Police Officer

Salary : $69,264.00 - $103,084.80 Annually

Location : Police- 505 1st St SW Cedar Rapids, IA

Job Type: Full-Time

Department: Police

Division: Police

Opening Date: 11/01/2025

Closing Date: 1/8/2026 11:59 PM Central

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: POLICE

About

Join Our Team - Protect and Serve Your Community

Are you ready to make a real impact in your community? We're looking for dedicated individuals to join our dynamic police force and help us maintain safety and security in the City of Cedar Rapids. If you're passionate about law enforcement and committed to making a positive difference, we want to hear from you. To learn about our Police Officer selection process please review our Additional information can be found on the Cedar Rapids Police Department Employment webpage.

About our Organization

At the City, we are committed to employing individuals who reflect our community's diverse backgrounds and this position is crucial in the success and strategic direction of a growing and evolving community. We appreciate and leverage the vast experience individuals bring beyond the technical requirements of a job. If you are an individual with similar experience listed here please consider applying. Experience and skills combined with commitment to our core values is key to building a greater community now and for the next generation.

About our Community

Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Cedar Rapids is our vibrant and diverse community known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Our city has a strong sense of community which can be seen at any of our numerous parks, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly events year round. You can also explore our thriving downtown district, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, or take a stroll along the Cedar River, which runs through the heart of the city.

About this Opportunity

Police Officers provide direct services in the enforcement of the law, maintenance of public order, control of traffic in City streets by the performance of surveillance, intervention, arrest, direction of emergency activities or a variety of related acts.

The City of Cedar Rapids does not offer sponsorship for employment authorization.

Position Functions

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Patrols City streets;

Responds to calls for police assistance or service;

Directs traffic where needed;

Provides emergency assistance to ill or injured citizens;

Arrests law violators; testifies in judicial proceedings;

Maintains custody of prisoners;

Makes reports;

Conducts initial investigation of alleged criminal conduct;

Maintains order in crowds;

Advises public on laws in force;

Enforces traffic laws, issues citations where indicated;

Investigates suspicious persons or activities;

Records, stores, and is responsible for evidence for future court cases, and lost items that have been found and turned in by members of the general public;

Attends roll-calls;

Attends training sessions;

Other duties as assigned;

Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures and safety practices;

Attends work regularly at the designated place and time;

Supports continuous process improvement initiatives;

Performs related work as required. Qualifications

New Officer Compensation

Police Officers are covered under the . All new police officer hires begin employment at step 1 (minimum) of the wage scale.

New Hire1 year2 years3 years4 years5 years6 years7 years8 years9 years10 years$33.30$34.67$36.02$37.45$38.96$40.54$42.13$43.80$45.57$47.41$49.56

Lateral Transfers

Certified law enforcement officers who work for another Iowa agency or who work outside the State of Iowa are accepted as lateral transfers. (To be eligible to apply as a candidate for the lateral hire program, the applicant must have been a full-time certified peace officer without a break of not more than 180 days from law enforcement service when hired by the CRPD. The hiring date will be based on the first day of actual employment with the CRPD.) Lateral transfers are hired at our pay step consistent with the total number of years of service as a Certified Peace Officer. Upon completion of the probationary period, lateral officers will begin accruing flex time at the rate corresponding to their total continuous certified years of service. Please review the Career Information Packet for more information.

Hiring Potential

The Cedar Rapids Police Department is hiring for multiple vacancies with an anticipated start date of May 26, 2026.

Application Instructions

All interested candidates must complete an electronic application for employment with the City of Cedar Rapids by January 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (23:59). In order for an application to be complete, candidates must consent to authorize the Cedar Rapids Police to conduct a background check as outlined within the application. Candidates who do not complete this section of the electronic application, or provide a signed copy of the authorization form will not be moved forward to the testing process.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

The City of Cedar Rapids is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All job applicants will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history).

Applicants with Disabilities

We respect and value people with disabilities and are committed to providing a workplace culture of disability inclusion. People with disabilities are supported during the hiring process and are encouraged to apply for employment with the City of Cedar Rapids. In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided to those in need of assistance with the application and interview process. To request an accommodation, contact the City's Human Resources department by phone at or by email at .

We offer benefits and beyond for our employees and their families!

The City of Cedar Rapids provides outstanding pay, benefits, time off, including:

Medical co-insurance for participating providers of 90% plan / 10% employee

Competitive pay

Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS), with contributions of 6.29% employee/ 9.44% City (IPERS covers Non-Sworn positions)

Municipal Fire and Police Pension System of Iowa (MFPRSI),with contributions of 9.4% employee/23.9% City (MFPRSI covers Sworn positions only)

457 deferred compensation employer match program (City will match up to 0.05% of your annual income each calendar year-learn more here.)

Flexible Spending (Health Care and Dependent Care Accounts- learn more here)

An average of 11 paid holidays per year

Up to $3,000 per year in educational assistance

4 weeks of paid parental leave

Public Service Loan Forgiveness - (The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. )

Annual pay increases

Fiscal year pay increases as determined by bargaining contract

Employees are eligible for longevity pay after 5 years of continuous service

100% City paid basic life insurance

Dental, vision, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance

View our

Expansive job growth opportunities

Commitment to professional development

Private health & wellness coaching partnerships

01

How did you hear about this opportunity, more specifically?

