Becoming a Police Officer in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
The Broken Arrow Police Department consists of 124 police officers working in three divisions: Headquarters, Operations, and Support. The Broken Arrow Police Department and its law enforcement officers are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, by supporting safe streets, safe schools, and safe neighborhoods.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for individuals who want to learn how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Broken Arrow:
- Meet Minimum Eligibility Requirements
- Submit an Application for Employment
- Complete Physical Agility Exam
- Take the Psychological Exam
- Undergo a Background Investigation
- Complete Employment Testing
- Complete Academy Training
Step 1. Meet Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Individuals with the goal of becoming a police officer in Broken Arrow should first thoroughly understand the minimum eligibility requirements for employment set forth by the Broken Arrow Police Department. In particular, to achieve employment as a police officer with the Broken Arrow Police Department, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Possess at least 64 hours of college credits from an accredited college or university (You can search the Institutional Accreditation System to confirm if your college is accredited.)
- Have no felony or crimes of moral turpitude convictions
- Have no more than 3 moving traffic violations within the past 5 years
- Have no convictions of involving alcohol or drugs while operating a motor vehicle, or convictions of careless or reckless driving in the past 7 years
- Have no domestic violence convictions
- Have at least 20/30 vision (corrected or uncorrected)
- Have a peripheral vision of at least 140 degrees
- Be able to distinguish red and green
- Have acceptable hearing
Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment
You must submit an Application for Employment to be considered for Broken Arrow police jobs. You can download, print and complete an Application for Employment, which also includes waivers for the release of information for the employment background investigation.
Send your completed application (except for the Physical Agility Course Release Form) to:
Broken Arrow Police Department
220 South First Street
P.O. Box 610
Broken Arrow, OK 74013
Step 3. Complete Physical Agility Exam
All qualified candidates will be contacted by the Department upon review of their employment applications. The Department will offer two separate days for candidates to take the physical agility exam.
You must bring the completed, signed, and notarized Physical Agility Course Release Form (located in the employment application packet) with you on the day of the test.
Additional information on the Physical Agility Exam, including upcoming testing dates, can be found here.
Step 4. Take the Psychological Exam
Only those candidates who pass the Physical Agility Exam will be invited to complete the (Minnesota Multi-Phasic Personality Inventory) psychological exam on the same day.
Step 5. Undergo a Background Investigation
Candidates who pass the psychological exam will undergo an extensive background investigation.
Step 6. Complete Employment Testing
Select candidates, upon passing the background investigation, will be given a tentative job offer, which is contingent upon passing all remaining employment testing, which includes a medical exam and a drug screen.
Step 7. Complete Academy Training
All new recruits are required to complete basic police academy training within one year, followed by in-service orientation training and field officer training through the Broken Arrow Police Department.
Becoming a Police Officer in Lawton, Oklahoma
The Lawton Police Department consists of more than 170 sworn officers (100 uniformed officers within the Patrol Division) and 65 civilian personnel working throughout six patrol teams and a number of specialized units.
Individuals with aspirations of becoming a police officer in Lawton may use this guide to better understand the employment process. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Lawton:
- Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
- Submit an Application for Employment
- Take the Physical Assessment
- Take the Written Examination
- Participate in a Preliminary Oral Interview
- Undergo an Extensive Background Investigation
- Meet with the Chief of Police
- Complete Employment Testing
- Attend Police Academy Training
Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
Before submitting an application for employment with the Lawton Police Department, it is best to first determine if you meet minimum employment requirements. All candidates applying for Lawton police jobs must:
- Be between the ages of 21 and 45
- Have no felony convictions
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Have no criminal misdemeanor convictions within the last 3 years
- Not be residing with anyone who has been convicted of a felony or of 2 criminal misdemeanors within the last 2 years
- Not be residing with anyone who is subject to arrest or prosecution (fugitive from justice)
- Not be on probation or have a deferred sentence for any criminal violation
- Have no convictions of, or be criminally involved with, sexual assault, public lewdness, or indecency with a child
- Have no arrests or convictions for possessing or distributing controlled substances
- Have no more than 10 traffic violation convictions within the last 5 years (or since your 18th birthday)
- Have no DUI, DWI, or APC convictions within the last 5 years
- Have never sold or abused steroids
Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment
The Lawton Police Department provides up-to-date information on its hiring status on the Employment Opportunities page of its website. If the Department is hiring, you will find application instructions on this page. You may view the Employment Video on the Employment Opportunities page, which provides an overview of the Lawton Police Department.
You can also contact the Human Resources Department at 580-581-3392 if you have any questions regarding employment opportunities and upcoming hiring dates.
Step 3. Take the Physical Assessment
During open hiring periods, the Department’s Human Resources Department will contact all eligible candidates to begin employment testing. The first stage of the employment process is the physical assessment, which includes the following:
- 300-meter run (minimum 72 seconds)
- Push-ups (in one minute)
- Sit-ups (in one minute)
- Vertical jump, in inches (minimum 16 inches)
Step 4. Take the Written Examination
Only those candidates who pass the physical assessment are eligible to take the written examination.
