City of Scottsdale Police Officers are responsible for protecting life and property, preventing, deterring and investigating crime, enforcing laws and responding to citizen requests through the use of community policing strategies to engage and educate the community.

A Police Officer Recruit is an entry-level position prior to becoming a certified Police Officer. Participates in formal, structured training at a police academy as well as customized departmental training classes and field training program arranged by in-service trainers.

Please Note

Be sure to check your email junk/spam folders regularly for possible notifications and/or self-schedule interview invitations from Governmentjobs.

IMPORTANT: Please review the current Scottsdale Police Grooming Standards before submitting your application.

Starting salary for this position is $36.25/hour. Upon successful completion of the police academy and promotional process, salary will be increased to $38.07/hour.

For more information on the step pay program for Police Officers please visit https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/police/join-scottsdale-pd/police-officer#pay-for-experience.

There will be a physical test and a written exam included in the selection process for this position scheduled for January 9, 2026 (by invitation only). For more information on the selection process, please check the Scottsdale Police Department's website at http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/police/join-scottsdale-pd/police-officer.

Notifications are tentatively scheduled to be emailed by 12/18/2025.

The application and supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process, and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state "See resume" in lieu of answering. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.

Education

For more information on the selection process, please check here to be taken to the Scottsdale Police Department's website. Education and Experience:

A high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalent.
Must be 20 years and 6 months of age at the time of application.
Must be a United States Citizen.

Licensing, Certifications And Other Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license with no major citations within the past 39 months prior to the start date. The Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles requires that out-of-state driver's licenses must be surrendered within 10 days of relocating to the State of Arizona.
Obtain and maintain AZPOST Certification.
Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.

Responsibilities

Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area within a department(s) which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:

Performs law enforcement patrol activities.
Operates a motor vehicle and observes and monitors the public to determine compliance/noncompliance with prescribed operating or safety standards and laws. Pursues and stops offenders, subdues resisting offenders using necessary force where appropriate, including deadly force.
Issues citations and makes arrests; searches persons, places, and things; seizes and impounds property and evidence; transports arrested persons and property.
Mediates disputes; performs crowd and riot control activities.
Conducts law enforcement investigations.
Protects crime and traffic accident scenes; conducts face to face and phone interviews; observes, gathers, records, processes, and preserves evidence; measures and diagrams crime and traffic accident scenes; prepares detailed written reports of investigative findings; performs data entry of various police activity into computerized records management system, seizes and processes evidence; presents testimony and evidence in court.
Responds to citizen requests for assistance to fires, accidents, and crime scenes; administers first aid to sick and injured citizens for a wide variety of illnesses and injuries; assists distressed motorists and crime scene individuals; directs traffic; moves persons, vehicles, and other property.

Pre-employment Requirements

This is a safety-sensitive position that requires candidates to successfully pass a post-offer drug screen prior to start date.
As part of the medical examination, candidates must successfully pass an Audiogram Test prior to start date.
As part of the medical examination, candidates must successfully pass a Visual/Ishihara Screening Test prior to start date.
As part of the conditional job offer, candidates must successfully pass an Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) Medical Exam prior to start date.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position or that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Perform a multitude of tasks simultaneously or in logical and efficient succession.
Sit for extended periods of time while driving a City vehicle.
Physical agility to pursue offenders on foot; stop and subdue resisting offenders using necessary force where appropriate, including deadly force.
Access paved, gravel, rough, or turf areas; climb elevations.
Exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, inclement weather, temperature extremes, traffic hazards, body fluids, hazardous chemical, firearms, various evidence, firearms, and unpleasant odors.
Lift and move up to 160 pounds for long distances with or without assistance.
Physically move persons, vehicles, and other property.
Visually distinguish full range of color spectrum.
Use and maintain proficiency with a variety of law enforcement tools, including handguns, batons, and other weapons.
Visual and muscular dexterity to operate a motor vehicle, computer equipment, and two-way radio maintaining constant vigilance to the surrounding area.
Use appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) when needed/required.
Travel to/from various locations.
Work overtime as required.
Work a variety of scheduled shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Click Here To View The Full Job Description.

For more information about Scottsdale, Arizona, visit our About Scottsdale site.

Benefits Highlights

The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

12 Paid Holidays, which includes 1 Floating Holiday
Vacation Accrual; starts at 10.3 hours/month
Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
Medical (which includes behavioral health coverage), Dental and Vision Benefits
City Paid Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times employee annual salary); option of Supplemental Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement; $2,500/year
Participation in the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS)
Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457
Pet Insurance
Bilingual (English/Spanish) pay compensation

Please visit the Benefits Information page for more information.

Selection Process

Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of this position may be invited to participate in a selection process to include a background investigation, physical and written assessments, and an oral board interview. Final selection is contingent upon a background check which includes:

Fingerprinting
Criminal background screening
Motor Vehicle Department Records Check
Polygraph

Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment drug test, pre-employment Arizona POST medical exam and psychological evaluation. The timeframe for reapplication with the Police Department varies based on the position and the needs of the organization.

The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.

PLEASE NOTE: Years of experience are based on a work schedule of 2,080 hours per year for full-time positions and 1,040 hours per year for part-time positions, and while work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, depending upon the job classification, education may not be substituted for work experience.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for an "otherwise qualified applicant" with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting HR Receptionist at (480) 312-2491. Requests should be made 24 hours in advance or as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TTY users, the Arizona Relay Service (1-800-367-8939) may contact HR Receptionist at (480) 312-2491.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

City of Scottsdale

Latest Jobs

Police Officer Trainee