FAQ

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Peoria Police Department.

Department Info

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Professional Staff

Department Information

Demographics

City Population
- Approximately 203,000 citizens
Size of City
- Approximately 180 square miles
Number of Sworn
- 244
Number of Professional Staff
- 119
Yearly Budget
- Approximately $88.5 million
Rank Structure
- Chief
- Deputy Chief x 2
- Commander x 4
- Lieutenant x 11 – Manager x 3
- Sergeant x 31 – Civilian Supervisor x 16
- Officers x 195 – Professional Staff x 100

Specialty Units and size of unit

Administration Divisions

Community Relations Unit (5 members)
Professional Standards Unit (4 members)
Recruitment and Training Unit (12 members)
Financial Services Unit (4 members)
Supply Services Unit (2 members)
PD IT Unit (3 members)
Property and Evidence Unit (5 members)

Patrol Divisions

Animal Control Unit (6 members)
Police Service Officer Unit (17 members)

Criminal Investigations Division

Domestic Violence Unit (4 members)
Digital Forensic Unit (3 members)
Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit (5 members)
Special Victims Unit (7 members)
Victim Assistance Unit (3 members)
Police Investigative Specialist Unit (4 members)
Major Crimes Unit (6 members)
Financial Crimes Unit (2 members)
Forensics Services Unit (4 members)
Records Unit (13 members)
Case Management Unit (5 members)
Communications (36 members)

Metro Division

Crime Analysis Unit (3 members)
K9 Unit (5 members)
Aviation Unit (3 members)
Property Crimes Unit (7 members)
Vehicular Crimes Unit (7 members)
Traffic Services Unit (8 members)
Real Time Crime Center Unit (3 members)
Threat Mitigation Unit (1 member)
School Resource Unit (13 members)

Special Assignments Unit

SWAT – part time team (20 members)
Technical Support – part time team (11 members)
Crisis Negotiations – part time team (9 members)

Additional Units

Honor Guard (12 members)

Beat Structure

The City is broken up into 9 beats, split between two precincts. Typically, two officers are assigned to each beat, per shift.

Pay

FY26 Pay Steps
- $33.97 / hourly $70,657 annually
- $35.67 / hourly $74,193 annually
- $37.45 / hourly $77,896 annually
- $39.33 / hourly $81,806 annually
- $41.29 / hourly $85,883 annually
- $43.36 / hourly $90,188 annually
- $45.53 / hourly $94,702 annually
- $47.79 / hourly $99,403 annually
Year for Year starting pay rate
City offers 457 Match
Bilingual Pay
Shift Differential
Overtime Opportunities
Off Duty Opportunities
Specialty Assignment Pay is added to hourly wage with no cap

Leave

Year for year starting vacation accrual rates
Personal Time leave bank upon hire based on years of experience
Comp Time – can be used as leave time or pay out options
Holiday Time – can be used as leave time or pay out options
Personal Time
Vacation Time
Physical Fitness Time

Benefits

Medical – Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Family or Employee only plans
- Offers an EPO plan with $0 deductible
- Offers a $0 employee premium plan
Dental – Delta Dental
- Offers a $0 employee premium plan
Vision – VSP
- Offers a $0 employee premium plan and a buyup plan
Partnership for Prevention – earn $500 to $750 off annual premiums
Tuition Reimbursement
Retirement Health Savings
Deferred Compensation
Optional Insurance
- Group Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Accident Insurance
- Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- Home and Auto Insurance discounts

Retirement System

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Defined Contribution – 10 year vested option – https://www.psprs.com/public-safety-personnel/member/retirement-benefits/tier-3/
Defined Benefit – 25 year vested option – https://www.psprs.com/public-safety-personnel/member/retirement-benefits/tier-3/

Professional Staff

Arizona State Retirement System – https://www.azasrs.gov/

Wellness

Power Hour – All employees are able to utlize power hour and workout on duty
Employees can earn up 40 hours off each year by participating in Physical Wellness Testing
All employees are required to attend mandatory wellness counseling sessions either yearly or every three years based on their position or exposure to traumatic incidents.
Robust Peer Support Network
Craig Tiger Act – a law in Arizona that mandates public safety agencies provide counseling services to employees (including 911 dispatchers and first responders) who have experienced traumatic events while on duty. The goal is to address and prevent mental health issues like PTSD, ensuring public safety workers receive timely and adequate support
Paid health and wellness activities

Schedule

All employees work a 4-10 schedule.
Professional Staff typically work Monday through Thursday with varying start times.
Officer and 911 Dispatchers bid by senority for their shifts on a yearly basis.
Officers are able to add their name to a transfer list to move to a more desireable shift mid-year.

