Police Officer (Certified)

The City of Yuma Police Department is seeking motivated individuals to join Team Yuma as Certified Police Officers. A certified officer is an individual who has successfully completed a state-approved law enforcement academy and holds current peace officer certification. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, compassion and empathy for others, a high level of integrity, mental agility, and the ability to actively listen and navigate difficult situations.

An Arizona State Certified Officer will be required to successfully complete the department’s Field Training Program to ensure familiarity with agency policies, procedures, and operational standards. Certified officers may operate independently upon completion of field training while adhering to Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST), departmental policies, and ethical guidelines. 

An Out-of-State Certified Officer is eligible for appointment through the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) waiver process. Officers appointed under the AZPOST waiver shall successfully complete all AZPOST-mandated waiver requirements, any required equivalency or supplemental training, and the department’s Field Training Program prior to solo assignment.  Certified officers may operate independently upon completion of field training while adhering to Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST), departmental policies, and ethical guidelines. 

The City of Yuma follows a 10-step pay plan ranging from $31.3601 - $44.1899 per hour.  Salary and compensation are subject to agency discretion and may vary based on factors such as candidate qualifications, internal equity, and applicable policies and pay scales.  The offered amount will be determined by those factors.  All applications will be screened by Human Resources for the minimum requirements. All applicants will be notified of their status by email. Those that meet the minimum requirements will be required to complete a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ).

Below are steps that must be completed prior to hire, these steps may not be conducted in the order listed. An email notification will be sent to the applicant prior to the beginning of each step in the process:

• Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT)
  • Information regarding the POPAT and the minimum standards for certification can be found on the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZ POST) website.
• Oral Interview
• Background Interview - PHQ required for this step (See link in the Selection Process section).
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph Exam
• Psychological Exam
• Medical/Drug Screening
• Police Academy

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Click here for the essential functions of a Certified Police Officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have been an AZ POST certified officer; OR must have been a certified officer in another state. Out of State certified officers will be required to apply for reciprocity. For more information on reciprocity and the waiver process, visit AZ POST.
• Be a United States citizen.
• Be in sound physical and mental health.
• Have at least 20/20 vision uncorrected; or 20/20 vision corrected by glasses or hard contact lenses if uncorrected acuity is 20/80 or better; 20/20 vision corrected by soft contact lenses if uncorrected acuity is 20/20 or better. Vision capable of distinguishing basic color groups against a favorable background.
• Must meet AZ POST and Yuma Police Department drug standards.
• Must have good moral character and personal integrity.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalency.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required.  Must obtain (if applicable) and maintain Peace Officer Certification with AZ POST. Additional technical training and certifications may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a standard office environment, and in the field on tactical assignments; may be exposed to physical attacks, hazardous chemicals, infectious and communicable diseases; required to capture and physically restrain persons; must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet YPD standards.  This job is classified as Safety Sensitive, and subject to Federal and state regulations.

The City of Yuma Police Department and/or AZ POST will automatically disqualify any individual who has at any time; be aware that AZ POST follows federal guidelines for drug usage:

• Been convicted of a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Arizona
• Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces
• Been previously denied certified status, have certified status revoked or have current certified status suspended
• Illegally sold, produced, cultivated, or transported for sale marijuana or dangerous drugs/narcotics
• Used marijuana, dangerous drugs/narcotics while employed or appointed as a peace officer
• Illegally used a dangerous drug or narcotic, other than marijuana, for any purpose within the past seven years
• Convicted of or adjudged to have violated traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles with such a frequency so as to indicate disrespect for the traffic laws and disregard for the safety of other persons on the highway within the past three years
• Been previously employed with a law enforcement agency and since has committed or violated federal, state, or city laws pertaining to criminal activity
• Lied during any stage of the hiring process, falsified any information on the application or background questionnaire
• Conviction of domestic violence crime, misdemeanor, or felony or conviction of a lesser charge, which at the time of occurrence was a domestic violence crime