POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT

Recruitment #2401-6307-001

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Introduction

**IMPORTANT NOTICE**

Submitting a Preliminary Applicant Questionnaire will also be REQUIRED for this position. Details for submitting the Questionnaire will be emailed to applicants when their application is submitted.

**IMPORTANT NOTICE**

This position is ONLY open to individuals who are NOT currently POST certified as a law enforcement officer in another state or are NOT currently AZ POST certified.

The City of Tucson is seeking motivated, dedicated, adaptable, compassionate individuals that have a strong desire to serve the community as a Police Officer. The Tucson Police Department is a unique and diverse agency, dedicated to providing outstanding law enforcement services. This is an exciting career opportunity for applicants who have a passion for protecting life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. 

This is an extraordinary opportunity to work for the Tucson Police Department. It is crucial that applicants consider the following job elements before submitting an application: 

The training process is extensive; incumbents will attend an academy that is 24 weeks long and requires a high level of commitment and time dedication. Incumbents may spend over 12 hours per day, 4 days per week training at the academy. After completing the academy, candidates will continue their training in the field under the direct guidance of experienced field training officers. 

The probation period is 18 months. 

Employees will be required to work rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays. Overtime will be required, as necessary. 

While law enforcement can be a very rewarding career for many, employees will often respond to highly sensitive and graphic crime scenes and calls for service. 

The Hiring Process- Your steps:

1. Complete City of Tucson Application by 11:59 PM on April 22, 2024.

2. Complete Preliminary Applicant Questionnaire by 11:59 PM on April 22, 2024.

3. Receive the invitation to the Written Examination scheduled for May 15 and 18, 2024 (invitations will be provided via email no later than May 8, 2024).

4. If you pass the Written Examination, you will be notified by TPD HR and will continue with the next steps.

5. Contact from TPD Backgrounds to fill out your ESoph background information.

6. Extensive Background Investigation.

7. Polygraph Examination.

8. Selection Process.

9. If you pass the Background Investigation, Polygraph Examination and Selection Process, you will be sent a conditional job offer.

10. Medical (including Drug Screen) and Psychological Examinations.

11.  If you pass the Medical and Psychological Examinations, you will be sent a final job offer for an Academy start date of September 16, 2024.

General Description

Trains at the Police Academy as a new police recruit to learn the skills and functions of the job of police officer, under the guidance of experienced police staff.

Essential Functions

Attends the Police Academy to learn the skills and practices of a Police Officer.

Assists with performing patrol duties by traveling through designated areas, searching for suspicious, hazardous or criminal activity, conducting field interviews with suspected offenders and making arrests.

With another officer, responds to routine and emergency calls by contacting the reporting person and witnesses, and determining the nature of the call and action to be taken.

Assists with crime prevention by attending public meetings, enforcing criminal and traffic laws, and identifying gang members and criminals.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education Level & Type: High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Minimum Experience Qualifications: No experience required

Valid and Unrestricted Class D - Driver's License

Special Job Requirements

U.S. Citizenship

At least 21 years of age by academy graduation date

No felony convictions or drug abuse

Selection Plan

Applicants who successfully complete an employment application, meet minimum qualifications, and successfully complete the Preliminary Applicant Questionnaire, will receive an email invitation to attend the Written Examination no later than May 8, 2024.


Components 

Physical Fitness Assessment: 
The Tucson Police Department has decided to waive the physical test (PT) for applicant testing at this time. While it is not required for this hiring process, you will still be required to successfully complete the Arizona Peace Officers Standards (AZPOST) Police Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT) prior to graduation from the academy. 

Although the PT test will be waived during testing, all candidates preparing to enter the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center (SALETC) program are expected to arrive in shape and be prepared to participate in a rigorous physical fitness program. 

Information will be provided to candidates at the written exam as to how best to prepare for the physical aspects of the academy. 

After the Written Examination is completed, applicants will be invited to participate in an introduction to the POPAT. Police department physical training staff will be on hand to provide information about the test and the physical expectations of the academy training. Candidates are not required to participate, but it is highly encouraged as a way to gauge your physical readiness for the requirements of the police academy. Any candidate that would like to participate should bring clothes suitable for physical activity, to include athletic footwear. A changing facility will be made available, if desired.

Written Examination:
The Written Examination will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 and Saturday, May 18, 2024. You will have the opportunity to schedule which day you attend (you may only attend one of the testing dates). It is offered in-person only - there is no remote testing option. Please block your calendar now to ensure you will be able to attend the exam.

The Written Examination will take place at the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center at 10001 S. Wilmot Road, Tucson AZ 85756. 

Passing the Written Examination requires a 60% score or better. An applicant's ranking on the Civil Service Eligibility List will be 100% based on the final score from the Written Examination.

Veterans, Native American, or Disability preference points will be added to the achieved score for those that are placed on the Civil Service Eligibility List. If you qualify for Veteran or Native American preference points as outlined in your Employment Profile, you must submit your documentation either in-person at the time of the Written Examination, upload to your COT application or send via email to TPD_HR@tucsonaz.gov. Copies of DD 214s must reflect a characterization of service.

Applicants requiring an accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for any of the applicant evaluations must contact TPD_HR@tucsonaz.gov at least 48 hours prior to the particular evaluation. 

Civil Service Eligibility List: 
Applicants who pass the Written Examination will be placed on the Civil Service Eligibility List. The Civil Service Eligibility List will be utilized to fill vacancies occurring within the next 6 months. Candidates placed on the Eligibility List must successfully pass the following:
 
  • An extensive background investigation, including local, state and national criminal and fingerprint checks. 
  • Motor Vehicle History. 
  • A polygraph examination to verify information you have supplied in the background questionnaire. 
  • Pre-employment medical and psychological evaluations. 
  • Candidates must also continue to maintain all physical minimum standards through the duration of this recruitment process.
All probationary employees in this classification are subject to random drug screening during their EIGHTEEN MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD with the Tucson Police Department.

Conclusion

You are highly encouraged to print or save this bulletin as a PDF because it contains important testing dates and information that you will need to refer to later.  It will not be available after the closing date.

Communications throughout this process will be sent exclusively via email so please ensure your browser accepts emails from jobs@tucsonaz.gov and check your email account regularly.

You are encouraged to add jobs@tucsonaz.gov as a contact so that the email does not go into a spam folder. You are also encouraged to opt in to accepting text messages while completing the application. 

Failure to respond or follow instructions will result in disqualification.

All inquiries should be directed to the individuals listed below:

Carolyn Cruse, 520-837-7755 or email: Carolyn.Cruse@tucsonaz.gov

Pre-employment Medical Testing Requirements

AZ POST Physical

Respirator Physical

Hep A Vaccine/Titer

Hep B Vaccine/Titer

Non-NIDA Drug Test

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To ensure accurate payroll information for tax purposes, the successful candidate will need to provide their original Social Security Card or original letter from the Social Security Administration with their social security number prior to beginning work with the City of Tucson.

The City of Tucson hires lawful workers only - US citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization - without discrimination. Federal immigration laws require all employers to verify both the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. In its efforts to meet the law's requirements, the City of Tucson participates in the E-Verify program established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to aid employers in verifying the eligibility of workers.

Retired City of Tucson employees receiving benefits from the Tucson Supplemental Retirement System who are considering reemployment with the City should be aware that pursuant to Section 22-37(g) of the Tucson City Code, retirement benefits shall be suspended during the period of reemployment with the City of Tucson unless you have been separated at least twelve consecutive months before returning to work AND you return to a non-permanent employment classification. Creditable service does not accrue during any reemployment period.