Many people dream of becoming a police officer or sheriff’s deputy and working in Iowa.
The state is filled with many wonderful opportunities for law enforcement professionals, but we wanted to narrow it down and create a list of the top 10 best places to work as a sheriff’s deputy or police officer in Iowa.
The list was created based on the following factors:
- -The quality of education in the city
- -The quality of life in the city
- -Career advancement opportunities in the department
- -The quality of local school systems
- -The availability and quality of health care systems
- -The availability and quality of recreational activities
However, before getting too excited, please keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive and there are many other great places to work as a law enforcement officer in Iowa.
About Police Jobs in Iowa
Iowa is a beautiful state with many wonderful opportunities for law enforcement professionals of all kinds.
Whether you want to be a police officer or sheriff’s deputy, there is no shortage of great agencies and departments in Iowa that are always looking for new recruits.
The jobs in Iowa are plentiful and pay well.
Like any other city in the United States, there may be some drawbacks to working in a large metropolitan area but for most people, these issues can easily be overcome by all of the wonderful things about living and working as a law enforcement officer or sheriff’s deputy in Iowa.
Iowa is known for its beautiful scenery, friendly people, and great job opportunities.
If you are looking for a stable career in law enforcement, Iowa is the place to be.
The Top 10 Places to Work as a Sheriff’s Deputy or Police Officer in Iowa
Here are our top ten picks for the best places to work as a sheriff’s deputy or police officer in Iowa:
1. Des Moines Police Departments
Des Moines is one of the best places to live and work as a law enforcement professional.
The cost of living is relatively low compared with other major metropolitan areas, and there are plenty of great job opportunities available.
The Des Moines Police Department is a large and well-funded agency with many career advancement opportunities.
The department is also known for its high standards of training and excellence.
If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding law enforcement career, the Des Moines Police Department is a great place for you to start.
With a population of over 200,000 people, Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa.
The department employs over 800+ officers and is always looking for new recruits.
If you are interested in a career as a police officer or sheriff’s deputy in Des Moines, please visit the following website for more information:
2. Cedar Rapids Police Department
The Cedar Rapids Police Department is a large and well-funded police department with many career advancement opportunities.
With a population of over 125,000 people, Cedar Rapids is the second-largest city in Iowa.
Units within the Cedar Rapids Police Department include:
- -The Patrol Division
- -k9 Unit
- -Traffic Unit
- -School Resource Officers
- -The Criminal Investigations Bureau
- -SWAT, Bomb Team, and more
If you are interested in a career as a police officer or sheriff’s deputy with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, please visit their website for more information.
3. Iowa City Police Department
The Iowa City Police Department is a medium-sized police department with a population of over 70,000 people.
The department is well-funded and employs over 100 officers.
Units within the Iowa City Police Department include Patrol, Investigations, Traffic, Community Policing, and Special Services.
The Iowa City Police Department is known for its community-oriented policing philosophy which focuses on problem-solving and crime prevention.
Officers with the Iowa City Police Department enjoy a high quality of life with great career advancement opportunities.
The department also has a strong focus on training and professional development.
The Iowa City Police Department also has a strong focus on training and professional development.
This includes extensive de-escalation, use of force, firearms certification, crisis intervention team (CIT) training as well as community policing tactics and strategies for the 21st Century law enforcement officer.
All officers with the department are required to wear body cameras.
4. Davenport Police Department
The Davenport, Iowa police department is a great place to work as a police officer.
The city of Davenport, Iowa has a population of 100,000 people. The area is growing and offers many job opportunities for police officers as the city grows and expands.
The Police Department in Davenport boasts a competitive salary for police officers. The starting salary is over $55k per and increases significantly as you acquire more experience.
It has an excellent benefits package including paid vacations and sick time as well as health insurance coverage.
The city also offers career advancement opportunities within the Police Department and there are educational reimbursement programs available too.
5. Council Bluffs Police Department
The Council Bluffs, Iowa police department is another great place to work as a law enforcement officer.
Council Bluffs is located in Pottawattamie County and has a population of 62,000 people. The city offers many job opportunities for officers due to its size and growth.
The benefits package is excellent and the starting salary for police officers with a college degree is really attractive.
There are also opportunities to advance your career in this department and the educational reimbursement program will help you fund your education so that you can advance with the Council Bluffs Police Department.
Council Bluffs also has a great quality of life, which makes it an even more desirable place to live as well as work.
You will enjoy many opportunities for recreation such as golfing at one of the many excellent golf courses in the area, cycling or running along the beautiful riverside trails, and enjoying some of the best restaurants in Iowa.
Council Bluffs is definitely one of the top places to work as a police officer in Iowa. It’s also a great place to live!
6. Ankeny Police Department
The Ankeny, Iowa police department is another great place to work as a law enforcement officer. Ankeny is located in Polk County and has a population of over 50,000 people.
The Police Department offers excellent benefits including paid vacation time, sick leave, and health insurance coverage.
Officers receive a very competitive salary that increases with experience.
Ankeny is a great place to live with excellent schools, quality health-care systems, and plenty of opportunities for recreation.
7. Ames Police Department
The Ames, Iowa police department is another great place to work as a law enforcement officer.
Ames is located in Story County and has a population of over 58,000 people. The Ames Police Department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
The department employs 85 sworn officers and 15 civilian employees. Units within the department include: Special Enforcement Unit, Uniform Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Bureau, and a Communications/Records Section.
The Ames Police Department offers benefits including full medical coverage for employees and eligible dependents; life insurance; annual uniform allowance.
The salary range is very competitive, and officers are also eligible for overtime pay.
If you are looking for a great place to work as a law enforcement officer, the Ames Police Department should be at the top of your list.
