The steps to becoming a police officer in Missouri are very close to those laid out on the main page. Individuals wishing to apply must meet minimum requirements and complete an application to a specific police department or specific opening. Following the submittal of the application, Missouri applicants take substance abuse questionnaire. This questionnaire and a ride-a-long prior to the police academy training are the only real differences between the Missouri process and the process explained on the homepage.
How to Become a Police Officer in Missouri
The following list includes all the minimum requirements for those wishing to become law enforcement officers in the state of Missouri. If a person is able to meet all of these requirements then they are permitted to apply for a police job.
- Be able to own and operate a firearm
- Able to clearly communicate verbally
- Height and weight proportional
- Missouri driver’s license by date of hire
- S. citizen
- At least 21 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- Honorable discharge from the military, if applicable
- No excessive traffic violations or history of drug use
- No felony convictions
Salary for Law Enforcement Jobs in Missouri
The mean yearly wages of patrol officers in Missouri is approximately 41,000 a year. There is opportunity to reach a higher pay level through spending years of good service in the force. Education can increase pay (above and beyond the required high school diploma) and so can being promoted to a higher rank. For instance, detective and criminal investigators in Missouri make around 54,400 per year.
Law Enforcement Programs at Schools in Missouri
Below is a list of schools in Missouri with degree programs related to law enforcement. Those wishing to pursue a degree to better their chances of getting hired, can begin by looking into these schools and programs.
- Avila University
11901 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145
816-942-8400
- Central Methodist University
411 Central Methodist Square, Fayette, MO 65248
660-248-3391
- College of the Ozarks
100 Opportunity Avenue, Point Lookout, MO 65726
417-334-6411
- Columbia College
1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216
573-875-8700
- Crowder College
601 Laclede Ave, Neosho, MO 64850
417-451-3223
- Culver-Stockton College
1 College Hill, Canton, MO 63435
573-288-6000
- East Central College
1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union, MO 63084
636-584-6500
- Evangel University
1111 N Glenstone Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802
417-865-2815
- Hannibal-Lagrange University
2800 Palmyra Road, Hannibal, MO 63401
573-221-3675
- Harris-Stowe State University
3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103
314-340-3366
- Jefferson College
1000 Viking Drive, Hillsboro, MO 63050
636-789-3000
- Lincoln University
820 Chestnut Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-681-5000
- Lindenwood University
209 S. Kingshighway, Saint Charles, MO 63301
636-949-4949
- Maryville University of Saint Louis
650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141
314-529-9300
- Mineral Area College
5270 Flat River Road, Park Hills, MO 63601
573-431-4593
- Missouri Baptist University
1 College Park Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63141
314-434-1115
- Missouri Southern State University
3950 E Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801
417-625-9300
- Missouri State University
901 S National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65897
417-836-4126
- Missouri Valley College
500 East College Street, Marshall, MO 65340
660-831-4000
- Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Drive, Saint Joseph, MO 64507
816-271-4200
- Moberly Area Community College
101 College Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270
660-263-4100
- North Central Missouri College
1301 Main Street, Trenton, MO 64683
660-359-3948
- Park University
8700 NW River Park Drive, Parkville, MO 64152
816-741-2000
- Saint Louis University
1 North Grand, Saint Louis, MO 63103
800-758-3678
- Sanford-Brown College
1345 Smizer Mill Road, Fenton, MO 63026
636-651-1600
- Southeast Missouri State University
One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
573-651-2000
- Southwest Baptist University
1600 University Avenue, Bolivar, MO 65613
417-328-5281
- St. Charles Community College
4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Cottleville, MO 63376
636-922-8000
- State Fair Community College
3201 W 16th Street, Sedalia, MO 65301
660-530-5800
- Truman State University
100 E Normal Street, Kirksville, MO 63501
660-785-4000
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110
816-235-1000
- University of Missouri-St. Louis
1 University Blvd., Saint Louis, MO 63121
314-516-5000