Equipment and Uniform

Officers have the choice of $1,300 uniform allowance, which is split between two checks per year or $1,300 uniform reimbursement for which they must turn in receipts to be reimbursed.
Issued equipment, including but not limited to the following.
- Vest
- Gun
- Red dot sight
- Weapon mounted light system
Ability for rifle / shotgun training (equipment provided by Department)
Police Recruits are issued all equipment needed for the Academy. In addition, all Academy clothing, running shoes, and boots are purchased by the Department for the Recruit.

Miscellaneous City Information

Officer Union has collective bargaining rights and negotiates contract / working conditions
Fiscal Responsibility of City

Work Conditions

Multiple support units to assist with prisoner transport, bookings, and reports such as non-injury accidents and no suspect information calls for service

Career Development

Instructor Opportunities
TDY to specialties
Previous experience is considered for specialties
Ability to test and move into specialty after year probation
Ability to test for promotion after two years at Peoria

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Salary

Police Recruit:

Salary: $32.27/hour
($67,121 annually)

Lateral Officer:

Salary: $33.97 – $47.79/Hour
($70,657 – $99,422 annually)

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision & More
Paid Holidays (12 days per year)
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick leave
Personal Leave
Bereavement Leave
Wellness Program

You can find a full list of benefits offered on the Peoria City website.

Minimum Qualifications

Be a United States citizen.
Be at least 21 years of age except a person may attend an academy if they will be 21 before graduating.
Be a high school graduate or have successfully completed a General Education Development (GED) examination.
Undergo a complete background investigation.
Undergo a polygraph examination.
Undergo a medical examination before appointment.
Not have been convicted of a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Arizona.
Not have been convicted of or adjudged to have violated traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles with a frequency within the past three years that indicates a disrespect for traffic laws or a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highway.
Not have been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
Not have been previously denied certified status, have certified status revoked, or have current certified status suspended, or have voluntarily surrendered certified status in lieu of possible disciplinary action in Arizona or any other state.
Not have illegally possessed, produced, cultivated, or transported marijuana for sale or sold marijuana.
Not have used marijuana for any purpose within the past six months. This includes all forms of marijuana, including THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts, and marijuana edibles. Note: Use or possession of over-the counter products containing cannabidiol (CBD) is NOT disqualifying.
Not have illegally possessed, produced, cultivated, or transported a dangerous drug, hallucinogens, or narcotics for sale or sold dangerous drugs, hallucinogens, or narcotics.
Not have illegally used a dangerous drug, hallucinogen, or narcotic for any purpose within the past seven years. This includes dangerous drugs, hallucinogens, narcotics, including methamphetamine, amphetamine, speed, spice, bath salts, peyote, mushrooms, ecstasy, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, mescaline, salvia, phencyclidine (PCP), cocaine, heroin, and opioids.
Not have ever illegally used a dangerous drug, hallucinogen, or narcotic other than for experimentation.
Not have illegally possessed or used anabolic-androgenic or corticosteroids steroids for any purpose within the past three years.
Not have illegally possessed or used Adderall, except as prescribed by a physician, within the three years.
Not have a pattern of abuse of prescription medication.
Not have ever illegally used any of the above listed prohibited drugs while employed or appointed as a peace officer.
Lateral Officers must meet the above standards, as well as the following.
- Currently be AZPOST certified, or if your certification has lapsed, have the ability to become certified again through AZPOST
- Graduated from a State Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy and worked for at least one year as an officer
- Graduated from a federal law enforcement academy and worked for at least one year as an officer

Recruit Hiring Process

Submit an Application

Please visit our employment page to see what opportunities are currently available.

Invitation to the Test

Applications will be reviewed and the most qualified applicants will be invited to the testing process.

Attend Testing

Physical and Written Test Dates

Thursday, June 11, 2026
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Saturday, August 1, 2026

Physical Test

The physical test consists of the following events.

1.5 mile run – 14 minutes 40 seconds
Push-ups in 1 minute – 31
Sit-ups in 1 minute – 34

Oral Boards

Applicants that pass the physical and written tests are eligible to be scheduled for an oral board, which may be conducted virtually if residing out of town.

Background Investigations

The most qualified applicants from the testing will be invited into background investigations. These will include the following.

Background Questionnaire
Polygraph
Background Interview
Chief Interview
Conditional Job Offer
AZPOST Medical Exam
Psychological Testing and Interview

Polygraph and Background Investigation

The most qualified applicants from the testing will be invited into background investigations. These will include the following.

