approximately 4 months and must meet the minimum standards established by the FTO Program.

*Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training

Career Development

After three years of service, an officer may apply for duty in specialized assignments. Acceptance is based on the education, experience, training and evaluation of the officer seeking the special assignment to fields such as:

Investigations Bureau
Special Projects
K-9
Lake Patrol
Police-Community Relations
Bicycle Unit
Air Support
Accident Investigation
Tactical Team (SWAT)
Bomb Squad
Solo Motorcycles
Technical Investigations
Gang Enforcement
Emergency Response Team

Career Development is also encouraged through a College Tuition Reimbursement Program and Educational Incentive Pay.

Officers who have successfully completed the Academy and the Field Training Program may be eligible to participate in the College Tuition Reimbursement Program. Eligible Officers will be reimbursed 100% of their tuition costs for courses which are satisfactorily completed with a grade of C minus or above up to a maximum of $1000.00 per semester.

Educational Incentive Pay is addressed on the following page under Police Pay Plan.

Police pay plan
(Fiscal Year 08/09)

Recruit pay range	Step A	Step B
Annual	$39,212.64	$44,453.52
Hourly	$18.78	$21.29

Officer pay range	Step A	Step G
Annual	$47,877.84	$54,747.36
Hourly	$22.93	$26.22

Sergeant pay range	Step A	Step L
Annual	$53,891.28	$68,799.60
Hourly	$25.81	$32.95

Recruit Step A is the entry-level salary. Recruit Step B increase is received upon graduation from the police academy. Officer Step A increase is received one year after graduation from the academy. Each subsequent year after graduation you will receive an additional step raise until top pay for the range has been reached. This pay plan does not reflect longevity or college incentive pay.

Educational incentive pay is as follows:

Associate's degree $75.00 monthly.
Bachelor's degree $150.00 monthly.
Masters or advance degree $175.00 monthly.

Payment begins one month after graduation from an academy.

Applicant fitness standards

The standards are universal. There is no deviation in regard to sex, age or weight. The listed times or repetitions are the minimums which must be achieved by each applicant.

Although not required, we strongly suggest participants consult with their own medical doctor, as to their current physical condition, to determine their individual ability to perform these assessments.

Headphones will not be allowed.

Assessment	Time/Repetitions
300 Meter Run	68 seconds
Sit Up	27 in 1 minute
Standard Push Up (no time limit)	18
1.5 mile run This is a run - no walking allowed	15 minutes 20 seconds