8. Urbandale Police Department
The Urbandale Police Department is also a great place to work if you are interested in policing.
It was founded in 1955 and employs 73 sworn officers. The department is located on the southwest side of Des Moines, Iowa.
The Urbandale Police Department offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and a retirement savings plan.
Officers are also eligible for overtime pay, holiday pay, and compensatory time off.
The Urbandale Police Department is a great place to work as an officer, and if you are planning on applying for the job, be sure to check it out!
9. Sheriff Office of Plymouth County
The Sheriff’s Office of Plymouth County is also a great place to work as a law enforcement officer.
with a population of over 126,000 people. The office is responsible for law enforcement services in Plymouth County, Iowa.
The Sheriff’s Office of Plymouth County offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, and a retirement plan.
The office also offers a variety of career advancement opportunities for law enforcement officers that include detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain positions.
The office is also responsible for providing law enforcement services to the cities of Le Mars, Remsen, Sioux Center, and Spencer in Plymouth County.
10. Sheriff’s Office of Woodbury County
Woodbury County is one of the most popular counties in Iowa. It has a population of over 190,000 people and covers an area that extends across 48 miles long and 42 miles wide.
The Sheriff’s office provides law enforcement services to all unincorporated areas as well as cities located in Woodbury County including Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Lawton, and Moville.
The Sheriff’s Office of Woodbury County offers a competitive salary and benefits package to its employees that includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, and a retirement plan.
Units within the Sheriff’s Office of Woodbury County include Patrol, Investigations, Corrections, and Administration.
The Sheriff’s office is also responsible for providing emergency management services to the citizens of Woodbury County.
Final Thoughts
If you want to become an Iowa police officer or sheriff’s deputy, then the above information should help you in making a decision on where to apply.
It is important to remember that every law enforcement agency has its unique requirements when it comes to becoming employed with them.
These include physical fitness test scores, educational requirements, application and resume submission requirements, oral interview questions, background investigations, polygraph test results, drug tests results (urine or saliva), physical agility assessment results, and psychological evaluations.
So, it is important to research each law enforcement agency that you are interested in working for before applying.
FAQ About Police Jobs in Iowa
Below are some common questions that people have about law enforcement jobs in Iowa.
Q: What are the educational requirements for becoming a police officer or sheriff’s deputy in Iowa?
A: In order to become a police officer or sheriff’s deputy in Iowa, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Some agencies may require you to have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or law enforcement.
Q: How much do police officers and sheriff’s deputies make per hour?
A: Police officer salaries vary depending on the department that they work for, their rank within a specific agency (i.e., sergeant, lieutenant, captain), years of experience as a sworn officer, level of education, and the city or county that they work in.
The average salary for a police officer in Iowa is between $21.27 and $35.00 per hour.
Q: What benefits are offered to police officers and sheriff’s deputies in Iowa?
A: Most law enforcement agencies offer their employees a competitive salary.
They also provide medical, dental, disability, life insurance plans; paid vacation time; sick leave; retirement savings plans, etc.
Q: How long does it take to become a police officer or sheriff’s deputy in Iowa?
A: It takes at least one year of college courses and law enforcement training programs that are provided by accredited colleges, universities, and academies.
The time needed to complete these educational requirements will depend on the type of education program you choose (i.e., associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or certificate program).
Q: Are there any age restrictions for becoming a police officer or sheriff’s deputy in Iowa?
A: Yes, Iowa law enforcement agencies have age restrictions for becoming a police officer or sheriff’s deputy.
For example, the Sioux County Sheriff Office requires that you be at least 21 years old by the graduation date of their police academy in order to qualify for employment with them.
Q: Where can I find a list of law enforcement agencies in Iowa?
A: A good place to start is the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy website.
They have a comprehensive listing of all law enforcement agencies in the state of Iowa, including their contact information, website addresses, and the type of law enforcement that they provide (i.e., sheriff’s office or police department).
You should also check out the Iowa Judicial Branch website. Their list of law enforcement agencies is less comprehensive than the one on IA LEA’s website.
Q: How many law enforcement agencies are in Iowa?
A: As of 2019, there are over 350 law enforcement agencies in the state of Iowa.
This includes sheriff’s offices, police departments, tribal police departments, and campus police departments.
Q: Are all law enforcement jobs in Iowa dangerous?
A: No, not all law enforcement jobs in Iowa are dangerous.
However, law enforcement is a very demanding and risky profession.
That is why it is important to do your research before applying to any law enforcement agency in the state.
Q: Are there any jobs available for ex-offenders?
A: Yes, there are some law enforcement agencies in Iowa that will hire ex-lawbreakers.
However, it is important to note that being an officer requires you to carry a gun and make arrests.
If your conviction prohibits you from owning or carrying a firearm, then you may not be able to become a law enforcement officer in Iowa.
Q: What are the most popular law enforcement agencies in Iowa?
A: The most popular law enforcement agencies in Iowa are the Des Moines Police Department, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
These three agencies receive the majority of the job applications from law enforcement hopefuls every year.
Q: How much do Iowa police officers make?
A: The average salaries for sheriff’s deputies and police officers in Iowa are between $53,000 to $65,000 per year.
This will vary depending on where you work (i.e., city or rural area), your experience, and the level of education you have attained.
Q: Where can I find out about the latest jobs in law enforcement?
A: The best way to keep up with the latest police and sheriff’s deputy jobs is by signing up for Law Enforcement News Alerts.
Here, you will learn what specific positions are available at various Iowa law enforcement agencies across all counties of the state.
You can also find a comprehensive listing of all law enforcement agencies in Iowa on our job board.
