
Learn Pay Scale & Starting Salary for Missouri Cops, Job Openings, Requirements, Disqualification Factors, Application/Hiring Process
Missouri had the 8th lowest cost of living in the United States for the third quarter of 2019. In general, the most expensive places to live are Hawaii, Alaska, the Northeast, & the West Coast.
One of the benefits of working for a police agency in MO is the many career advancement opportunities available like SWAT, Detectives, drug unit, FTO, Canine handler, mounted patrol & more
Some law enforcement agencies in MO offer a bump in pay if you are bilingual, as well as tuition reimbursement if you want to pursue higher learning, Shift differential pay & much more.
Note: Some police agencies in MO will require that you pass a comprehensive background check before becoming a police officer for their agency (no exception).
Constitutional Law
Missouri Statutory Law
Traffic Law
Domestic Violence
Crisis Intervention/Domestic Violence
Child Abuse & Neglect
Jail Population Management
Processing & Documentation Procedures
Basic Security Principles
Skill Development
Defensive Tactics (PPCT) – Certification
Firearms – Multiple Qualification
Driver Training
Interviewing & Interrogation
Courtroom Testimony & Demeanor
Practical Application Exercises
DWI – NHTSA Certification
OC Spray (OCAT) – CertificationPatrol
Traffic Accident Investigation
Offense Investigations
Criminal Investigation
Report Writing
Juvenile Justice & Procedures
First Responder – National Certification
Interpersonal Perspectives
Human Behavior & Tactical Communications
Cultural Diversity
Community Problem Solving
Crime Prevention
Dealing with Death
Stress Management
Health, Fitness, & Nutrition
St. Louis County Deputy
St. Louis (SLMPD)
Clayton Police Department
Washington Police Department
Hannibal Police Department
Click below to search for police jobs near me in MO. Browse jobs by city/county or zip code
If you are looking to become a municipal police officer in Missouri, be prepared to pay your own way for basic academy training. In Missouri, peace officers must be licensed by the Missouri Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (POST).
Most departments require that you obtain that license before being hired and in order to get the license you complete mandatory basic training that is given at police academies and licensed colleges and universities around the state.
Enrolling in one of these schools is the first step to take on the path to becoming a peace officer in Missouri. You can find a list of these schools on the POST web site here.
The basic training curriculum will be between 400 and 600 hours, depending on the academy or institution chosen. It generally will be around 25 weeks. By state mandate part of the training will be 30 hours in the investigation and management of cases involving domestic and family violence.
A good site to look at to learn more about the examination process is this one.
There also are eligibility requirements to meet in order to be licensed. In Missouri they include:
If the minimum standards are met, the selection process to become a police officer is this:
Once these steps are completed, a candidate may receive a conditional offer of employment. However, they still have to pass:
Only after successfully completing these final steps can the final offer of employment be made by the police agency.
According to GoBankingRate, a police officer in the state of Missouri makes $47,080 per year. However the data collected by GoBankingRate aren’t very accurate because it does not record overtime pay or off duty work. These two factors, if included in the data, would increase the average salary of a police officer in MO.
There are several law enforcement job openings in Missouri. Simply visit our Career Job Opening or go to the official website of the agency you are interested in to complete an application of employment.
The Pre-Employment testing portion of the Trooper Selection Process is comprised of several phases, which include written examinations, a physical fitness for duty assessment, polygraph examination, background investigation, oral interview board, medical examination, drug screening, and a psychological examination and interview. You are expected to successfully complete each phase of the selection process to be considered for employment.
After each testing phase, you will receive written notification of your status. Due to this, it is imperative the Human Resources Division has a current mailing address and telephone number on file for you. You are responsible for immediately notifying Human Resources of any address or telephone number change. All individuals are notified of their status and informed of the application procedures for future testing periods.
A detailed explanation of each phase of the selection process is listed below:
NOTE: Preparation for the ALERT examination should include reading comprehension, writing skills, basic spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Since the PAF and FCS examinations relate to the applicant’s attitude, no preparation is necessary.
2. Fitness For Duty Assessment
The fitness for duty assessment was developed following an in-depth task analysis and validation study of the daily responsibilities an entry-level trooper performs. The assessment is comprised of eight events. A test monitor demonstrates each event while another test monitor simultaneously reads the event instructions. Applicants are encouraged and allowed time to ask questions necessary to thoroughly understand each event prior to their participation. This phase of the selection procedure is normally conducted at the Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City. Listed below is the name and description of each event:
NOTE: Preparation for the Fitness For Duty Assessment should include cardiovascular endurance, upper body strength, and overall body conditioning.
PRELIMINARY ELIGIBILITY LIST – The Human Resources Division combines scores achieved on the PAF, FCS, and Fitness for Duty Assessment. The ALERT is a pass/fail examination, therefore is not included with the other scores. Only top scoring applicants are selected to proceed within the selection process. Candidates for the polygraph examination and background investigation phases are selected from the preliminary eligibility list.
The applicant must undergo and successfully complete a polygraph examination, administered by a Patrol polygraphist. The examination is used to assist the background investigator in conducting a comprehensive investigation of an applicant. The main recording in the polygraph examination is blood pressure. The polygraph examination can be stressful for some applicants. Conditions such as hypertension, pregnancy, respiratory or heart ailments, etc., may affect the results of the polygraph examination. While there is no medical evidence that a polygraph examination effects a person’s health, applicants are encouraged to discuss this step with their physician prior to the examination to determine if it is suitable to be tested. If an accommodation is needed, the applicant must discuss that with the Human Resources Division at the time the examination is scheduled. Those applicants who are pregnant will not be tested until after the birth of the child. All applicants are required to sign a waiver form prior to taking the polygraph examination. The areas covered in the polygraph examination are as follows:
A uniformed member of the Patrol conducts an extensive pre-employment background investigation, in order to determine the applicant’s character and overall suitability for employment. Information obtained through the background investigation is held strictly confidential. To assist the background investigator, applicants are required to obtain a standard list of documents, such as:
5. Background Review and Oral Interview Board
Each applicant’s background investigation is submitted to a board composed of uniformed members who evaluate the information presented and assess the applicant in specific, pre-determined dimensions. The same board conducts an oral interview of the applicant in order to rate the individual’s oral communication skills and suitability for the position.
FINAL ELIGIBILITY LIST – The background review/oral interview board score is tabulated and added to the PAF, FCS, and Fitness for Duty scores in order to formulate a final eligibility list. Applicants are notified in writing of their standing within the selection process. Applicants not selected to continue are given instructions concerning application procedures for future processes. Selected applicants are extended a Conditional Offer of Employment.
6. Conditional Offer of Employment
Budget constraints and the number of vacant openings determine the exact number of applicants who receive a Final Offer of Employment. This offer is extended to applicants who successfully completed the medical examination, psychological evaluation, drug screening, and an overall final review. Additionally, applicants must sign a three-year commitment contract. This contract requires the applicant to remain employed with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for at least three years; otherwise, the applicant must reimburse the Patrol the cost of training and uniform expenses based upon a prorated basis.