Becoming a Police Officer



Eligibility for Hire

 

Eligibility for appointment to sworn positions in the Russellville Police Department is governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 14-51-301, as that statute may be amended from time to time. All necessary prerequisites to being considered for such positions shall be included in job postings distributed by the HR Department. In addition to the minimum qualifications stated below, applicants must comply with any deadlines for submitting all necessary information in order to be eligible to compete in the hiring process. Deadlines for submitting such necessary information shall be set by the HR Department. Selection of the Police Chief is not governed by these Rules and Regulations.

Qualifications

 

To be considered for employment as a police officer with the Russellville Police Department, applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications, most of which are promulgated by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards ("ACLES"). In the event of additions or modifications adopted by the ACLES, such changes shall be followed, and will be included in this section without need of a public hearing: 

  • Applicant must turn twenty-one (21) years of age within six (6) months of the test date;
  • High school graduate or possess GED;
  • No felony convictions or misdemeanor domestic abuse convictions;
  • Be of good character as determined by a thorough background investigation;
  • Have acceptable vision (uncorrected visual acuity must not exceed 20/100 in either eye, correctable to 20/20 or better in each eye);
  • Possess normal hearing and be free of any hearing defect which, in the opinion of the physician administering the required post-offer physical examination, could adversely affect the performance of duty; and
  • Citizen of the United States at the time of hire;
  • Have a valid state Driver's License;
  • Successfully complete a physical agility test, psychological examination, and post-offer physical examination, including a post-offer of employment drug test. 

Hiring Process


1.  Physical Agility Test

This test is the first of several tests required during the application process. Applicants will first take a Physical Agility Test (PAT).  Photo identification is also required to participate in this process (no exceptions).  The test will be administered at the Russellville Police Department Training Facility at 1721 Airport Rd. Russellville, AR.  Look for a paved road on the left between the National Guard Armory and the Airport.   The testing area is at the end of this road.  Applicants arriving after 8:00 a.m. will not be allowed to participate in the test (no exceptions).  This test is a timed event requiring running, jumping, climbing, and crawling, so wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Closed toe shoes or boots are recommended. The test is conducted outdoors and will not be cancelled or rescheduled due to inclement weather, lightning excluded. Applicants must successfully pass this test in order to continue the application process. See PAT Diagram here.

All applicants will be given an orientation and walk-through. No one will be allowed to take the test unless they fully understand what is expected of them. You can also view the video below of an officer going through the PAT.


2.  Written Examination

Those candidates who successfully passed the Physical Agility Test continue the hiring process by completing the Civil Service Written Examination. Photo identification is also required to participate in this process (no exceptions). Directly following the conclusion of the Physical Agility Test, The Civil Service Written Examination will be administered at the Russellville Police Department at 115 West H Street. Applicants must score a minimum of 70% to pass the exam. All applicants will be contacted by phone (usually within three days) and informed if they passed or failed the written examination. Do not call the Police Department to obtain your score, you will be notified. A study guide and practice test are available to purchase here.

3. Background Investigation

The next step for the applicants will be to undergo a complete background investigation including a Truth Verification test. Candidates receive a background packet which must be completed within a specified time. Failure to complete any part of the background packet will terminate the application process. Applicants who pass the background will be contacted by the Chief of Police for a final interview. When a Police Officer position becomes available, applicants will be notified in the order of ranking to continue with the application process. Applicants not passing the background investigation will be notified. Candidates receiving conditional offers of employment will undergo a physical and psychological exam, visual acuity test, hearing exam, and drug screen.