Step 5. Participate in a Preliminary Oral Interview
You must pass the written examination to move on to the next phase of the employment process, which is the oral interview. The first oral interview is conducted by a panel consisting of police officers and civilians. You must be recommended by the panel to continue with the employment testing process.
Step 6. Undergo an Extensive Background Investigation
The background investigation may include checks into your employment, criminal background, traffic background, and financial responsibility, among others.
Step 7. Meet with the Chief of Police
All qualified candidates who pass the background investigation meet with the Chief of Police and his staff. Only select candidates will be invited to complete the employment testing process and attend the Academy.
Step 8. Complete Employment Testing
Candidates must pass all remaining employment tests to be eligible to attend the Academy as a new recruit. Final employment testing includes a psychological examination; complete drug testing; a physical examination; and a polygraph examination.
Step 9. Attend Police Academy Training
All new Lawton Police Department recruits must complete 23 weeks of Police Academy training, followed by 16 weeks of field training.
Becoming a Police Officer in Norman, Oklahoma
The Norman Police Department’s law enforcement personnel are responsible for providing law enforcement, safety and community services to the more than 110,000 citizens of Norman, Oklahoma, the third largest city in the state. Located about 20 miles south of Oklahoma City, Norman consists of nearly 197 square miles of jurisdiction made up of both rural and urban areas.
If you’re interested in joining this proud team of law enforcement professionals and ready to lean how to become a cop in Norman by meeting the department’s police officer requirements, follow this guide:
- Meet Minimum Eligibility Requirements
- Submit an Application for Employment
- Take the Physical Ability Test
- Take the Written Test
- Meet with the Screening Board
- Undergo a Background Investigation
- Meet with the Hiring Board
- Complete Remaining Employment Test
- Attend the Norman Police Academy
Step 1. Meet Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Before pursuing a career with the Norman Police Department, it is important to first determine if you meet minimum eligibility requirements. In particular, all candidates for Norman police jobs must:
- Be a legal resident of the U.S.
- Be between the ages of 21 and 45
- Have an honorable discharge from the military (if applicable)
- Have no felony convictions
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Possess at least 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university (Candidates may have up to 30 hours of this requirement waived by the Department if they have 3 years of active duty service or 2 years of law enforcement experience.)
Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment
The Norman Police Department has current information on its Recruitment page regarding open application periods. During open application periods, you can download the Employment Application bundle and print, complete and return it to the Human Resources Department by the date indicated on the bundle. In addition, you will be required to include certified copies of your high school/college transcripts, birth certificate, and Form DD-214 (if applicable) with your completed application.
If the Department has not announced the next open employment period, you may complete the Contact Form, and you will be notified when the next open employment period is announced.
Step 3. Take the Physical Ability Test
The first part of the employment process, once the Department has determined you meet minimum employment requirements, is the Norman Police Department Physical Ability Test, which assesses your ability to perform police department-related tasks. This test includes a 1.5-mile run; sit-ups (in one minute); push-ups (in one minute); and a 300-meter run.
Step 4. Take the Written Test
The written test is taken on the same day as the physical ability test and is only available to candidates who have successfully passed the physical ability test.
The written test used by the Department includes both cognitive and an attitude/behavioral sections.
Candidates who are unable to pass either the physical or written test are allowed to retest after six months.
Step 5. Meet with the Screening Board
All eligible candidates are invited to meet with the screening board, at which time they will review your completed Personal History Statement.
Step 6. Undergo a Background Investigation
Select candidates chosen by the Screening Board will undergo a thorough background investigation.
Step 7. Meet with the Hiring Board
Upon the successful completion of the background investigation, all eligible candidates will meet with the Hiring Board, who will then determine who will complete employment testing and attend the Academy.
Step 8. Complete Remaining Employment Test
All chosen candidates must pass all remaining phases of employment testing before attending the police academy. Remaining testing includes a personality assessment, a polygraph examination, and a thorough medical examination.
Step 9. Attend the Norman Police Academy
All new recruits must attend 24 weeks of police academy training at the Norman Police Academy, followed by 15 weeks of field training.
Becoming a Police Officer in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma City Police Department (405-231-2121) serves the citizens of Oklahoma City with a uniformed police force of 1,029 dedicated officers and detectives. Oklahoma City law enforcement professionals are responsible for protecting citizens from criminal activity, keeping the peace, enforcing laws, and apprehending criminals.
Before considering how to become a police officer in Oklahoma City, review this guide to learn the Oklahoma City police officer requirements:
- Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
- Submit an Application for Employment
- Take the Physical Fitness Evaluation
- Take the Academy Aptitude Test
- Complete the Background Investigation Book
- Undergo a Polygraph Examination
- Undergo a Background Investigation
- Meet with the Employment Assessment Board
- Complete Remaining Employment Testing
- Attend the Police Academy
Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
Before submitting an application for employment for Oklahoma City police jobs, you must determine if you meet minimum standards for employment. In particular, to qualify for employment you must:
- Be a United States citizen
- Be at least 21 years old (20 at the age of application and 21at the time of academy class) and younger than 46 years old
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Possess a high school diploma or GED
Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment
You must register and complete the online application to be considered for Oklahoma City police jobs.
