Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00117

Department: Police

Division: Patrol-12

Job classification: Police Officer (Non-Certified)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Safety

Summary

The City of Yuma Police Department is seeking motivated individuals to join Team Yuma as Police Officers (Non-Certified). The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, compassion and empathy for others, a high level of integrity, mental agility and the ability to actively listen and navigate difficult situations.

Selected candidates will attend an AZPOST Law Enforcement Academy to obtain an Arizona Police Officer Certification. Upon successful completion of the academy, officers will continue training under the direct guidance of experienced field training officers.

If you have the desire to protect and the passion to serve our community, there is a place on our team for you!

PAY INFORMATION

The City of Yuma follows a 10-step pay plan ranging from $31.3601 to $44.19 per hour. Non-certified applicants will start at the entry-level rate of $31.3601 per hour.

SELECTION PROCESS

All applications will be screened by Human Resources for the minimum requirements. All applicants will be notified of their status by email. Candidates that meet the minimum requirements will be required to complete a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ).

HIRING PROCESS

The following steps must be successfully completed prior to hire. Steps may not occur in the order listed. Applicants will receive email notification prior to each step:

• Written Examination
• Candidates will be invited to complete an online Police Entry Level Exam.
• Candidates may purchase a study guide and/or practice test.
• Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT)
• Information regarding the POPAT and minimum standards for certification can be found on the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZ POST) website. The Yuma Police Department may utilize agency discretion regarding the AZPOST minimum qualifications.
• Oral Interview
• Background Interview - PHQ required for this step (See link in the Selection Process section).
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph Exam
• Psychological Exam
• Medical/Drug Screening
• Police Academy

Under close supervision, attends an approved Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board basic training academy to obtain Arizona Peace Officer Certification.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: --Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Be a United States citizen.
• Must be 21 years of age by the academy graduation date.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalency.
• Be in sound medical, physical, and mental health.
• Have at least 20/20 vision uncorrected; or 20/20 vision corrected by glasses or hard contact lenses if uncorrected acuity is 20/80 or better; 20/20 vision corrected by soft contact lenses if uncorrected acuity is 20/200 or better. Vision capable of distinguishing basic color groups against a favorable background.
• Must meet AZ P.O.S.T. and Yuma Police Department drug standards.
• Must have good moral character and personal integrity.
• Must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation including a polygraph.

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• Safe work practices, occupational hazards and safety precautions.

Skill in:

• Maintaining academic and professional standards in accordance with YPD policies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong problem-solving and critical- thinking skills
• Ability to learn, understand, and apply training materials and instructions.
• Remaining calm and composed in stressful situations.
• De-escalating situations and preventing harm.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in both classroom and field training environments and requires strenuous physical effort. Candidates must meet all physical standards of the AZPOST Academy and demonstrate physical, mental and emotional capability to perform the essential duties of a police officer.

Police officers are expected to be well-groomed, possess high moral standards, work effectively in a team environment, communicate clearly both verbally and in writing, and work a rotating shift schedule.

AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS

The City of Yuma Police Department and/or Arizona POST will automatically disqualify any individual who has at any time; be aware that Arizona POST follows federal guidelines for drug usage:

• Been convicted of a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Arizona
• Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces
• Been previously denied certified status, have certified status revoked or have current certified status suspended
• Illegally sold, produced, cultivated, or transported for sale marijuana or dangerous drugs/narcotics
• Used marijuana for any purpose within the past six (6) months
• Illegally used marijuana, dangerous drugs/narcotics while employed or appointed as a peace officer
• Illegally used a dangerous drug or narcotic, other than marijuana, for any purpose within the past seven years
• Ever illegally used a dangerous drug or narcotic other than for experimentation. Experimentation is defined as not exceeding a total of 5 times lifetime or exceeding one time, since attaining the age of 21. This includes, but not limited to, cocaine/crack, heroin, opium, morphine, LSD/acid, methamphetamine/speed, peyote, mescaline, or derivatives thereof
• Have a pattern of abusing prescription medication
• Convicted of or adjudged to have violated traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles with such a frequency so as to indicate disrespect for the traffic laws and disregard for the safety of other persons on the highway within the past three years
• Been previously employed with a law enforcement agency and since has committed or violated federal, state, or city laws pertaining to criminal activity
• Lied during any stage of the hiring process, falsified any information on the application or background questionnaire
• Conviction of domestic violence crime, misdemeanor, or felony or conviction of a lesser charge, which at the time of occurrence was a domestic violence crime

Supplemental information

For additional information regarding the Yuma Police Department, please visit Yuma Police Department Hiring and Recruiting.

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