Billboard

Streaming platform

Commercial

Youtube

Corridor Careers

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)

Police One

Discover Policing (IACP)

Iowa Association of Women Police (IaAWP)

Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA)

CyHire

Indeed

Handshake (College Job Boards)

City Employee Referral

City's Website

Career Fair/College Visit

ZipRecruiter

Other

02

If you selected "Other", please specify how you heard about this opportunity.

03

Please provide your Driver's License number.

04

What state was your Driver's License issued in?

05

Provide your date of birth below as MM/DD/YYYY:

06

Please provide your Social Security Number.

07

Will you be at least 18 years of age on the appointment date of May 12, 2026?

Yes

No

08

Minimum standards for law enforcement officers is set by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (501-2.1(80B) state that no person shall be selected or appointed as a law enforcement officer unless such person is a United States Citizen. Are you a citizen of the United States or will you be a citizen by the application deadline?

Yes

No

09

Minimum standards for law enforcement officers is set by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (501-2.1(80B) state that no person shall be selected or appointed as a law enforcement officer unless such person is a resident of Iowa or intends to become a resident upon being employed. Are you currently a resident of Iowa?

Yes

No

10

If the answer to either of the questions is "no", will you achieve citizenship prior to May 12, 2026 and/or become an Iowa resident upon offer of employment? Please specify.

11

(Please note: The existence of a conviction record may not automatically disqualify you from the position you are applying for. It will be reviewed along with other information that is relevant to the position.)Have you ever been convicted of any traffic violation? If yes, please specify.If you marked yes, please include the details of the conviction including the date, violation, disposition if convicted, city and state where it occurred.

12

Have you ever been convicted of any other crime other than a traffic violation? If yes, please specify.If you marked yes, please include the details of the conviction including the date, crime, disposition if convicted, city and state where it occurred.

13

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a domestic assault, child abuse, or any other crime resulting from domestic or child abuse? Respond yes or no. If yes, please provide details.

14

Have you ever committed or been convicted of an illegal sex act? Respond yes or no. If yes, please provide details.

15

Have you used marijuana and/or THC products in the last two (2) years? If yes, please include the last date used and explain.

16

Have you ever used any other illegal drug at all in the past three (3) years (including anabolic steroids after February 27, 1991)? If yes, explain.

17

Have you ever unlawfully sold any type of drug(s)? If yes, explain.

18

Have you ever unlawfully bought any type of drug(s)? If yes, explain.

19

Has your license, in any state, ever been suspended, revoked, or barred? Respond yes or no. If yes, please explain.

20

Are you wanted by the police anywhere at this time (including traffic warrants for traffic tickets)? Respond yes or no. If yes, please provide details.

21

Have you ever failed to file an income tax return or lied on your income tax return? Respond yes or no. If yes, please provide details.

22

I have read the career packet and understand the many steps in the hiring process that I will be asked to participate in.

Yes

No

23

Are you willing to use force, when necessary, to fulfill your duties as a Police Officer?

Yes

No

24

Are you a certified peace officer? Respond yes or no. If yes, in what state and when did you receive your certification?

25

Upon employment with the City of Cedar Rapids, any secondary employment outside of the position you are hired for must be approved by the Department Director as well as Human Resources Director. (See Section 2, Subsection 06 (2.06) of the City's Personnel Policy here: Please initial below if you acknowledge that you would adhere to this policy if selected for this position.

26

Background Check Electronic Consent for Authorization. To be considered for employment with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, a criminal history record check, motor vehicle record check, and social security number verification will be conducted. This may include, but not be limited to, public record information from federal, state, and other agencies (private or public) that maintain records regarding arrest or conviction records, fingerprint records, and driving records. To conduct a complete and accurate criminal history record check and motor vehicle record check, your authorization is required. We will use the demographic information submitted with your application to ensure an accurate result. Cedar Rapids Police Department is not permitted to provide a physical copy of the criminal history record received. However, if you wish to challenge the accuracy or completeness of your criminal history record, you should send your challenge to the agency that contributed the information. Electronic Signature Consent. By selecting "I hereby provide my electronic signature consent below, I am consenting to an electronic signature, and hereby authorize the Cedar Rapids Police Department to conduct a criminal history record check, driving record check, and social security number authorization. This can include criminal history data which may include information concerning completed deferred judgments and arrests without disposition. Further, I understand if I wish to revoke my electronic signature consent for these purposes, I must do so in writing to the City of Cedar Rapids Human Resources department. By selecting "I decline to provide my electronic signature consent below, I am declining to consent to an electronic signature, and to be considered for employment as a City of Cedar Rapids Police Officer, Further, I understand my application is not complete until I provide the City of Cedar Rapids a completed Criminal History Record Check Authorization form. Forms can be found at

I hereby provide my electronic signature consent and authorize the City of Cedar Rapids to conduct the background checks outlined.

I decline to provide my electronic signature consent and do not authorize the City of Cedar Rapids to conduct the background checks outlined. I will provide the City of Cedar Rapids with a completed Background Check Authorization form with my signature.

Required Question