Police Officers

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Choose a career that makes a difference - Join OVPD

Welcome to the Oro Valley Police Department career information page. We’re pleased that your search for something more in your career has led you to explore the opportunities our agency offers.

If you’re ready to serve a community that values law enforcement, with a department that offers personal and professional development through a wide variety of challenging and rewarding career opportunities, you’ve found it! If you’re ready to settle into a beautiful area of Arizona where adventure thrives and where your neighbors are invested in creating a healthy environment, you’re here. If you seek positive work-life balance and a chance to make a valuable impact with your life’s work, you're in the right spot!

Begin your journey with OVPD by looking though our application process. Below you will find information and details regarding our highly competitive pay and benefits packages. We’re confident you’ll find what you’re looking for in Oro Valley. We’re honored to be a part of your journey.

Still have questions? We can’t wait to answer them. Please Contact Sgt. Kevin Peterson at (520) 229-4912 or OVPD Recruiting and we would be happy to help. Good luck to you while you look for a new adventure and we hope you will consider allowing us to be part of it.

Police Recruit

Minimum Recruit Applicant Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or G.E.D.
  • At least 21 years of age (prior to academy graduation)
  • Valid Arizona driver's license (at time of hire)
  • United States citizen
  • Be of excellent character
  • Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language
  • If prior military: Must have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces
  • No felony convictions
  • No unlawful use of a narcotics or dangerous drugs within the past seven years
  • No unlawful use of marijuana within the past two years
  • No pattern of drug abuse

Must be willing to work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays.

Recruit Hiring Process:

  • Online Application
  • A Personal History Questionnaire must be completed.
  • Written Exam (lateral officers excluded) 
  • Physical Agility Test (lateral officers excluded) - The following must be met by male and female applicants:

    Dynamic Strength

    Fit Force (minimum number)

    Sit-ups (in one minute)

    25

    Push-ups (in one minute)

    22

    Cardiovascular Endurance

    Maximum Time

    1.5 Mile Run

    15 minutes 28 seconds
  • Oral Boards (interview)
  • Background Investigation
    • Polygraph
  • Conditional Offer of Employment
    • Medical Exam
    • Controlled substance screening
    • Psychological Exam
  • Overall executive review (officers will be hired based upon executive review and available positions within OVPD; eligible applicants not hired will be placed on a hiring list for 6 months)
  • Police Academy
  • Field Training (12 weeks - after academy)

Apply HERE for recruit level applicants.

Lateral Officers

Lateral full-time officers (currently employed as full-time police officer) will receive the following incentives based on their years of experience:

  • Less than 1 year experience (probationary) will receive 40 hours of sick leave and 40 hours of vacation at the time of hire. They will start at Step 1 on the officer pay scale.
  • 1 year (non-probationary) to less than 5 years experience will receive 80 hours of sick leave, 80 hours of vacation time, and a signing bonus of $7,500. They will start at Step 2 on the officer pay scale.
  • 5 years or more experience will receive 80 hours of sick leave, 80 hours of vacation time, and a signing bonus of $7,500. They will start at Step 3 on the officer pay scale.

We offer police officers an excellent benefit package, which includes retirement, medical and dental, tuition reimbursement and a $1,200 uniform allowance.

Lateral applicants apply HERE

Benefits

Key benefits of joining the Oro Valley Police Department: 

  • Shift Differential of $1.50 per hour
  • Special Assignment Pay
  • Vacation and Sick Leave
  • 12 Paid Holidays + Paid Birthday Holiday every year
  • Yearly Uniform Allowance of $1,200
  • Take-Home Vehicle
  • On-Duty Fitness Program/Paid PT
  • Off-Duty Opportunities
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Training and Advancement Opportunities
  • On-Site Town Sponsored Health Clinic
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Healthcare Options
  • PSPRS Retirement Program
  • 457 Available

Click to view full details of the Human Resources benefits information.

 

Salary

OVPD recruits attending an academy start at the step 1 officer level during their pre-academy week. Step 1 of the pay scale is $27.5303 per hour, $57,263 annually. The first pay increase can be earned 12 months after starting date.

Click here to view the full salary scale.

 

 

 

 

 

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