Police Officer Lateral/Recurit

DEPARTMENT : POLICE DEPARTMENT
FLSA : NON-EXEMPT
CIVIL SERVICE : INCLUDED
BARGAINING UNIT : F.O.P./POLICE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION

A. APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Submit resume at www.cityofwaterlooiowa.com by clicking on Career Opportunities
  2. Review the Police Officer Lateral/Recruit descriptions and follow directions to upload your resume (mandatory) and cover letter (optional).
  3. We do not accept mailed, faxed, hand-delivered, or emailed resumes to any other email addresses.
  4. Do not submit a resume/cv directly to the Waterloo Police Department – it will not be processed.
  5. We WILL NOT process the resume/application of any candidate who failed ANY portion of a background investigation within three years from the date of rejection.
  6. APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, May 31st, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.

B. APPLICANT INCENTIVES:
Lateral Police Officers:
    • Starting Pay: Salary --$32.69/hr. - $38.12/hr. (to increase 07/01/2024)
    • ALL Certified Police Officers receive credit for up to five (5) years of service as a certified police/peace officer; this results in a placement within the salary steps/schedule commensurate with approved years of service from $32.69/hr. - $38.12/hr.
    • Certified Iowa Peace Officers receive a $5,000.00 bonus in two (2) payments of $2,500.00.
      • 1st disbursement paid after only 30 days of employment.
      • 2nd disbursement paid upon completion of Field Training Program (FTO) and assignment to solo patrol.
    • The Waterloo Police Department will pay off pending law enforcement contracts from within the state of Iowa-up to $8,000.00. The contract payoff is:
      • Awarded upon successful completion of the FTO Program and assignment to solo patrol.
      • Made on behalf of the officer to another agency to fulfill prior contract terms.
    • Officers with up to two (2) years or more experience receive:
      • Forty (40) hours of vacation credit after successfully completing the FTO Program
      • Automatically increases to 112 hours of vacation credit upon one (1) year of service.
    • Officers with more two (2) or more years of experience receive:
      • Eighty (80) hours of vacation credit after successfully completing the FTO Program.
      • Automatically increases to 160 hours of vacation credit after one year of service
    • Eighty (80) hours of sick leave credit upon hire.
    • Any applicant possessing current certification in the State of Iowa is exempt from the WPD physical fitness test and written examinations as long as the applicant is currently employed as a law enforcement officer in the State of Iowa or has not been employed as a law enforcement officer in the State of Iowa for no longer than six months.
    • All applicants must participate in the oral interview portion of the testing.
    • Applicants are eligible for discounted college tuition via membership to the Fraternal Order of Police***
Non-Certified Applicants:
  • Starting Pay: Salary --$32.69/hr. ($67,995.20/yr.) (to increase 07/01/2024)
  • Anyone police officer hired by the Waterloo Police Department who qualifies for the abbreviated ten (10) week Iowa Law Enforcement Academy is eligible to receive a one-time bonus of $4000.00.
    • A one-time bonus will be paid upon successful completion of the FTO Program and graduation from the Academy.
  • Applicants are eligible for discounted college tuition via membership to the Fraternal Order of Police***

ALL APPLICANTS:
  • Any recipients (LATERAL OR NON-CERTIFIED) of bonus payments listed above (B 1-2) will be required to enter into an agreement to reimburse the Waterloo Police Department upon voluntarily resignation within four (4) years of hire. The repayment schedule will be pro-rated as follows:
    • If the Officer resigns less than one year after hire, one hundred (100%) percent.
    • If the Officer resigns with between one and two years of tenure, seventy-five (75%) percent.
    • If the Officer resigns with between two and three years of tenure, fifty (50%) percent.
    • If the Officer resigns with between three and four years of tenure, twenty-five (25%) percent.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
  • This is an entry level position responsible for protection of life and property, prevention of crime through patrol and/or directed activities, enforcement of state and local laws and ordinances relating to criminal and traffic violations, and providing solutions to crime through preliminary investigation, identification, apprehension and conviction of criminals; other duties as assigned. The work in this job category:
    • Is under the general direction of a Police Sergeant
    • Requires critical decision-making, and
    • The exercise of independent judgment and initiative.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  1. Must be 18 years of age by the application deadline date, with a minimum of two years post high school life experience. Verification of birth date will be required.