You will be contacted once the Department has received your application.
Step 3. Take the Physical Fitness Evaluation
The first step in the employment is the physical fitness evaluation, which includes running and strength assessment events. You may view the current fitness standards to better prepare yourself for the physical fitness evaluation. Candidates who fail the physical fitness evaluation can take the test again after six months.
Step 4. Take the Academy Aptitude Test
Only those candidates who pass the physical fitness evaluation are invited to continue the employment process, which includes taking the academy aptitude test, a timed examination that covers the following areas:
- Basic math
- Cognitive definition and logic measurements
- Reading recall and comprehension
- Visual memory and report writing
- Vocabulary and word usage
You must pass the Academy Aptitude Test with a score of at least 70 percent to continue with the employment testing process. Candidates who fail the Academy Aptitude Test are permitted to take it one more time during a 12-month period.
Step 5. Complete the Background Investigation Book
Candidates who pass the Academy Aptitude Test and are selected to continue with the employment process are required to complete a background investigation book, which requires submitting copies of the following documents:
- Birth certificate
- High school transcripts
- College transcripts (if applicable)
- Military discharge DD-214 (if applicable)
- Marriage license (if applicable)
- Divorce decree (if applicable)
Upon completion you will be scheduled for an appointment with the coordinator who will review your background investigation book with you.
Step 6. Undergo a Polygraph Examination
Select candidates, upon review of their background investigation book, will be scheduled for a polygraph examination with the police department examiner.
Step 7. Undergo a Background Investigation
Upon successful completion of the polygraph examination, you will be notified that a background investigation will begin. A recruiter, upon completion of the background investigation, will schedule a date on which you will meet with the Employment Assessment Board.
Step 8. Meet with the Employment Assessment Board
Upon a successful interview with the Employment Assessment Board, your name will be forwarded to the Chief of Police for review.
Step 9. Complete Remaining Employment Testing
Only select candidates chosen by the Chief of Police will complete employment testing, which includes a medical examination, a personality inventory examination, and a psychological evaluation.
Step 10. Attend the Police Academy
All new recruits must complete Police Academy training, which lasts approximately 28 weeks, followed by approximately 4 months of field training.
Becoming a Police Officer in Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Tulsa Police Department (918-591-4506), the second largest municipal law enforcement agency in Oklahoma, consists of about 800 commissioned officers working throughout three Bureaus: the Administration Bureau, the Investigations Bureau, and the Operations Bureau.
If you’re interested in learning how to become a cop by meeting police officer requirements in Tulsa, review this guide for step-by-step instructions:
- Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
- Submit Background Information Questionnaire
- Take the Physical Ability Assessment
- Take the Written Exam
- Take the Structured Oral Assessment
- Complete Employment Testing
- Attend the Tulsa Police Academy
Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
Before pursuing Tulsa police jobs and submitting an application for employment, it is best to first ensure you meet minimum employment requirements. In other words, to qualify for Tulsa police jobs, you must:
- Be between the ages of 21 and 45
- Be a United States citizen
- Have no felony or crimes of moral turpitude convictions
- Possess a bachelor’s degree with at least a C-plus average from an accredited college or university
- Have at least 20/30 vision (with or without corrective lenses)
- Be able to distinguish red and green
- Have acceptable hearing (a loss of no greater than 40db at 500Hz, 1000Hz, and 2000Hz)
Step 2. Submit Background Information Questionnaire
Before applying for a job with the Tulsa Police Department, it is best to first check the Recruitment page of the Tulsa Police Department’s website. This website is kept up-to-date regarding open application dates.
The application process begins when you complete and submit a background information questionnaire and receive an invitation from the recruiting department to begin testing. You may view upcoming testing dates here.
Step 3. Take the Physical Ability Assessment
The physical ability assessment, which serves as a job simulation test, is the first step in the testing process. The Department has provided a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and a Physical Ability Study Guide to help you prepare to take the physical fitness assessment.
Step 4. Take the Written Exam
Only those candidates who pass the physical ability assessment will be invited to take the written exam, which consists of 240 questions that must be completed within 2 ½ hours. The Department has provided a Written Examination Study Guide to help you prepare to take the exam.
Step 5. Take the Structured Oral Assessment
The structured oral assessment, which is reserved only for candidates who pass the written exam, consists of questions that are designed to assess the skills and abilities necessary to perform the job of a Tulsa police officer. Your answers from the structured oral assessment will be scored by a panel of assessors. The Department has provided an Oral Assessment Study Guide to help you prepare for the assessment.
Step 6. Complete Employment Testing
Select candidates will complete employment testing and attend the Tulsa Police Academy.
Step 7. Attend the Tulsa Police Academy
The Tulsa Police Department Apprentice Police Officer Academy, which is located in Tulsa on 6066 East 66th Street North, lasts approximately 25 weeks.