Join JPD

Do you have what it takes?

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The Jonesboro Police Department is accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. Police officers are employed for the purpose of maintaining order, preventing and detecting crime, protecting the rights, lives and property of citizens, and enforcing the laws. Must be at least 21 years of age or older, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, be a U.S. citizen, and have no felony convictions. Applicants will be required to meet these state requirements, pass physical agility tests, written test, drug screen, polygraph, medical and psychological examinations, and an intensive background investigation.

Starting pay is currently $42,000. Benefits include medical, dental, vacation, sick leave, pension, take-home vehicles, advanced training opportunities, and others.

Application Procedure

  1. To apply, fill out the form above in its entirety.

  2. Upon receipt of a candidate’s application a thorough background investigation commences. This investigation will continue throughout the testing process and will conclude with a polygraph examination.

  3. For candidates who pass the preliminary background investigation and for whom there is no disqualifying information discovered, the next step is a physical fitness test in which candidates must meet the following standards:
    - Complete 22 sit-ups in one minute or less
    - Complete 12 push-ups in one minute or less
    - Finish 300 meter run in 71 seconds or less
    - Reach 13″ or more on sit and reach
    - Run 1.5 miles in 18 minutes or less
    - Dry fire a double action pistol 15 times with each hand

  4. The next stage is a video based exam that tests candidates’ abilities in situational judgment and human relations as well as reading and writing skills. For an explanation of the test, click FrontLine National Background Information for Candidates. A practice test is available at www.ergopracticetests.com.

  5. For candidates that pass the background investigation, the next step will be an interview conducted by a board consisting of Jonesboro Police Department officers.

  6. After the interview, a hire list will be generated that will be good for one year. Once a candidate is given a conditional offer of employment, they must pass a psychological evaluation, physical examination, and a drug screen.

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

  • Be a citizen of the United States

  • Be at least 21 years of age within six months of the test date;

  • No felony convictions;

  • No convictions barring the possession of a firearm;

  • Possess high school diploma or GED;

  • Hold a valid driver’s license;

  • Be of good character as established by a detailed background investigation;

  • Have acceptable vision (uncorrected visual acuity must not exceed 20/100 in either eye, correctable to 20/20 or better in each eye);

  • Possess normal hearing and be free of any hearing defect which, in the opinion of the physician administering the required post-offer physical examination, could adversely affect performance of duty; and

  • Successfully complete a physical agility test and post-offer psychological and physical examination, including a post-offer of employment drug test.

  • See CLEST Minimum Standards and CLEST Physical Exam Standards for more information.

Salary and Benefits

  • Starting salary of $42,000 with yearly raises

  • Excellent health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance offerings

  • Three weeks of vacation per year with accrual of up to six weeks

  • Four weeks of sick time per year with accrual of up to 18 weeks

  • Up to three days bereavement leave upon the death of a family member

  • Pension with participation in the Local Police and Fire (LOPFI) Retirement System

  • Uniforms, firearms, and equipment provided

  • Take home vehicle provided after satisfactory completion of basic and field training (must meet residency requirement)

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.  

Notice - please read the following excerpt from our policy concerning visible tattoos: “Maintaining a ‘neutral image’ may encompass any number of general appearance issues as determined by the Chief of Police. Currently, facial hair other than a mustache, unusual visible piercing and hair styles or colors that would be considered ‘shocking’ to the general public will not be permitted.” 

For general information on Arkansas regulations for law enforcement officers, please go to the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training website at http://www.clest.org. Civilian employee job openings for the police department are advertised through the Human Resource department at City Hall. Job applications for civilian openings may be obtained from the city Human Resource department.