  2. Uncorrected vision not less than 20/100 in both eyes, corrected to 20/20, and color vision consistent with the occupational demands of law enforcement as verified as part of a post job-offer physical examination. (Applicant will operate emergency/police vehicles in a variety of weather conditions and at night, must be able to identify suspects accurately, must be able to move quickly and safely to apprehend suspects, or respond to and report on traffic accidents, perform traffic control and watch duties. Applicant must be able to identify suspect clothing and vehicles, see and respond to traffic lights whether or not on a call or in vehicle pursuit)
  3. Normal hearing in each ear as verified as part of a post job-offer physical examination. Hearing aids are acceptable if a candidate can demonstrate sufficient hearing proficiency to perform all necessary duties of a law enforcement officer. (Must be Able to communicate through the police radio, engage in active communication with members of the public and other officers.)
  4. United States citizenship and able to provide proof of citizenship documentation upon request; resident of Iowa or intend to become a resident upon employment; willing to comply with the City of Waterloo Residency Policy for Critical Employees within two years of hire date (must live within thirty-mile radius of Waterloo City Hall).
  5. High school graduate or equivalent certificate that meets at minimum the lowest graduate scoring requirements by the State of Iowa as determined by the State Department of Public Instruction, by the application deadline date. WPD requires verification of high school graduation/equivalent post hire.
  6. No current alcohol or drug addiction; must have been rehabilitated for at least one year and not presently undergoing treatment; must successfully pass a multi-panel drug test as part of a post job-offer physical examination. Please review drug use standards under “Background Investigation.”
  7. Legally able to carry a weapon and/or firearm; an employee who loses this right will be immediately terminated.
  8. Able to speak, understand, read, and write the English language.
  9. Must possess a current driver's license from the state of residence and good driving record based on City of Waterloo driver performance criteria. A candidate with any of the following will not be considered for employment:
    • Loss of license for any reason during the period of candidacy for employment.
    • If the candidate remains without a valid current license for the position when the City issues an offer of employment.
    • Loss of license, plea of guilty, plea of no contest or its equivalent or conviction for OWI, reckless driving or other major moving violation within the previous five years.
    • Four or more citations for moving violations within the previous three-year period, excluding speeding violations of 10 mph or less over the posted speed limit.
    • Three or more citations for moving violations within the previous one-year period.
    • After appointment to the position, disciplinary action or continuing employment status may be reviewed for the following:
      • Four or more moving violations within the previous three years.
      • Three or more moving violations within the previous one year or loss of license or conviction for OWI, reckless driving or other major moving violation within the previous five years.
      • Two or more at-fault accidents within a three-year period while driving on City business.
  10. Must obtain an Iowa driver's license prior to employment.
  11. An applicant's driving record will be reviewed at the time of application, prior to certification of the Civil Service List and prior to an offer of employment. After hire, there will be an annual driving record review.
  12. Must be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation including a fingerprint search conducted of local, State and national fingerprint files and must not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude. The City of Waterloo Police Department conducts a post job-offer polygraph test; any candidate who fails to meet these standards (as determined by the Chief of Police) will be eliminated from consideration.
  13. Is not, by conscience or belief, opposed to the application/use of force when necessary to fulfill job duties.
  14. Following a conditional offer of employment, the City of Waterloo and the State of Iowa require a physical examination by a physician of the City's choice; the physical examination includes a drug test to determine if an applicant is capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of this job classification.
  15. Required to submit to and pass a Civil Service Examination testing instrument that includes written cognitive (basic skills) testing, physical fitness testing, polygraph, psychological and oral interview testing.
  16. If hired, required to obtain, and maintain State of Iowa certification for Police Officer by attending training classes at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy or other educational institutions, as approved. Failure to successfully complete this program or maintain these standards for any reason will result in termination.
WORK SCHEDULE
  • The Waterloo Police Department operates 24-hour a day/7 days a week. The Department determines work based upon seniority within the Department. All sworn officers will work weekends, holidays and overtime as scheduled or needed. If assigned to a special task force or special unit, actual work hours may vary from regularly assigned shift hours. May be required to work on-call. Must be available to attend court and depositions and be available during emergencies and to attend meetings as required.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
  • PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST
    • Applicants who meet the minimum requirements, and apply by the deadline date, will be required to pass a physical fitness test as mandated by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. The test will be administered and scored by personnel from the Waterloo Police Department. All candidates must show a picture ID in order to participate in the Fitness Test. The physical fitness test will be held at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15th, 2024 at Young Arena, 125 Commercial Street, Waterloo IA 50701. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. with testing to commence at 8:00 a.m.
