Entry-Level Police Officer (No Previous Experience)

Police Officer
The City of Olathe, Kansas is seeking qualified individuals for the position of police officer. Job duties include enforcing City Ordinances, investigating violations of the laws of the State of Kansas, collecting evidence in cases in which the State of Kansas is or may be a party of interest, and performing other duties imposed upon them by law. Qualified applicants must have above average written and verbal skills.
Essential Job Functions

Starting Salary
$38,417.60.   Top out pay is $65,228.80 after 12 years.    Our evaluation system provides an annual 4% lump sum bonus to employees with an acceptable evaluation on the year following their last step increase, bringing top out pay to $67,837.96.  

Minimum Requirements
High School diploma or GED; be at least 21 years of age; correctable 20/20 vision; See disqualifiers list below for complete details.

Applicants must pass all aspects of hiring process, noted here on this webpage.

Applicants must also have a residency location within a 45 mile radius of the Olathe Police Department within one year of employment date.

Testing Dates

We are currently in the process of organizing a future written test date.  Once this date is determined, we will put it on this site.  Check back frequently.

Written Test Location

The written test will be conducted at 9:00 a.m. at the Olathe Police Department Training Center located at 501 E. Old 56 Hwy. Olathe, KS 66061.

Those applicants who successfully complete the written examination will be invited to the physical agility testing which will take place on the same day at 1:30 PM.  Physical agility testing may be re scheduled due to weather.  

Physical Agility Location
The physical agility testing will be conducted at 1:30 PM at the Johnson County Regional Police Academy located at 12345 College Blvd. Overland Park, KS 66210.

City of Olathe Employment Application (this is the form that must be completed and brought with you on testing day)
Download an application. 

Olathe Police Dept.  "Personal History Statement" (this is the form that must be completed prior to Oral Boards)

Download the "Personal History Packet"

Here is an Overview of the Hiring Process:

     On test day, you will arrive at the OPD with photo I.D. and the City of Olathe application, in hand, and take the aptitude test.  Criminal History & D.L.  records checks will take place while you are taking the aptitude test.  Following this test, the physical agility course will be administered to all successful candidates, after lunch, weather permitting.   Those who are successful with both the aptitude test and the physical agility course will be given an oral board interview date.   You will also be given a date whereby the "Personal History Statement" will be due, typically 10-12 days following the aptitude test.  The "Personal History Statement" is lengthy, start early.  On your oral board date, you will arrive and complete a brief writing sample. This is to provide  the oral board an example of your written communication skills.   The oral board is comprised of 3 Olathe Police Commissioned Officers of various ranks.   Those who are successful with the oral board will be scheduled for a Polygraph interview and exam.   Following Polygraph,  Personnel Unit Officers are assigned background investigations to commence based upon your overall performance to date.  The Personnel Unit will submit qualified individuals to an interview with the Chief of Police.   Offers of employment may be extended, conditional upon the successful completion of a Psychological and Physical Exam and Drug Screen.  This process typically takes 10 weeks but can be abbreviated, or extended, based upon individual candidate qualifications.

     Lateral Officers will begin employment with the Field Training and Evaluation Program which runs approximately 17 weeks.  Candidates without prior experience will begin employment 1 week prior to the start of the next regularly scheduled Johnson County Police Academy.  

Reasons For Disqualification

• FALSE STATEMENT: False statement of material fact/deception/fraud.
• FELONIES:
• No felony convictions, ever.
• No commission of a felony in the past 5 years, subject to a review.
• MISDEMEANORS: Conviction of a Class "A" misdemeanor within the past five years. No conviction of a Class B misdemeanor within the past two years to include FTA Traffic. Commission of a Class "A" or "B" misdemeanor or crime of moral turpitude within the past 2 years, subject to review.  Definition of "Commission".   "Commission" of a crime means it happened, regardless of arrest, conviction or even discovery.  If you know it happened, it is a "commission".
• DRIVING RECORD: No DUI conviction within the past 5 years. Three or more citations within the last 12 months. Three or more chargeable or at fault accidents within the past 5 years. Overall driving history which is deemed to be unacceptable.
• PROBATION/PAROLE: Currently on probation, parole or diversion. (Inclusive of deferred adjudication). Pardoned for any reason other than being innocent.
• NARCOTICS/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: Use of any illegal drug, other than marijuana, within the past 5 years or the sale of a controlled substance at any time.
• MARIJUANA: No use of marijuana in the last two years.
• MILITARY DISCHARGE/CONDUCT: Discharge other than honorable (no conditions). Conviction/commission of court martial offense.
• UNACCEPTABLE BACKGROUND: Work history, educational history, military service, general reputation, and interpersonal relationship.
• TATTOO POLICY: "No visible tattoos are allowed that cannot be completely covered by one of the standard issue Olathe Police Department uniforms and/or appropriate business attire, if approved for your position." Piercings are limited to two earrings per ear, and "no gauged body parts".
• City Wide NEPOTISM Policy: Any applicant whohas arelativein the employ of the City of Olathe is not eligible for employment. The definition of a relative for hiring purposes is: Spouse, parent, child, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, step-grandparent, step-grandchild, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law and father-in-law.

* Applications are also available at the following locations:

Contact a Recruiter