Senior Police Officer (Certified)

Current Iowa certified law enforcement officers with the appropriate sworn, post-academy experience qualify for a Police Officer lateral transfer as outlined below:

• No less than 400 hours of certifying basic law enforcement training school;
• Two years of experience as a certified Police Officer in the State of Iowa after graduating from academy without a break in service of more than 12-months from the appointment date; and
• 60 semester college credit hours or above with a 'C' grade average; (Additional years of experience as a certified Police Officer will offset the required education, please see the Job Description).
• Candidates must have a valid Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Certification in good standing.

NOTE: Iowa Certified Police Officers selected for the lateral training officer program will participate in 4 to 6 weeks of knowledge, skills, and performance assessment, along with skills enhancement training. Those who successfully complete the lateral training officer program will enter field training. Officers who are deemed less prepared for field training and solo patrol responsibilities may be required to attend the full 24-week academy.

Current out-of-state certified law enforcement officers with the appropriate sworn, post-academy experience must meet the below requirements:

• No less than 400 hours of certifying basic law enforcement training school;
• Two years of experience as a Certified Police Officer after graduating from academy and without a break in service of more than 12-months from the appointment date and with the ability to become Certified with the State of Iowa within 120 days of appointment date; and
• 60 semester college credit hours or above with a 'C' grade average; (Additional years of experience as a Certified Police Officer will offset the required education, please see the Job Description).

NOTE: Out-of-state Certified Police Officers will attend a full 24-week academy.


Your application must be submitted online by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026. Items listed below must be attached to your online application or submitted separately to and received by Human Resources by the indicated due dates.   

STATE OF IOWA CERTIFIED OFFICERS - Documents required for a complete application:     

1. Proof of ILEA Certification
2. Transcripts verifying education requirement
3. Photocopy of driver's license
4. Proof of U.S. Citizenship (such as a photocopy of one of the following: U.S. Birth Certificate from state or county, U.S. Passport, Certificate of Citizenship, or Naturalization Certificate)
5. High school diploma (or other proof of high school graduation) or G.E.D. and College transcripts, if any
6. References – names and contact information of 3 personal and 3 professional references (See attached pg. 5)
7. Police Officer Physical Conditioning Waiver (See attached pg. 6)
8. Authority for Release of Information - Must be notarized (See attached pg. 7)
9. DD214 Form for military service, if any (If you are unable to submit your DD214 by please contact the City’s Human Resources Department with expectation of when it will be available)
10. Certified Police Officers only - Current and Former Police Officer Packet 

** All of the above documents must be legible. **

OUT-OF-STATE CERTIFIED OFFICERS - Documents required for a complete application:

1. Proof of State Certification as a certified Police Officer AND Proof of 400 hours of certifying basic law enforcement training school (transcripts/syllabi)
2. Transcripts verifying education requirement
3. Photocopy of driver's license
4. Proof of U.S. Citizenship (such as a photocopy of one of the following: U.S. Birth Certificate from state or county, U.S. Passport, Certificate of Citizenship, or Naturalization Certificate)
5. High school diploma (or other proof of high school graduation) or G.E.D. and College transcripts, if any
6. References – names and contact information of 3 personal and 3 professional references (See attached pg. 5)
7. Police Officer Physical Conditioning Waiver (See attached pg. 6)
8. Authority for Release of Information - Must be notarized (See attached pg. 7)
9. DD214 Form for military service, if any (If you are unable to submit your DD214 by please contact the City’s Human Resources Department with expectation of when it will be available)
10. Certified Police Officers only - Current and Former Police Officer Packet 

** All of the above documents must be legible. **

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION MAY BE EMAILED, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED OR MAILED TO HUMAN RESOURCES.

EMAIL: [email protected]

FAX:  (515) 237-1680

HAND DELIVERED OR MAILED
City of Des Moines
Attn: Human Resources Dept.
1200 Locust St
Des Moines, IA  50309  

Summary of Benefits

For additional information and resources, visit the Police Department recruitment page at dsm.city/joinDMPD.

• Possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State of Iowa or evidence of equivalent mobility; and
• No felony convictions or convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude; and
• Free of drug or alcohol addiction; and
• Meet minimum requirements to be a law enforcement officer consistent with Iowa Code chapter 80(B) and its administrative rules; and
• All appointments will be conditional upon the passage of medical, physical fitness, and psychological exams required by the State of Iowa. The medical exam includes a screening for drug use. 

Class Specifications | Senior Police Officer | Class Spec Details (governmentjobs.com)