Police Officer

Job Information

INDEPENDENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
6800 BRECKSVILLE RD
INDEPENDENCE, OHIO 44131
216-524-0885

Updated: June 20, 2024

Position Title: Police Officer

The Independence Police Department is hiring a Police Officer! To proceed in the hiring process, candidates must complete NTN’s Frontline National Exam and Personal History Questionnaire by August 23rd, 2024.

For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.independenceohio.org/government/civil_service/index.php

Salary Information: $55,447- $93,379

Benefits Information: Medical (PPO and HAS), dental, and vision benefits. Award-winning wellness program, access to exercise equipment, and time for on-duty fitness.

Department Overview: The Independence Police Department is supported by their community, council, and Mayor. The department offers detective, task force positions, K9, SRO, and more opportunities. A team-based department that supports one another.

Population: 7,600

Job Requirements

Age: 21-35

Citizenship Required: Yes

High School Grad/GED: Yes

Valid OHIO Driver’s License: Yes

Ability to Read/Speak English: Yes

College: Not required – extra credit given

Academy Certification: OPOTA certificate preferred, extra credit points awarded for academy cadets or those with OPOTA certificate

Prior Experience: Not required

Necessary Certifications: OPOTA certification, completed or date it will be completed. If the certificate is expired, the department will play for the OPOTA refresher class, not the entire academy.

Additional Requirements: Complete and perform the OPOTA physical agility test for the age bracket.

Hiring Process: NTN test, resume review, physical agility test (in-person), panel interview. Extensive background check, polygraph, psychological (PRADCO), Stress Test, Medical Exam

INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXAMINATION 2024
POSITION OF POLICE PATROL OFFICER

The Competitive Examination for the position of Police Patrol Officer for the City of Independence will be given in three parts.

The first part will be a “Written Test” that will be held from June 24, 2024, to August 23, 2024, at a National Testing Network (NTN) testing location. The score of this test accounts for 50% of the total grade.

The second part will be a “Physical Agility Test” given at a later date in the City of Independence.  The Physical Agility Test will follow the OPOTA state fitness standards.

After reviewing applications, those selected to move on will participate in an “Oral Board Interview” with high-ranking officials from within the department, the score of which accounts for 50% of the total grade.

ELIGIBILITY.  The examination is open to any individual meeting all the following criteria:

• He/She is a citizen of the United States or is in the process of becoming a citizen of the United States per Independence Service Rule V. (A) (2),
• He/She is at least twenty-one (21) years of age prior to the date of his/her original appointment,
• He/She will not have reached the age of thirty-five (35) or older on or before his/her date of original appointment,
• He/She has graduated from high school or has obtained his/her G.E.D.,
• He/She is in good physical and mental health and of good moral character and habit,
• He/She possesses a valid driver’s license.
• APPLICATIONS:  The application submitted to the National Testing Network (NTN) will be accepted as the candidate’s formal application.

Applications submitted after August 23, 2024, will not be accepted.

DISQUALIFICATION NOTICE – APPLICANTS who do not complete the application form, provide false information, or do not include all the required information listed above shall be removed from consideration.

*The only way to register for the online written test is to contact the National Testing Network (NTN) at www.nationaltestingnetwork.com  

EXTRA CREDIT
Those wishing to receive any of the below extra credit must provide documentation on or before the Physical Agility Test date.

PLEASE NOTE:  The maximum extra credit percentage points an applicant can earn is limited to 20 points after receiving the minimum passing grade on his/her written test. The Commission reserves the right to reject applicants’ information after submitting their application.

Military Credit:  An applicant with a certificate of service or honorable discharge (DD214) shall receive an additional credit of 5 points to his/her written test grade.

Certified O.P.O.T.A. Certificate or Academy Credit:  An applicant with an Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy certificate (current or expired within one year) shall receive an additional credit of 5 points to his/her written test grade.  An applicant currently enrolled in a police academy shall receive an additional 2 points to his/her written test grade.

Independence Employee Credit: An applicant who is currently employed for the City of Independence in a full-time or part-time capacity and has worked for the city for at least one full calendar year from the date of the examination notice shall receive an additional credit of 5 points to his/her written test grade.

College Credit:  An applicant who possesses a two-year associate degree receives 2 points, and a four-year bachelor’s degree would be two additional points (maximum of 4 points) to his/her written test grade.

JOB DESCRIPTION
GENERAL PURPOSE – Police Officers who report to Sergeants and Lieutenants are responsible for protecting life, health, and property; preventing and detecting crimes; preserving the public peace; protecting the rights of all citizens; and assisting citizens in problem identification and resolution.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Patrol the city in assigned zones through a police vehicle and/or on foot.
• Monitor and observe traffic flow and conditions by mobile patrol while operating a police vehicle and communicating verbally and/or in writing.
• Operate mechanical and electronic equipment, including but not limited to radar, radio, breathalyzer, weaponry, computers, and traffic signals.
• Enforce laws by knowing and determining what laws are violated; positively identify violators; apprehend, arrest, and process violators by issuing warnings, citations, and/or summons; serve warrants; make summary arrests; and appear in courts of law.
• Investigate complaints and respond to emergency and non-emergency calls, accidents, and disasters.
• Secure crime, accident, and disaster scenes; administer first aid to sick and/or injured persons; remove, carry, and/or transport sick or injured persons; determine, notify, and/or request appropriate support agencies.
• Monitor prisoner behavior (i.e., meals, bathing, sleeping, etc.); perform all necessary jail functions.
• Interacted with the public as the police department’s first line of communication by providing information, gathering data, intervening, and assisting in the resolution of problems, misunderstandings, and disputes.
• Perform any other duties as may be required and/or directed.
• Independence Police Department offers full testing services for the position of Police Patrol Officer through National Testing Network (NTN). To register with NTN and schedule a test, go to www.nationaltestingnetwork.com, select ‘Find Jobs,’ then select Law Enforcement Jobs and sign up for the Independence Police Department.

When you visit the www.nationaltestingnetwork.com website:

• Complete the NTN registration process and schedule your test.
• Review all information related to the Independence Police Department.
• Patrol Officer, including minimum requirements, salary, and benefits.
• Review detailed information about the testing process.
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions and take an online practice test (if desired).
• Upon completion of your scheduled exam, scores are automatically forwarded to Independence Police Department. Candidates who attain a passing score on the entry-level exam will be considered for the Independence Police Department’s eligibility list.
• Department personnel will contact candidates on the list and will invite them to participate in further stages of the selection process.

National Testing Network is a service provided to conduct entry-level testing in a standardized, professional environment. It does not replace the Independence Police Department’s responsibility and decision-making in the testing process. All candidate results are provided to the Independence Police Department, where the final decisions are made.