Take The Challenge!

Become A Columbia Police Officer

• Watch a Video!
• How to Apply
• Police Training Facility Map
• Preliminary Background Booklet & Questionnaire
• Employment Applications
• Human Resource Department

Columbia has consistently ranked in the top 20 cities in America to live because of the low cost of living, low crime rate, and education level of the community.

Population 108,500

Home to the University of Missouri, Columbia College and Stephens College.

Five major hospitals, an outstanding public school system and state and city parks abound.

Police Department

• Annual 19 million dollar budget
• 160 sworn officers
• 34 Civilian personnel
• Officers work a twelve-hour day schedule (only work half the days of the month!)
• Specialized areas include the Investigative Bureau, Domestic Violence Enforcement Unit (DOVE), Traffic Unit, Public Relations Unit, Internal Affairs Unit, Vice/Narcotics/Organized Crime (VNOC) Unit, School Resource Officer, Downtown Unit, Training & recruitment Unit, and the K9 Unit.

Salary Range:

Current shift differential is 65 cents per hour for evening and night shifts.  Clothing allowance for plain clothes assignments is 44 cents per hour. Uniformed officers receive an equipment allowance of 31 cents per hour.

Career Development Program

Retirement Package

Officers may retire at 20 years of service at 60% of their highest three year average.  Officers who retire at 25 years of service will receive 70% of their highest three year average.  Benefits from the plan are in addition to your benefits from Social Security and supplemental deferred compensation plans.

Educational Assistance

Columbia police officers can participate in a tuition reimbursement program.

Benefits

• Uniforms
• Equipment (handgun, leather, etc.)
• Dry cleaning
• Ten days vacation per year, increases with tenure
• Ten holidays per year
• Up to six emergency leave days per year
• Accumulated sick leave (18 days per year), no maximum accrual
• Educational incentive program
• Shift differential
• Sick leave buyback
• Two- percent deferred compensation match

Eligibility:

Candidates must:

• Be at least 21 years of age by hire date
• Have 60 hours college course work from an accredited institution
• Possess/maintain valid driver's license/excellent driving record
• No serious criminal record
• Excellent work history and attendance record
• Officers must reside in within a 30 mile straight line radius of the city of Columbia and be eligible to work in the United States

Eligible candidates must:

• Pass a written examination
• Pass pre-employment physical agility test
• Pass a psychological test
• Pass a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer test
• Pass a medical physical
• Successfully complete police academy training
• Successfully complete field training program

For more information, contact:

Sgt. Mike Hestir
Training and Recruitment Unit
Columbia Police Department
600 East Walnut
Columbia, MO  65201-4491
573-874-7422
email:  pdu@GoColumbiaMo.com

Human Resources Department
City of Columbia
P.O. Box N
Columbia, MO  65205
573-874-7235