Full Time Police Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $40.69 - $50.03 Hourly
Location : Des Moines, IA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 9748-06-2026
Department: Police
Division: PD220352 - PD Personnel & Training
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 4:00 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: POL
Occupational Group: Civil Service
Location of Vacancy: Des Moines Police Department
Recruitment: Entrance
Selection Method: All candidates meeting the minimum requirements will be invited to participate in the Cooper (physical agility) Test. Applicants passing the Cooper Test will take the Police Officer Selection Test (POST) written examination. All candidates meeting the minimum requirements will be invited to participate in the Cooper (physical agility) Test. Applicants passing the Cooper Test will take the Police Officer Selection Test (POST) written examination (Iowa Certified Police Officers will not be required to retake the POST). Candidates passing the POST will be scheduled for the polygraph exam and background investigation. In the event, there are more than 40 candidates moving forward after the polygraph exam and background investigation, Iowa Code section 400.12A requires consideration of no more than 40 applicants and those tied for 40th. Therefore, those candidates who successfully move forward may participate in further selection steps and notice of additional steps will be provided if they arise. The top 40 candidates and those tied for 40th will move forward to the department for consideration.
General Statement of Duties
The City of Des Moines is seeking applicants interested in a career as a Police Officer with the Des Moines Police Department. If you are at least 21 years of age (by September 4, 2026), a problem solver who wants to work with people from all cultures, races and economic backgrounds, and have good moral character and integrity, we welcome your application.
Acceptable Experience and Training
Current Iowa certified law enforcement officers with the appropriate sworn, post-academy experience qualify for a Police Officer lateral transfer as outlined below:

• No less than 400 hours of certifying basic law enforcement training school;
• Two years of experience as a certified Police Officer in the State of Iowa after graduating from academy without a break in service of more than 12-months from the appointment date; and
• Candidates must have a valid Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Certification in good standing.

NOTE: Iowa Certified Police Officers selected for the lateral training officer program will participate in 4 to 6 weeks of knowledge, skills, and performance assessment, along with skills enhancement training. Those who successfully complete the lateral training officer program will enter field training. Officers who are deemed less prepared for field training and solo patrol responsibilities may be required to attend the full 24-week academy.
Current out-of-state certified law enforcement officers with the appropriate sworn, post-academy experience must meet the below requirements:

• Proof of State Certification as a Certified Police Officer
• No less than 400 hours of certifying basic law enforcement training school;
• Two years of experience as a Certified Police Officer after graduating from academy and without a break in service of more than 12-months from the appointment date and with the ability to become Certified with the State of Iowa within 120 days of appointment date.

NOTE: Out-of-state Certified Police Officers will attend a full 24-week academy.
Entrance Level Applicants

• Graduated from high school or G.E.D.
• Citizen of the United States; and
• 21 Years of age on or before September 4, 2026.

Use the links below for Police Officer Applicant Testing Resources:
Cooper Assessment Preparation Guide (physical fitness test)
POST Study Guide (written exam)
For additional information and resources, visit the Police Department recruitment page at
Your application must be submitted online by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 4, 2026. Items listed below must be attached to your online application or submitted separately to and Human Resources by the indicated due dates. Documents Required for a complete application by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2026:

1. Photocopy of driver's license
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship (such as a photocopy of one of the following: U.S. Birth Certificate from state or county, U.S. Passport, Certificate of Citizenship, or Naturalization Certificate)
3. High school diploma (or other proof of high school graduation) or G.E.D. and College transcripts, if any
4. References - names and contact information of 3 personal and 3 professional references
5. Police Officer Physical Conditioning Waiver (See 2026 Police Officer Recruitment Packet)
6. Authority for Release of Information -must be notarized (See 2026 Police Officer Recruitment Packet)
7. DD214 Form for military service, if any (If you are unable to submit your DD214 by please contact the City's Human Resources Department with expectation of when it will be available)
8. DMPD Personal History Statement.
9. Certified Police Officers only - Current and Former Police Officer Packet.