    • No physical fitness test is required for candidates who passed the physical fitness test within the previous three months. Individuals who qualify under this section who passed (March 1, 2024-June 1, 2024) are not required to retest.
    • The candidate must notify the Waterloo Police Department and arrange verification of scores on the physical fitness test to be sent directly from another testing City or County. That agency may email them to farmera@waterloopolice.com. The results must be received prior to June 12, 2024. If results are not received by this date, the applicant will be required to complete physical fitness testing.
    • All applicants who participate in the physical fitness test are required to sign a waiver holding the City of Waterloo, the Civil Service Commission, the owner of the location where the physical fitness test is conducted and any/all agents, officials and employees of the City of Waterloo harmless from any liability that may arise or allegedly arises from participation in the physical fitness test.
    • The examination will be graded on a pass/fail scoring system. There will be no make-up date for the physical fitness test. Each applicant will receive immediate notification upon completion of the test of a passing or failing score.
    • Failure to pass ALL sections of the physical fitness test will eliminate the candidate from further testing.
POLICE OFFICER SELECTION TEST (P.O.S.T.) WRITTEN EXAM
  • Applicants who have taken and passed the P.O.S.T. in the State of Iowa within the previous six months of the deadline for resumes (December 1, 2023-June 1, 2024) will not be required to take the P.O.S.T. test again. The candidate must notify the Waterloo Police Department by email at farmera@waterloopolice.com by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024, of their intent to use another score. The city will obtain a certified copy of the candidate’s best passing score by contacting the testing service.
  • Those applicants who are not using a past score will be required to participate in a written examination designed by Stanard & Associates, as mandated by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. This examination consists of four sections with 75 questions. The sections are (1) Reading, (2) Writing, (3) Mathematics, and (4) Incident Report Writing. All sections of the POST examination are timed bound and require individual scoring per section. An applicant must score at least 70% on each individual section to pass the test.
  • A study guide and practice test is available for purchase by accessing this site: https://www.ApplyToServe.com/Study/
  • If an applicant has taken the P.O.S.T. in another jurisdiction within the preceding year but is not within the six-month window to use a previous score, he/she will be required to take an alternate version of the examination for the City of Waterloo. If an applicant has taken all versions of the P.O.S.T. within the preceding year, the City of Waterloo will obtain permission from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy to retest the candidate on the first version of the test the candidate took. We do not accept scores from out of state P.O.S.T. examinations.
  • The P.O.S.T. test will occur immediately after completion of the Physical Fitness Test, with check-in at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 15th, 2024, at the Waterloo Center for the Art, 225 Commercial St, Waterloo IA 50701. This building is across the street from Young Arena, and you will be able to see it from the Arena.
  • All applicants must show a state driver’s license or state picture I.D. card in order to participate in the written examination. There will be no make-up date for the P.O.S.T.
  • Failure to obtain a passing grade in all sections of the written exam will eliminate the candidate from further testing.
  • NOTE TO ALL APPLICANTS: The Waterloo Police Department will host an overview of the POST test process and offer a workshop involving sample POST questions on Monday, June 10th, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. This is a courtesy to applicants and not a requirement; it will be held at Waterloo Police Department (Briefing Room), at 715 Mulberry St, Waterloo IA 50703. Please email farmera@waterloopolice.com if you plan on attending one of the sessions.
ORAL INTERVIEW
  • Candidates who already possess State of Iowa police officer certification or candidates who passed both the physical fitness and POST exams must appear before an interview panel. The interview panel will consist of a minimum of three people (one of which is a member of the Waterloo Human Rights Commission) who have expertise in the areas being tested. An individual must obtain a minimum average score of sixty points out of one hundred to achieve a passing score on the interview. A specific interview date/time will be assigned after other testing has been completed. The interviews are tentatively scheduled for June 17-19, 2024.
SCORING
  • Those individuals who successfully complete the oral interview will have their final scores determined by taking an average of their oral interview scores plus any veteran’s preference, City employee, education and residency points as outlined below:
    • Applicants who qualify, as outlined, and are full-time regular employees of the City of Waterloo will have one additional point per full year of employment up to a maximum of five points added to their final score.
    • Honorably discharged members from the United States who qualify per provisions of Chapter 35 of the Code of Iowa and who are citizens and residents of the United States earn five additional points added to their final score upon submission of their DD214, or ten points added if they were awarded a Purple Heart or have a service-connected disability.
