Oklahoma City Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer

REQUIREMENTS 

•                     A citizen of the United States

•                     21-45 years of age *

•                     High School Diploma or GED

•                     Valid drivers license

•                     Good moral character

•                     Suitable emotional stability

•                     Meet the requirements of the State Police Pension Board

 

HOW TO BECOME AN OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE OFFICER

 

The goal of the Oklahoma City Police Department is to select the best possible applicants for employment.  Therefore, completion and advancement through the application process is based on ability and competition with other applicants.  Upon completion of each phase applicants will be contacted if they are to advance to additional steps.

 

                                                Application

 

Applicants interested in applying should:

 1) Mail or return the completed application and applicant questionnaire, a copy of your valid state driver's license to:

a. OCPD Recruiting Office
    800 N. Portland
    Oklahoma City, OK 73107

2)  Additional return only locations:

b. Oklahoma City Police Headquarters
    701 Colcord Dr.
    Oklahoma City, OK 73102

c. Hefner Briefing Station
    3924 NW 122 St.
    Oklahoma City, OK 73120

d. Will Rogers Briefing Station
    3112 N. Grand Blvd.
    Oklahoma City, OK 73112

e. Santa Fe Briefing Station
    9000 S. Santa Fe Ave.
    Oklahoma City, OK 73139

f. Springlake Briefing Station
    4014 N. Prospect Ave.
    Oklahoma City, OK 73111

 

You will be contacted by mail when your application has been received. Applicants are responsible for keeping their address and phone information current with the Recruiting Unit.  This information will not be taken over the phone, you must bring it in, mail it in, fax it in, or send it via e-mail from our website.

 

STEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Physical Fitness Evaluation

 

Applicants will participate in a series of strength-related exercises and timed running events. Failure to achieve the required fitness level in any category will result in disqualification from further processing at that time. Applicants who fail are allowed to retest after six months. 

 

All or part of the physical fitness evaluation may be administered again, prior to the beginning of recruit training, to ensure the applicant has maintained a proper fitness level.

 

*See page 10 for current fitness standards.

 

•                     Academy Aptitude Test

 

Must pass with a minimum score of 70%

 

This timed exam covers five areas:

1.     Vocabulary

2.     Reading Comprehension

3.     Basic Math Skills

4.     Definitions and Logic

5.     Visual Memory/Report Writing

 If applicant fails the test, they may retake it one additional time within a 12-month period.

 

•                     Background Investigation Book

Applicants who successfully complete the preceding phases, and are selected to continue processing, will be required to complete a Background Investigation Book. A Photostat copy of the following is required, if applicable:

 

1.     A recent passport style photograph.  Photograph will be head and shoulders only.

 

2.     Birth Certificate: Must be certified copy of original.

 

3.     High School Transcript: Must be certified copy

 

4.     G.E.D. Certificate and grades if applicable.

 

5.     College Transcript: Must be certified copy.

 

6.     Military Discharge: Copy of DD-214 (long form) must be provided. If separation date has not been reached a letter signed by commanding officer and stating date of separation and type of discharge must be provided.

 

7.     Naturalization certificate if applicable.

 

8.     Copy of Marriage license(s).

 

9.     Copy of divorce decree(s) if applicable.

 

10.  Copy of papers for any bankruptcy filing.

 

 

•                     Applicant Stability Rating Procedure

After completing the background book the applicant will be scheduled for an appointment with the coordinator.

The coordinator will review the book and interview the applicant to establish a stability rating.

 

•                     Polygraph Examination

 

Applicants selected to proceed will be scheduled for a polygraph examination with the police department examiner.

 

•                     Psychological Evaluation

 

Applicants will be evaluated for psychological suitability. This evaluation will include the completion of the California Personality Inventory (CPI). Selected applicants will undergo a comprehensive psychological evaluation by a trained psychologist.

 

•                     Background Investigation

 

Applicants that have successfully completed the above steps, and who are selected for continued processing, will be given a thorough background investigation.  At the conclusion of the background investigation, the recruiter will notify the applicant of their board date and time, or their ineligibility to proceed further at this time and any opportunities for re-application.

 

•                     Employment Assessment Board

 

The assessment board’s responsibility is to assess the applicant’s qualities, personal characteristics and ability to perform as a police officer.  A list of acceptable applicants is referred to the Chief of Police for his review.  An applicant rejected at this stage will be notified by the Recruiter of this decision and advised of any opportunities for re-application.

 

•                     Final Selection

 

The Chief of Police selects the applicants who will attend the Police Academy, pending successful completion of the medical examination and the Minnesota Multiphastic Personality Inventory (MMPI) exam.  Should the Chief of Police reject an applicant, they will be notified by the Recruiter of this decision and advised of any opportunities for re-application.

 

 

 

•                     Medical Examination

 

Applicants must meet the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System Physical Standards. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) will also be administered.

 

•                     Oklahoma City Police Department Academy

 

Hired applicants will begin employment as a Police Recruit in the Oklahoma City Police Department.  An academy lasts approximately 26 weeks and is a non-residential academy.  You are a paid employee while you attend and your uniforms and equipment are supplied to you.

 

·        Field Training Program

Upon successful completion of the academy, the recruit is assigned to a field training officer for approximately 4 months and must meet the minimum standards established by the FTO Program

APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED YEAR ROUND. YOUR APPLICATION IS CONSIDERED IN AN ACTIVE STATUS FOR TWO YEARS, UNLESS YOU WITHDRAW FROM THE PROCESS.  SHOULD YOU NOT BE SELECTED FOR EMPLOYMENT, YOUR RECRUITER WILL NOTIFY YOU.

TRAINING

 

The police recruit will attend the Oklahoma City Police Department Recruit Training Academy.  The course of instruction includes:

 

 Criminal Law

 Constitutional Law

 Emergency Vehicle Operation

 Firearms Training

 Self-Defense Tactics

 Principles of Investigation

 First Aid

 Minority Relations

 Police Community Relations and other subjects

Upon successful completion of the academy, the recruit will be a C.L.E.E.T. * Certified Police Officer and eligible for up to 30 college credit hours.  After graduation from the Academy, the recruit is assigned to a field-training officer for approximately 4 months and must meet the minimum standards established by the FTO Program

*Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training