how to become a police officer in Arkansas

Arkansas requires police officer candidates to pass a written exam, a review by a board, and graduation from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy. Before any of that happens, however, candidates must meet a number of minimum qualifications.

Requirements To Become a Police Officer In AR

All candidates must be U.S. citizens at least 21 years old and have a current, valid driver’s license and a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Visual requirements are 20/100 uncorrected that must correct to 20/20.

In addition, male candidates must have registered with the U.S. Selective Service or be exempt from registrations. Selective Service registration is not required for females. The final minimum requirement is the ability to read, write and speak English.

Police Department Potential disqualifying factors

• Any candidate who meets these minimums faces additional scrutiny for disqualifying factors before his or her application is accepted.
• Any felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction for domestic abuse, theft or crimes of moral turpitude will immediately disqualify a candidate, as will certain levels of drug use or illegal activity related to drug use. Abuse of alcohol is a disqualifying factor.
• Any one discharged from the U.S. military for unsuitability, unfitness or other misconduct may not be a police officer in Arkansas. Anyone found to be a member of an organization deemed to be subversive may not become a police officer in the state.
• If an individual has previously used an alias to defraud, mislead or evade is disqualified, and lying during the selection process will be grounds for immediate disqualification. Lying will be difficult in Arkansas. All candidates must take a polygraph. Refusal to submit to a polygraph or medical or psychological exams is a disqualifier.

Police Academy Requirements in Arkansas

Candidates who meet the minimum requirements and have no disqualifying factors will be selected if they successfully complete the Basic Police Training Course and a physical assessment test. The physical test has some very specific requirements and every candidate must complete each of the five elements successfully. They include:

• Standing Vertical Jump of at least 13 inches;
• At least 24 sit-ups in one minute;
• A minimum of 17 push ups in one minute;
• Running 300 meters in 78.4 seconds or less;
• Running 1.5 miles in 18:37 minutes or less.

The Basic Police Training Course requires a minimum of 432 hours of instruction at a certified training school with a passing grade of at least 70 percent in each academic area and a passing score on the approved firearms course.

Candidates who successfully complete the selection and training process and are hired as a police officer in Arkansas will be probationary officers for at least 12 months. In addition, all police officers must receive certification from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement and Training www.clest.org. Details and specifics about standards in Arkansas can be on the commission’s website at www.clest.org/clest_home.html, specifically under regulation 1002.

Police Officer, State Trooper & Deputy Sheriff Salaries in Arkansas

According to the department of labor statistics (2018), police officers and deputy sheriff’s in Arkansas make between $39,560 annually. However the annual pay provided by BLS was base pay focused only. Meaning the data collected by BLS did not include overtime pay, special assignment pay or third party details.

The pay scale provided by BLS is a little low when you factor in all the extra income a police officer can make throughout the year. I’d wager that the majority of police officers in Arkansas when you include off duty assignments and overtime pay makes around 50k and higher per year.

Law Enforcement Jobs in Arkansas

There are plenty of law enforcement jobs available in Arkansas. Below are the complete list of law enforcement agencies in Arizona. If you want to search for L.E. jobs in your area, visit our job center.

HISTORY OF THE STATE TROOPER 

The first recruits were commissioned in 1935 following the enactment of legislation creating what is known today as the Arkansas State Police. There were hundreds of applicants, but only thirteen were chosen.

The bravery of the original Rangers, as they were first known, is legendary and from their numbers grew a premier law enforcement agency comprised of professionals known by Arkansans today as Troopers.

For many years, the Arkansas State Police was the only semblance of law enforcement along many Arkansas highways. The Rangers and their modern day successors have a reputation of being lawmen above reproach and committed to providing he highest quality of law enforcement services to the people of Arkansas.

Those who wear the badge of the Arkansas State Police carry with them dedication and pride compounded with years of respect from Arkansas’ citizens. The modern day Troopers of
the Arkansas State Police stand ready to serve with knowledge, tools and a pledge to answer the challenges of 21st century law enforcement duties.

For those who will answer the call today to be a State Trooper, the Arkansas State Police is prepared to give each recruit the essential training in the state’s most modern police/academic facility.

The primary duties of the Arkansas State Police are patrol and enforcement actions along the state roads and highways. However, the State Police provides the state’s largest resource of specialized law enforcement officers to assist county and local jurisdictions.

State Police Special Agents and Troopers routinely work closely with local police and sheriff’s departments across the state on various missions including search and rescue operations, criminal cases, SWAT operations and executive support.

TROOPER APPLICANT HIRING PROCESS*
*The information below my have changed, please visit the official webpage of the law enforcement agency you’re interested in working for.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Must be a U.S. citizen
2. Must be a minimum of age 21 years old
3. Must possess a current and valid driver license
4. Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED equivalency
5. Must have minimum visual acuity of 20/100 (uncorrected); corrected to 20/20
6. Must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, or otherwise be exempt
7. Must possess the ability to read, write and speak the English language

Disqualifiers:

1. Any felony conviction
2. Misdemeanor convictions involving crimes of domestic abuse, theft or moral turpitude
3. Alcohol abuse
4. Discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States for unsuitability, unfitness or other instances of
misconduct
5. Membership in a subversive organization
6. Use of an alias with the purpose to defraud, mislead or evade
7. Any intentional misrepresentation, falsification or omission of any material fact during the selection process
8. Refusal to submit to the polygraph, medical or psychological examinations
9. Refusal to sign any document or release as required by the Arkansas State Police

Selection Process:

1. Submission of the Arkansas State Police Initial Contact Form
2. Successful completion of the following steps:
a. Written examination
b. Physical assessment test *
Consult with your recruiter if you have concerns about
your ability to pass the physical assessment test.
c. Polygraph examination
d. Background investigation
3. Interview before an Arkansas State Police Applicant Interview Board
4. Interview with the Director of the Arkansas State Police (or designee)
5. Review and approval by the Arkansas State Police Commission
6. Passing recommendation from a medical examination
7. Passing recommendation from a psychological examination

Physical Fitness Assessment Test Battery

*Each applicant must successfully complete each of the five tasks in order to continue in the selection process.

1. Standing Vertical Jump
Applicant will stand next to a wall with either arm extended and touch the wall at a point as high as
possible. The first “touch” will be the start mark. The applicant will have three attempts to jump with the
extended arm and hand to increase the height of the second mark. A maximum height needed to pass
the test is 13 inches.
2. Maximum Sit-Ups (1 minute)
The applicant will lie on their back with their knees bent at a 90o
angle and the heels on the mat or ground.
The feet may be together or apart, but the heels must remain in contact with the mat or ground. The feet
may be held and the fingers must at all times be interlaced behind the head. Do not arch the back or lift
the buttocks. A repetition is counted after the shoulder touches the mat or ground and the applicant then
touches the knees with their elbows. All resting will be done in the up position. Minimum number needed
to pass is 24.
3. Maximum Push-Ups (1 minute)
Hands should be placed approximately shoulder width apart. Feet may be together or up to twelve inches
apart. The applicant’s body must remain in a straight line from the shoulder to the ankles through the
exercise. A repetition is counted when the body is lowered to approximately four inches from the ground
and then returned to the “locked out” elbows position with straight back. All resting will be done in the up
position. Minimum number needed to pass is 17.
4. 300 Meter Run This will be a timed run with a group. Maximum time is :78.4 seconds.
5. 1.5 Mile Run This will be a timed run with a maximum allowable run time for successful completion of 18:37 (min/sec).