NOW HIRING POLICE OFFICERS $27.13- $37.98 

Apply online at:  www.ottawaks.gov/police 

NOTE- Police Officers certified by KS-CPOST are exempt from written testing. 

The Ottawa Police Department is seeking highly motivated applicants for the position of Police Officer  who are committed to a long career with our department. The men and women of the Department are  guided by the following values: To Protect and Serve with Duty, Honor, Integrity, Trust.  

With an authorized strength of 30 officers serving a growing population of nearly 13,000 there is room  for advancement. Positions include Detective, Drug Detective, DARE Instructor, School Resource Officer  (SRO), Master Police Officer, STAR Team (Special Tactics and Rescue), K9 Handler and Community Police  Officer. All specialty positions include a take-home vehicle.  

The pay range for Master Police Officer is $29.03 to $40.64. Officers are eligible to achieve the rank of  Master Police Officer based on a combination of skill points and years of service in about 3 years. 

To accomplish our goals the latest technology and police practices are used. The Department operates a  modern weapons range as part of a comprehensive training program. The range has a rifle range up to  150 yards and is equipped for night shooting, moving targets, 25-foot platform tower and steel range.  Each officer qualifies with the standard issue Glock 17 Gen. 5 handgun, AR-15 rifle (in each car), 37MM  Less-Lethal munitions, Taser, and Bola Wrap. Handgun optics issued beginning in 2026. 

The department uses a combination of mobile LPR (in all patrol units), fixed Flock LPR cameras and  several technology programs to help detect and identify criminal activity. The department has a mix of  all manufacturers for patrol vehicles, armored rescue vehicle, special response vehicle, UTV, uAUS, and  fleet of police bicycles used for special events.  

The Department has a fitness room in the Law Enforcement Center equipped with free weights,  functional fitness equipment, cardio machines, and mat area. Patrol schedule includes 12-hour shifts  and two weekends off each month (4-day and 3-day). Officers are issued all equipment, including boots.  Beards, goatees, mustaches, and tattoos are allowed.  

Professional Development Program: The Professional Development Program allows officers to advance  their careers through a combination of specified training and certifications plus tenure. Officers can  achieve the rank of Master Police Officer with about three years of experience and training.

Lateral Transfer: Certified officers with road patrol experience will be awarded service credit for years of  completed service at the discretion of the Police Chief. The pay rate will be established based on  comparable wages with current Ottawa Police Officers. Lateral transfers may be exempt from physical  agility testing if the employing agency has a similar agility standard in place, discretion is up to the Police  Chief. 

Minimum Qualifications: Employees must be a Kansas resident upon hire, 21 years of age at time of  appointment and a U.S. citizen, possess a valid Kansas driver’s license upon appointment, and be insurable  by the city’s insurance carrier; high school diploma or GED is required, college credit preferred. Applicants must establish and maintain residency within Franklin County or within a driving distance of 35 miles of  the Ottawa City Hall, AND within the state of Kansas within one year of hire. Applicants must successfully  complete the following: written entrance exam, physical agility testing, and oral panel interview.  Candidates recommended for hire will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug  screen, polygraph, psychological, and physical exams. Candidates must meet licensing requirements set  by KSCPOST and the Kansas Training Act. 

Automatic Disqualifiers: 

• Convicted of, or admission to a felony or any offense that would be constituted as a felony  within the State of Kansas or the United States. 
• Convicted of, or admission to, or diversion of a Class “A” or “B” misdemeanor or similar crime  from another state within the past three (3) years or been convicted of any crime of a sexual  nature. 
• Has been dishonorably discharged from any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
• Has had state certification as a Law Enforcement Officer denied, revoked, or suspended.
• Falsified or lied about any information requested in a questionnaire or application as part of  the hiring process. 
• Exhibited any conduct or a pattern of conduct that would tend to disrupt, diminish, or  otherwise jeopardize public trust in the law enforcement profession. 
• Have used marijuana or synthetic drugs within the past one (1) year. 
• Have used prescription medication illegally within the past three (3) years. 
• Have used any other illegal drug within the last five (5) years. 
• Have an established pattern of prescription medication abuse. 
• Have an established pattern of alcohol abuse. Have had a Driving Under the Influence (DUI)  conviction or diversion as an adult within the last five years or show a pattern of traffic law  violations that indicate disrespect for traffic laws and disregard for public safety; or have had  their driver’s license suspended or revoked within the past three (3) years. 

Date Opened: 10-23-2025 

Date Closed: 11-22-2025 

Classification: Full Time, Rotating Shift Work 

Starting Pay: $27.13/hour. Overtime paid after 80 hours per pay period. Hours: Day Shift: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Night Shift: 8 p.m-8 a.m.; 2 weekends off in a row (4-  day followed by 3-day weekend)