Only those individuals with courage, dedication, and preparation can become the City's finest.

As a Tucson Police Officer, you will be protecting life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances, which involves an element of personal danger. An officer must be able to act without direct supervision and must be able to exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies, and accept work assignments of rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays.

What It Takes
It will take high ethical standards, integrity, leadership, courage, and team-oriented work to become a City of Tucson Police Officer. The career demands individuals to be mature and have personal responsibility that is in line with TPD’s values and code of ethics. These are the minimum requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be 21 years or older upon completion of the training academy
• Must have have a high school education or equivalent
• Must have no criminal or drug abuse history
• Must have a good driving record

However, to serve in our progressive agency, you may need more than the minimums. Applicants also need to be progressive; ideally, candidates may, in addition to the requirements, possess accredited college credits. (Note: future recruitments may require college credits as a minimum.)

Salary & Benefits
Upon appointment to the TPD Academy, the starting salary is currently $45,510 with anticipated annual increases to $60,986.

A career as a Tucson Police Officer offers many benefits including:

• $1,060 uniform & equipment allowance
• Working four, 10-hour shifts
• 13 days each of sick & vacation leave per year, to start
• 10 paid holidays
• 30 days of military leave every two years
• An education reimbursement program
• Choices of medical and dental insurance plans at minimal cost to you
• A public safety retirement plan that pays 50% of your salary at 20 years of service; those who complete 32 years will receive 80% of their salary
• Second language pay
• Career Enhancement Program

Career Opportunities
TheTucson Police Department offers over 40 special assignments to officers; most are available after only three years of continuous service. These include:

• Field Training Officer
• Lead Police Officer
• Academy Class Counselor
• Gang Unit
• Bicycle Patrol
• Motorcycle Unit
• Air Support Unit
• Service Dog Unit
• SWAT
• And many more

A 5% pay increase is included with many special assignments. We also have promotional ranks that include Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. The positions of Captain, Assistant Chief, and Deputy Chief are appointments made by the Chief of Police.

Selection Process
Applicants start with the Online Prescreening Process to determine if the minimum requirements are met in the areas of: citizenship, education, age, driving record, and drug & criminal history. This is later followed by the Written Exam. There is not a study guide. Upon successful competition of the Online Prescreening Process and the Written Exam, TPD will further evaluate successful candidates to ensure that only those individuals who possess the character and preparation for Police Officer are selected. These evaluations include:

• TPD hiring interview
• Physical Fitness Evaluation
• Extensive background investigation
• Polygraph
• Medical examination
• Psychological assessment

Since most of these evaluations are pass/fail, only the most successful applicants will continue in the testing process. A more detailed account of the different processes the Police Department uses is listed in the in the Recruit Information Package.

Training
This recruitment will be establishing a list of applicants to be considered for the next available academy. Individuals selected for the academy must complete a Basic Academy (approximately 16 weeks), Post Academy (approximately five weeks), and a Field Training Program (approximately 15 weeks). An individual must successfully complete an 18-month probationary period, starting from appointment to the academy, in order to attain permanent status.

Important Police Officer (Recruit) Employment Information

Employment Procedures

1. Download and read the Recruit Information Package. It explains in detail our recruitment process.
2. You must apply online with the City of Tucson Human Resources Department. Select “Register to Apply Online” if you are not currently registered.
3. If successful on the exam(s), your name will be placed on the eligibility list according to your score for "certification" to the department for consideration as vacancies occur. Placement on a list does not guarantee you employment.
4. Individuals selected for employment will be required to take a medical examination at City expense. Do NOT resign your current position until you are notified that you have passed the exam and have received a definite starting date. Additionally, selected individuals will be required, in accordance with Federal law, to provide documentation showing citizenship.
5. Employees serve an eighteen-month "probationary period" prior to attaining "permanent" status.

Affirmative Action
The City of Tucson is an equal employment opportunity employer, implementing an Affirmative Action Program adopted by the Mayor and Council. Minorities, women, those over 40, and citizens with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply for City employment.

Preference Points
Five veterans points will be added to the passing score of any applicant who was honorably discharged after six months active service in a U.S. armed force. This also applies to the spouse of a person who died while in military service, was missing in action for at least 90 days , or was a prisoner of war. Five points will be added to the passing score of any applicant with a disability which substantially limits one or more major life activities. When applicable, five points will be added to the passing score of Native Americans with appropriate documentation of Tribal enrollment.

Benefits Information

• Vacation, Sick Leave, & Holidays
  Each employee earns a minimum of 13 days per year vacation leave and 13 days sick leave at the rate of one-half day per pay period. The City observes ten holidays per year.
• Retirement
  The City participates in the Public Safety Retirement System for Commissioned Police/Fire employees. Both the Employee and the City contribute into the system which pays lifetime benefits in accordance with the plan.
• Insurance
  Medical, life, and short-term disability insurance coverage is provided for all probationary/permanent employees of the City. Dental insurance, additional life insurance, and spouse life insurance is also offered. Eligible dependents may be included in the medical and dental plans. All insurance options will be explained at a new employee orientation shortly after an employee starts work.

Community
Tucson, a multi-cultural southwestern city of more than 500,000 people, has an average of 360 days of sunshine per year. Such beautiful weather makes Tucson a haven for all kinds of outdoor sports ranging from year-round swimming to horseback riding. A short drive will take you to the totally different environment of Mt. Lemmon where there's good skiing every winter. Just an hour away you can enjoy the color of the Mexican border town, Nogales.

TPD Recruiters
520-791-4499 Ext. 1614 or 1610
Toll free number: 1-888-923-6551

Accommodations for applicants with disabilities can be made by calling
520-791-4241

City of Tucson Human Resources Department
255 West Alameda
Tucson, AZ 85701

Mailing Address
P.O. BOX 27210
Tucson, AZ 85726-7210

An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer