Employment Opportunities

Policing is a challenging but honorable profession. You are to be congratulated for being willing to accept the challenge of a career in law enforcement. We welcome your interest and hope you will take the opportunity to visit with members of our recruiting team or any other member of our Department. We believe that you will agree that we are part of a great law enforcement organization.

The Emporia Police Department does encourage in-service officers to consider contacting us about a lateral entry position. Based on experience, education and qualifications, we do extend an opportunity to laterally transfer to both sworn and non-sworn positions.

Police Officer Qualifications

To be considered for employment with the Emporia Police Department you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a United States citizen
  • Be twenty-one years of age
  • Have 20/20 or 20/20 corrected vision
  • Have a minimum of a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
  • Reside in Lyon or surrounding counties
  • Have or be able to obtain a Kansas driver's license within 30 days
  • Must not have been convicted of a felony or domestic violence crime
  • Must be of good moral character
  • Pass drug screen
  • Pass polygraph examination

Salary

The following list indicates the salary range for various positions within the department. The City has developed a pay-for-performance process. Your compensation is directly tied to your performance.

  • Recruit Police Officer: $21.42 to $33.85 per hour
  • Police Officer: $25.70 to $40.62 per hour
  • Master Police Officer: $32.82 to $51.87 per hour
  • Detective: $32.82 to $51.87 per hour
  • Sergeant: $37.08 to $58.61 per hour
  • Lieutenant: $37.08 to $58.61 per hour
  • Captain: $41.90 to $66.24 per hour

Benefits

  • Eleven paid holidays per year
  • All uniforms and equipment furnished
  • Uniform cleaning provided
  • 8 hours of sick leave earned per month with a maximum carry-over of 240 hours
  • 10.67 hours of vacation earned per month with a maximum carry-over of 192 hours
  • Two paid personal leave days per year
  • Up to three days paid funeral leave per year
  • Single/family health, vision and dental insurance available
  • $25,000 double indemnity life insurance paid by the City
  • Time off with pay (compensatory time) with supervisor approval
  • Minimum of 40 hours of police training per year provided with compensation
  • Kansas Police and Fire Retirement System for commissioned employees
  • Emporia Law Enforcement Benefit Association membership available
  • Incentive pay after training benchmarks

Hiring Process

The selection process utilized by the Emporia Police Department is thorough to ensure the best-qualified candidates are selected. The following are the components of the selection process, which must be completed by every applicant:

  • Complete an application truthfully
  • Written examination (Patrol Officer applicants only)
  • Physical agility examination (Patrol Officer applicants only)
  • Oral interview by selected division personnel
  • Polygraph examination
  • Background investigation by Investigations Division
  • Oral interview by command staff
  • Conditional offer of employment
  • Psychological profile examination
  • Medical examination and drug screening
  • Final review with command staff
  • Following successful completion of the employment process, officers will be placed in an initial training period for twelve months. During the initial training period, the recruit will attend the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (unless already certified.) The recruit will also complete a field training program. During this program, recruits will be instructed, observed and evaluated on a daily basis. The State of Kansas does offer a reciprocity process for active duty officers from other states.

Other Opportunities

Sworn police officers make up a part of our organization. Many of the day-to-day essential functions are provided by our civilian employees who play a very vital role. Our Department is comprised of people who must possess a wide range of skills and expertise. If your interest and educational background include any of the following, you should consider employment opportunities with our organization:

  • Data processing and information management
  • Secretarial and administrative assistant
  • Public relations
  • Business management
  • Property and Crime Scene management

How to Apply

The Emporia Police Department maintains an open enrollment process in accepting applications for police officers. Print an application (PDF fillable) to turn in or mail to 518 Mechanic Street, Emporia KS 66801 or visit Kansas Works at 215 W 6th Avenue, Suite 104, Emporia, KS 66801. Applications can also be e-mailed to epd@emporiaks.gov Please call 620-343-4211 with questions. Applications will remain on file until the next testing session or one year from the date received, whichever comes first.

The City of Emporia is an equal-opportunity employer.