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Becoming an Idaho Falls Police Officer
Our agency and the Idaho Falls community have a lot to offer. We are fortunate to serve a community that is genuinely supportive of law enforcement and partners with us to make Idaho Falls a great place to work, live, and enjoy.
Idaho Falls serves as the "hub" for Eastern Idaho. With 67,000 full time residents, plus a large number of people who come into the city each day for work, commerce, travel, and play, we stay busy.
As the fourth largest municipal law enforcement agency in the state, and the largest in Eastern Idaho, our agency is large enough to support a variety of special teams and assignments. Idaho Falls Police Officers enjoy rewarding and challenging careers with opportunities to develop as individuals, get involved with the community, and enjoy all the benefits of eastern Idaho life.
Want to learn more about our recruitment and hiring process? Have specific questions you would like to talk to us about?
Text "JoinIFPD" to (208)357-9867
Call the Professional Standards Bureau at (208)612-8663
Individuals who have never been police officers before should apply for the "Police Officer" entry-level positions. At this time, these positions are continuously open and applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
To Apply
- Register for the physical and written exams at PublicSafetyTesting.com
- Submit an application on the IdahoFallsIdaho.gov employment page through the Police Officer posting.
BOTH STEPS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE YOUR APPLICATION CONSIDERED.
The IFPD will administer the in-person written exam and physical agility test on the following dates:
- January 24, 2023
- March 14, 2023
- June 13, 2023
- September 12, 2023.
We strongly recommend that you prepare for the physical fitness exam. The exam process and requirements can be viewed here.
The IFPD conducts all police officer testing through www.publicsafetytesting.com (PST). This allows you to take our written and physical agility tests at various locations around the country, as found on PST’s website. Make sure to select the Idaho Falls Police Department on the PST website when you sign up so we are notified of your results if you aren’t testing in person at IFPD.
Whether you test in-person at IFPD or online through PST, you must fill out an application on the City of Idaho Falls website and you must register for testing through PST’s website.
To apply for the written exam and physical agility:
- Go to https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/
- Under Sign Up, click on Police Officer
- Select Idaho under Police/Sheriff/Trooper then click Next
- Click the checkbox next to IF Police Department then click Next
It will guide you through the registration and sign up process. Please note that there is a charge for the exam.
Through https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/:
- Applicants will be able to send their test results to the Idaho Falls Police Department.
- Applicants will be able to access information on testing procedures.
- Applicants will be able to choose a testing date, time, and location most convenient for them.
For further test dates and locations, or if you have questions about testing, please call PST at 1-866-HIRE911 (1-866-447-3911) or access the information on their website at https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/ You can also contact IFPD directly at (208)612-8663.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To be eligible, candidates must meet the following requirements:
1. United States citizenship (this is a POST Certification requirement).
2. 21 years of age by date of hire.
3. High School Diploma or GED equivalent (copy of transcripts required).
4. A valid driver's license.
5. The ability to successfully complete all testing requirements.
6. Good written and oral communication skills.
7. The ability to function on a day-to-day basis with limited supervision.
8. Certified by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) Council within one year of employment.
9. Successful candidates must pass a thorough background investigation.
10. Successful candidates must pass medical, polygraph and psychological examinations (after a contingent offer of employment).
Lateral police officers are those who have already completed POST training and have served as police officers in another jurisdiction, including other states. We welcome officers from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. If you are a police officer interested in relocating to Idaho Falls, we look forward to meeting you and learning what you hope to bring to our team and the Idaho Falls community.
To Apply...
Submit an application on the IdahoFallsIdaho.gov employment page through the Police Officer, Lateral posting.
Your application and resume will be reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications established by the State of Idaho and Idaho Falls Police Department
If you meet the requirements established by the Police Department, you will be invited to participate in an oral board interview and physical fitness test.
If you pass those, you will be moved through to the background process which includes a detailed background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological examination and physical examination.
Lateral Officer Pay
Lateral Police Officers are offered additional compensation based on their years of experience for up to 10 years at the following rates
- 2 years – $28.12
- 3 years – $29.06
- 4 years – $30.03
- 5 years – $30.89
- 6 years – $31.26
- 7 years – $31.64
- 8 years – $32.02
- 9 years – $32.40
- 10 years – $32.79
Idaho Falls Police Department will use the following criteria when selecting lateral applicants to participate in the lateral testing process:
- Must be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien who is legally authorized to work in the United States
- High School graduation or possession of a GED or equivalent
- Not less than 21 years of age at the time of appointment
- Must possess or obtain a valid Idaho Driver's License by date of appointment.
Idaho Lateral Applicants
- Prior service within any police/law enforcement agency within the State of Idaho
- Cumulative related service in Idaho must include a minimum of two (2) years of uniformed patrol as a commissioned law enforcement officer (POST Certified).
- And validated evidence of successful completion of a related training academy certified by the appropriate state, federal or local regulatory or oversight agency.
Outside-Idaho Lateral Applicants
- Service in a city or metropolitan as defined below:
- Service in a city of at least 30,000 population as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget; OR
- Service in a city that is part of a Metropolitan Area with at least 60,000 population as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget; AND
- Cumulative related service must include a minimum of two (2) years of uniform patrol duty as a commissioned law enforcement officer (POST Certified or equivalent)
- And, validated evidence of successful completion of a related training academy certified by the appropriate state, federal or local regulatory or oversight agency.
Military Police, Detention/Correction Officer, Reserve Officer, University/Campus Police, Park Ranger/Park Police, Capital Police, Detention/Jail/Court Security Sheriff's Deputy or Marshall, Special District Police, Railroad Police and federal law enforcement personnel will NOT be considered as previous related experience.