Job Opportunities

In order to hold the position of police officer in a First Class City, as defined by Missouri Revised Statute 590.150, a candidate seeking employment must meet specific criteria. He or she must be at least twenty-one years of age, a citizen of the State of Missouri, and qualify under the prescribed training requirements before he or she may perform the duties of a police officer. At least six hundred hours of formal classroom training at an accredited law enforcement academy are mandatory under this statute.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, effective January 26, 1992, the process of attaining employment as a Bridgeton police officer is constructed to select the most qualified applicant to meet the standards set by the community through the Police Commission. Along with the age and citizenship requirements set forth by statute, an applicant must complete a most arduous screening process. Sixty hours of college credit, or prior police experience is a prerequisite before an applicant can further proceed in the selection process. The applicants must successfully complete, among competing candidates, a physical agility fitness test, a written examination, a thorough background investigation, an oral interview before veteran police officers, and an oral interview before the Board of Police Commissioners. Four months of intensive academy training and a minimum of two months of field training with an experienced police officer are provided newly hired probationary police officers. A probationary period of twelve months from the date of hire has been established to further screen the new officer's suitability for the duties of a police officer.

All commissioned officers must attain a thorough working knowledge of Federal, State, and Municipal laws and ordinances. They must adhere to the policies, procedures, and directives of the department. All officers are required to focus their duty activities toward service to the citizens of Bridgeton.