Background Questionnaire
Polygraph
Background Interview
Chief Interview
Conditional Job Offer
AZPOST Medical Exam
Psychological Testing and Interview

Interview with the Chief of Police

A formal interview with the Chief of Police will be conducted.

Conditional Job Offer

If you pass all portions of the above listed process, you will be given a conditional job offer. The conditions of the offer are to pass the AZPOST Medical and Psychological.

AZPOST Medical Examination

The AZPOST medical examination checks for general health, fitness, and conditioning and shall include a drug screen.

Psychological Screening

A battery of psychological tests shall be administered. The tests will be evaluated by a licensed psychologist and used in conjunction with a personal interview to evaluate the applicant and determine their suitability for employment.

Final Job Offer

The Chief of Police, based upon the results of the selection process and personal interviews, shall make the final hiring decision.

Submit an Application

Please visit our employment page to see what opportunities are currently available.

Invitation to the Test

Applications will be reviewed and the most qualified applicants will be invited to the testing process.

Attend Testing

Below are the upcoming scheduled testing dates.

POPAT and Written Test Dates

Saturday, July 26^th at 5:30 am
Thursday, August 7^th at 5:00 pm
Saturday, September 13^th at 5:30 am
Thursday, October 2^nd at 5:00 pm
Saturday, November 1^st at 6:00 am

If you are unable to attend one of the listed test dates, you may be eligible to complete the written test and POPAT at another time. Please contact Recruitment and Training Manager Heather Morrell at heather.morrell@peoriaaz.gov to schedule.

Testing Information

Below is information about the testing process.

You are required to visit https://my.azpost.gov to create a profile and complete the AZPOST Personal History Form. When you RSVP for your test date, please also send your AZPOST ID Number.
Appropriate attire for the entire testing date is physical fitness attire.

Written Test Standards

Minimum passing score of 70%.

POPAT – Physical Test

If an Applicant does not pass the POPAT on their first attempt, they will be eligible to retake the test during the scheduled testing dates during this testing period.

The POPAT consists of the following tests

The physical test consists of the following events.

1.5 mile run – 14 minutes 40 seconds
Push-ups in 1 minute – 31
Sit-ups in 1 minute – 34

POPAT Practice Dates and Information

Applicants that wish to practice the POPAT test are encouraged to attend the following scheduled POPAT practice dates. Physical Fitness Instructors will be available to help applicants complete the test. No written test will be given on these dates.

POPAT Practice Dates

Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 7:00 am

Oral Boards

Applicants that pass the physical and written tests are eligible to be scheduled for an oral board, which may be conducted virtually if residing out of town.

Polygraph and Background Investigation

The most qualified applicants from the testing will be invited into background investigations. These will include the following.

Background Questionnaire
Polygraph
Background Interview
Chief Interview
Conditional Job Offer
AZPOST Medical Exam
Psychological Testing and Interview

Interview with the Chief of Police

A formal interview with the Chief of Police will be conducted.

Conditional Job Offer

If you pass all portions of the above listed process, you will be given a conditional job offer. The conditions of the offer are to pass the AZPOST Medical and Psychological.

AZPOST Medical Examination

The AZPOST medical examination checks for general health, fitness, and conditioning and shall include a drug screen.

Psychological Screening

Final Job Offer

The Chief of Police, based upon the results of the selection process and personal interviews, shall make the final hiring decision.

Lateral Officer Hiring Process

Submit an Application

Please visit our employment page to see what opportunities are currently available.

Command Staff Oral Boards

Applications will be reviewed and qualified applicants will be contacted to conduct a Command Staff Oral Board which can be conducted in person or virtually.

**Out of State Lateral Applicants can complete the following steps in one trip to Arizona, spanning approximately three days***

Ride Along (Optional)

Download the Ride Along form (PDF)

Email completed form to policerecruitment@peoriaaz.gov

Polygraph and Background Investigation

A thorough background investigation will be conducted on the most qualified candidates for the position.

Interview with the Chief of Police

A formal interview with the Chief of Police will be conducted.

Conditional Job Offer

If you pass all portions of the above listed process, you will be given a conditional job offer. The conditions of the offer are to pass the AZPOST Medical and Psychological.

AZPOST Medical Examination

The AZPOST medical examination checks for general health, fitness, and conditioning and shall include a drug screen.

Psychological Screening

Final Job Offer

The Chief of Police, based upon the results of the selection process and personal interviews, shall make the final hiring decision.