    • Applicants who earned a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university (appropriate accreditation at sole discretion of City of Waterloo) (must have verification of degree by providing a copy of final transcripts at the time of interview) will have five (5) additional points added to their final score.
    • Applicants who earned a Master’s Degree (or Juris Doctorate, or above) from an accredited college or university (appropriate accreditation at sole discretion of City of Waterloo) (must have verification of degree by providing a copy of final transcripts) will have ten (10) additional points added to their final score.
    • Applicants who have been a resident of Waterloo, Iowa for a minimum of three years as of the date of the written exam will have five additional points added to their final score.
    • The top thirty applicants, as ranked by their total points, as outlined will be the individuals placed on the certified list. However, potential future employment will be contingent upon possession of a good driving record based on City of Waterloo driver performance criteria, passing a State mandated physical examination including a drug test, successful completion of a background investigation including a fingerprint check and polygraph test, and successfully passing the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Test II (MMPI II) as mandated by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
  • All applicants certified on the Civil Service Lists will be required to sign an Employee Reimbursement Agreement prior to consideration for employment. Failure to sign this agreement will eliminate the candidate from further consideration and their name will be removed from the Civil Service List.
POLYGRAPH TEST & BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:
  • In order to be employed as a Police Officer with the City of Waterloo Police Department, a candidate is required to meet certain minimum qualifications as indicated in this job description. Whether a candidate meets these minimum qualifications will be determined by the use of a background investigation, a post job offer polygraph test, and one or more interviews by law enforcement personnel. Questions will cover all areas of the minimum qualifications. Questions will also include but not be limited to the following:
    • Driving Record
      • A candidate will not be considered for employment at any time if they have been convicted of perjury or making false statements during driver's licensing procedures.
      • Must possess a current driver's license from the state of residence and good driving record based on City of Waterloo driver performance criteria.
      • Must hold a valid Iowa driver’s license to be certified by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. A candidate with any of the following will not be considered for employment: loss of license for any reason during the period of candidacy for employment, if the candidate remains without a valid, current license for the position when the City issues an offer of employment; loss of license, plea of guilty, plea of no contest or its equivalent or conviction for OWI, reckless driving or other major moving violation within the previous five years; four or more citations for moving violations within the previous three-year period, excluding speeding violations of 10 mph or less over the posted speed limit; three or more citations for moving violations within the previous one-year period.
      • Conviction of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude, as defined by written regulations of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, will disqualify a candidate.
      • A candidate who gives false or misleading information on the employment application, the Personal History Statement, during a background interview by the Police Chief or his designee, or as part of the polygraph testing process will be disqualified.
      • A history of illegal drug use will disqualify the candidate.
      • Use of marijuana or any of its derivatives within two (2) years of the deadline for submission of the resume.
      • Use of any other illegal drug or the abuse of a legal substance in the last five (5) years or experimentation that goes beyond two (2) uses.
      • Use of any illegal drug after becoming a candidate.
      • The illegal sale, delivery, or manufacture of any drug.
      • The candidate is eligible and able to obtain a permit to carry weapons under Iowa law.
      • Indications of deception perceived by the polygraph test may disqualify a candidate.
MMPI II EXAMINATION
  • Prior to an applicant being hired from the Civil Service Certified List, the applicant must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment personality test, as mandated by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, that measures those attributes that are determined to be most relevant to one's success as a police officer. A psychologist conducts the MMPI II and an interview with all applicants.
  • The test measures five categories:
    • 1) Validity
    • 2) Personal adjustment
    • 3) Interpersonal relations
    • 4) Behavioral stability
    • 5) Employment objectives
  • The examination consists of 567 true/false questions. The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy has mandated the MMPI II Personality Test successfully be completed prior to an applicant being hired.
  • Applicants taking the MMPI II will receive a rating in one of several categories: A, B, B?, C, C?, retest, D, or E. An applicant receiving a retest, D rating, or E rating will undergo further psychological evaluation prior to employment and may be eliminated from consideration. An applicant with an A rating, B rating, or C rating could be required to undergo further evaluation, prior to employment, if deemed necessary by the Chief of Police or the contracted psychologist and could result in removal from the Certified Civil Service List based on that evaluation.
Underrepresented Minority, LGBTQIA+, female& persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. A.A. /E.E.O.

***This program is offered through a third party, Fraternal Order of Police. Officer must be a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. This program can be altered or canceled at their discretion. Click Here to Apply