INCENTIVES
The St. Louis County Police Department offers shift differential pay for those who qualify. In addition, the Department offers tuition reimbursement and education incentives for officers who possess a degree of higher education from an accredited institution. They shall receive the following addition to their base rate of pay:
Associate's degree: $1,200/year
Bachelor's degree: $2,400/year
Master's degree: $4,800/year
Doctorate degree: $7,200/year
Education incentive pay is subject to confirmation by Human Resources and will include proof of an official transcript awarding or conferring the degree.
COMPETITIVE SELECTION PROCESS
Under the regulations of the Police Department, all appointments to the St. Louis County Police Department are made on the basis of a continuously open, competitive hiring process conducted under the supervision of the Personnel Services Unit. Each applicant must successfully complete each stage of the selection process before becoming eligible to proceed to the next step. The selection steps, in their order, take up to four months to complete:
PRELIMINARY APPLICATION REVIEW: A review of the electronic/paper application will be conducted by the Personnel Services Unit for initial verification of qualifications.
RECORD CHECK: A police record check will be conducted and applicants will be fingerprinted.
PISTOL TRIGGER PULL TEST: Applicants will be required to complete a trigger pull test of 25 pulls of the pistol trigger with their dominant hand in 1 minute and 13 pulls of the pistol trigger with their non-dominant hand in 1 minute. A Department issued empty weapon will be used to administer the test with a barrel plug in place.
WRITTEN TEST: Administration of a reading and comprehension test, followed by a Personnel Evaluation Profile questionnaire, will be given to assist in the initiation of the background investigation. The written exam will be waived for applicants with five (5) or more years of full-time police experience.
PHYSICAL AGILITY ASSESSMENT: A physical agility assessment shall be conducted at the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy. This assessment will include sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5 mile run. Applicants are expected to meet the minimum requirements in each category. A limited amount of applicants will be scheduled per session with each session lasting approximately two to three hours. A score for rating each applicant will be given.
For more on the physical agility assessment watch this video: youtube.com/watch?v=d5AlQE3biiE. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants will be provided with a Personal History Questionnaire and supporting documents to determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the position. A thorough background investigation will be conducted on all police applicants in the areas of past employment record and reputation, personal references, neighborhood reputation, police record check, credit history and military record (when applicable). The background investigation is concluded with a polygraph examination in an attempt to verify information received from and about the applicant. Results of the polygraph examination are confidential and will be considered with the applicant's total file.
COMMANDER'S INTERVIEW: A further evaluation to determine the candidate's overall fitness for the position, including self-expression, mental alertness and suitability for police duties will be conducted by the Personnel Services Commander or a designee.
FINAL REVIEW BOARD: This is the final determination toward an offer of conditional appointment. High-ranking Department officials provide the final evaluation of the candidate to the Chief of Police. This evaluation may result in an offer of conditional employment or an end to the current selection process.
REAPPLICATION: In the event an applicant is eliminated during any phase of the process, reapplication may not be made for six months unless circumstances indicate that an earlier review may be warranted.
PHYSICAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS: These examinations will be given after a conditional offer of employment by a Department designated physician and psychologist and shall consist of various organic tests to determine the applicant's suitability for the rigors of police work and their ability to participate in an increasingly difficult physical training program as a recruit at the Police Academy. The psychological exam will be used to determine the applicant's suitability for police work. If a Department designated physician or psychologist finds that the applicant meets physical and psychological standards for employment, the applicant will be appointed.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Academy recruits are on probation while attending the Academy. Experienced police officers who are hired and Academy recruits who are promoted to Police Officer serve a 12 month probationary period.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The Board of Police Commissioners resolved that subject to all applicable State and Federal statutory or judicial exemptions, all qualified applicants for employment and/or advancement, whether commissioned or civilian, shall be given equal opportunity for consideration, selection, appointment and retention, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or political affiliation.