Professional Staff Positions

Salary

911 Dispatcher:

$30.01 – $41.42/hour
($62,420 – $86,153 annually)

Professional Staff:

Varied by Position
View Salaries

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision & More
Paid Holidays (12 days per year)
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick leave
Personal Leave
Bereavement Leave
Wellness Program

You can find a full list of benefits offered on the Peoria City website.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be able to legally work in the United States.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Be a high school graduate or have earned a General Education Development (GED) Certificate.
Undergo a complete background investigation and polygraph examination.
Undergo a drug screen, and if required for the position, a medical examination.
Any criminal history will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
For those positions requiring the employee to operate a vehicle, all driving infractions in the last three years will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
If the applicant served in the military, Dishonorable, Bad Conduct, or Under Other than Honorable Conditions Discharges will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Not have used any form of marijuana, including THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts, and marijuana edibles, for any purpose, in the last six months.
- Use of over-the counter products containing cannabidiol (CBD) is not a disqualifier.
Not have used any form of dangerous drugs, hallucinogens, or non-prescribed narcotics, for any purpose, in the last three years.
- This includes, but is not limited to, Adderall, methamphetamine, amphetamine, speed, spice, bath salts, peyote, mushrooms, ecstasy, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, mescaline, salvia, phencyclidine (PCP), cocaine, heroin, and opioids.

911 Dispatcher Hiring Process

Submit an Application

Please visit our employment page to see what opportunities are currently available.

Testing Information

The most qualified applicants will be invited, via email, to participate in the Criticall Test. Criticall is a computerized pre-employment test that measures your typing speed and ability, along with underlying skills and abilities that a person needs to be successful as a police communications dispatcher. Below is a link with more information about the position and the CritiCall test.

**Lateral applicants do not take the Criticall Test**

https://criticall911.com/dispatcher-testing/applicants/

Interview

Applicants that pass the skills test will be scheduled for an oral board interview. Oral boards may also be conducted via Teams, if applicants are out of state.

Oral boards will be offered on the following dates. You will be contacted to schedule a time if you pass the Criticall Test.

Wednesday, May 14^th

Open House Orientation

Applicants that pass the CritiCall Skills Test will be invited to a mandatory Open House/Job Orientation. This will provide applicants firsthand information on a 911 Communications Center and the opportunity to meet other Communications Specialists. Applicants are welcome to bring spouses and / or adult family.

Open House Orientations will be offered on the following dates.

Wednesday, June 18^th at 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 21^st at 12:00 pm (noon)

Background Investigation and Polygraph

A thorough background investigation will be conducted on the most qualified applicant(s) for the position.

Conditional Job Offer

If you pass all portions of the above listed process, you will be given a conditional job offer. The conditions of the offer are to pass the Medical and Psychological.

Medical Examination and Drug Screen

Applicants must pass a drug screen and vision and hearing tests. Eyesight corrected to 20/20 and hearing in both ears not less than 40db.

Psychological Screening

A battery of psychological tests shall be administered, and the tests will be evaluated by a licensed psychologist and used in conjunction with a personal interview to evaluate the applicant and determine their suitability for employment.

Sit Along in the Dispatch Center

Each applicant will complete a minimum 2-hour sit along.

Final Job Offer

The Chief of Police, based upon the results of the selection process and personal interviews, shall make the final hiring decision.

Professional Staff Hiring Process

Submit an Application

Please visit our employment page to see what opportunities are currently available.

Interview

The most qualified applicants will be contacted to conduct a 15-minute phone screening. The most qualified applicants from the phone interviews will then be contacted to participate in an in person or virtual interview.

Background Investigation and Polygraph

A thorough background investigation will be conducted on the most qualified applicant(s) for the position.

Interview with the Chief of Police and/or Command Staff

A formal interview with the Chief of Police will be conducted.

Conditional Job Offer

If you pass all portions of the above listed process, you will be given a conditional job offer. The conditions of the offer are to pass the Medical and, depending on the requirements of the position, a Psychological.

Medical Examination and Drug Screen

Applicants must pass a medical and drug screen specific to the requirements of the position.

Psychological Screening

If required by the qualification of the position, a battery of psychological tests shall be administered, and the tests will be evaluated by a licensed psychologist and used in conjunction with a personal interview to evaluate the applicant and determine their suitability for employment.

Final Job Offer

The Chief of Police, based upon the results of the selection process and personal interviews, shall make the final hiring decision.

Are You Ready?

Are you interested in learning about job opportunities with the Peoria Police Department? We are actively recruiting for sworn officers and civilian professional staff positions.

Apply Now