Police Officer - Recruit

The Shawnee Police Department is currently hiring multiple candidates, including non-certified Police Officers! The general purpose of the Police Officer position is to affirmatively promote a feeling of community safety and security through the safe, efficient, effective and lawful performance of law enforcement duties and functions. NEW starting salary begins at $64,114 per year with no experience. Police Officers receive annual step increases plus merit increases, earning an annual salary up to $104,250 after year 8.

If you are a certified/lateral officer, please apply through Police Officer - Lateral job posting

Daily routines require taking calls for service, patrolling to deter and detect crime, investigating crimes and complaints, citing and arresting law violators, preparing and following up on reports and cases, protecting persons and property, and securing and protecting prisoners. When not responding to calls for service, the police officer is expected to use unassigned work time in an efficient manner by self-initiating work on those tasks identified by supervisory personnel as priorities for this job position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or the equivalent
• Must be 21 years of age by the date of employment
• U.S. Citizen
• Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record

Note: Kansas residency not required.
For information on automatic exclusions, visit the Police Department website here.

Application Instructions:
Information on this application will be used to judge your qualifications and evaluate your education for the position that you are applying for. Please read all of the questions carefully and answer all questions completely and honestly.

• Include all past and current employers.  
• Include all education from high school through highest level of education with start and end dates.
• List three character references that you have known for at least three years, are not related to you and are not listed as a supervisor in the Employment History section.
• Please Note:  Most correspondence will be done electronically. 

Do not leave any blank spaces. If a question does not apply, write "DNA" in the answer space. All information in this application is subject to verification. Any false, misleading, or incomplete information will result in your application being eliminated. Your ability to completely and honestly fill out this application is part of the process to determine your suitability for employment. If you intentionally leave out any information that you think might be detrimental to you obtaining a job such as past drug use, any incidents of theft or other crimes, it will automatically eliminate you from consideration for employment. The fact that you may have used drugs, committed theft or another illegal act will not automatically eliminate you, but the omission of it during the application process will.  Once submitted, this application becomes the property of the City of Shawnee.

Below is the tentative timeline and schedule for the February 2027 JCRPA hiring process.  These dates are subject to change.  All candidates will participate in all of the process components.  Laterals are encouraged to apply at any time through the Police Officer - Lateral job posting, and will move through the steps without consideration for the academy.  If you have questions regarding the hiring process components or the timeline, please reach out to the Shawnee Recruitment Team at joinspd@cityofshawnee.org or 913-742-6600.

August 11, 2026                                   Interview Day (Initial, Staff, PAT)
Week of August 17th                          Polygraphs
Week of August 31st                           Interviews with Police Chief
                                                                Interview Day Group 2 (Initial, Staff, PAT)
Week September 14th                        Job Fit Assessments 
                                                                Polygraphs (group 2)
Week of September 28th                   Interviews with Police Chief (group 2)
                                                                Interview Day Group 3 (Initial, Staff, PAT)
Week of October 12th                         Job Fit Assessments (group 2)
                                                                Polygraphs (group 3)
Week of October 19th                         Interview Day Group 4 (Initial, Staff, PAT)
Week of October 26th                         Interviews with Police Chief (group 3)
                                                                Polygraphs (group 4)
Week of November 9th                       Job Fit Assessments (group 3)
                                                                Interviews with Police Chief (group 4)
Week of November 30th                     Job Fit Assessments (group 4)                 

Additional steps include: background investigation, post-offer physical examination, post-offer drug screen

October 2026-January 2027                      Tentative Start Date(s)
February 8, 2027                                         JCRPA Begins

Additional Statements:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. The City of Shawnee reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities of job descriptions to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. The job description is not a contract or guarantee of employment.

The City of Shawnee complies with federal and state equal opportunity laws. It is the City's policy to provide an equal employment opportunity for all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, socioeconomic status, genetic information, citizenship, veteran status or familial status, or any other basis protected by state or federal law, in regard to hire, training, promotion, transfer, layoff, dismissal, discipline and other conditions of employment. If reasonable accommodation is necessary to apply or further information if needed, please contact Human Resources at (913) 742-6253.