**In addition to the above required documents, if you are an Iowa Certified Police Officer or an Out-of-State Certified Officer the below documents are also required to be submitted by the deadline: Proof of State Certification as a Certified Police Officer AND proof of 400 hours of certifying basic law enforcement training school (transcripts/syllabi).
** All of the above documents must be legible.
**REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION MAY BE EMAILED, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED OR MAILED TO HUMAN RESOURCES.
EMAIL:
Fax: 515-237-1680
HAND DELIVERED OR MAILED
City of Des Moines
Attn: Human Resources Dept.
1200 Locust St. Des Moines, IA 50309
Summary Of Benefits
Required Special Qualifications

• Possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State of Iowa or evidence of equivalent mobility; and
• No felony convictions or convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude; and
• Free of drug or alcohol addiction; and
• Meet minimum requirements to be a law enforcement officer consistent with Iowa Code chapter 80(B) and its administrative rules.
• All appointments will be conditional upon the passage of medical, physical fitness, and psychological exams required by the State of Iowa. The medical exam includes a screening for drug use.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)
01
Are you or will you be at least 21 years of age on or before September 4, 2026?

• Yes
• No

02
Are you or will you be a citizen of the United States on or before Friday, September 4, 2026?

• Yes
• No

03
Have you or will you have graduated from high school or earned your G.E.D. on or before Friday, September 4, 2026?

• Yes
• No

04
Have you completed, or will you complete, 24 months of post-academy experience, including at least 18 months of patrol duties with a governmental law enforcement agency, by the application deadline?

• Yes
• No
• N/A

05
I understand that I need to provide proof of completion of a basic law enforcement training school by Friday, September 11, 2026, at 4:00PM.

• I am certified through ILEA and have attached or will provide proof of certification by 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2026.
• I am certified outside of Iowa and have attached or will provide proof of certification and proof of 400 hours of training (transcripts/syllabi from certifying academy) by 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2026.
• N/A

06
I understand that to apply for the Police Officer position I am required to print and complete the 2026 Police Officer Recruitment Packet found in the job announcement and on the Police Officer Recruitment page at dsm.city/joinDMPD and follow the due dates for required documentation.

• Yes
• No

07
I acknowledge and understand that if selected for this position earnings from this job are not covered under Social Security (i.e., you will not pay Social Security taxes). This means that you will not earn credits for Social Security retirement or disability benefits in this job. For additional information about this you can visit www.ssa.gov.

• Yes
• No

08
I understand that the Des Moines Police Department has a policy regulating tattoos (included in the 2026 Police Officer Recruitment Packet) and if I do not meet the requirements of the policy, I may be dismissed from the process. Please note that the tattoo policy must be met by the appointment date.

• Yes
• No

09
An applicant must be of good moral character, which means they can be trusted and are considered by those who know them to be a person of good reputation and good standing in the community. When conduct is of a nature that would tend to discredit the applicant as a peace officer, the applicant will be disqualified from employment consideration. Please show your understanding by marking Yes/No

• Yes
• No

10
An applicant will not be considered for employment at any time if they have been convicted of any felony, domestic abuse, or a conviction involving moral turpitude. Moral turpitude can be, but not limited to any of the following acts: Income tax evasion, perjury, indecent exposure, sex crimes, conspiracy to commit a crime, defrauding the government and illegal drug sales. Have you ever been convicted of any of the above?

• Yes
• No

11
Use of marijuana after July 6, 2025, will result in automatic disqualification. Have you used marijuana since July 6, 2025?

• Yes
• No

12
Use of other illegal drugs including prescription drugs not prescribed to you (other than marijuana) after July 6, 2023, will result in automatic disqualification. Have you used other illegal drugs since July 6, 2023?

• Yes
• No

13
Please provide details on where you heard about this opportunity.
Required Question