Employment Process

Lateral Applicant Process

Lateral Officer incentive of $10,000

Competitive Pay Plan

Credit for peace officer certified time

$10,000 first time home-buyer incentive

Tuition Reimbursement

In-State Lateral

In-State Lateral will need to complete Steps 2 through 9.

Out of State Lateral

Out of State Lateral will need to complete Steps 2 through 9.

  • Complete a waiver through AZPOST in order to review training's and determine if it is comparable to AZPOST Standards.
  • Post recommends at least two months worth of study time, prior to taking the AZPOST Waiver test.
  • 2.A three part proficiency test consisting of
    • Firearms qualification (day, night, target identification/discrimination)
    • Tactical Driving Qualification
    • The Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT) which contains five events (All events are timed and scored in a pass/fail mode)including:
      • 500 yard run
      • Scaling a 6 foot chain link fence followed by a 25 yard sprint, a 6 foot solid wood fence followed by a 25 yard sprint
      • A 99 yard obstacle course
      • A 165 pound "dummy" drag

FPD Police Recruitment Process

Recruit Officer Hiring Incentive $5,000

$10,000 Housing incentive
Competitive compensation step plan

Flagstaff Police Recruitment - Employment Process

Step 1: The Written Exam
  • Please register with the National Testing Network (various locations are offered for testing).
  • Law Enforcement Jobs
  • Those who successfully pass the written exam will be invited to attend a scheduled physical assessment exam. Dates/times will be given to the candidate after the written exam.  You must score above a 64 or better for the video, 70 or better for writing and reading portions.
  • Lateral applicants will not need to complete the written exam.
Step 2:  Submit Applications to the City of Flagstaff 
  • Online Application
  • Please make sure both the City application and FPD background packet are completed in its entirety. 
Step 3: The Physical Assessment Exam
  • The physical assessment exam consists of: 
  • Timed Push-ups - 19 or more within one minute.
  • Timed Sit-ups - 29 or more within one minute.
  • Agility Run - to be completed within 21 seconds.
  • 1.5 Mile Run - to be completed within 15 minutes or less.
  • Each area is a pass/fail component. If you fail any portion of the physical assessment exam, you will be eliminated from the testing process.
  • ***Candidates who successfully pass the physical assessment exam may be invited to attend a scheduled oral board interview. Oral board interviews will take place following the physical assessment, please bring proper attire for your interview (business dress).  
Step 4: Oral Board Interview
  • Candidates will be asked a variety of questions by a panel.  
  • The background packet will also be used in conjunction with the oral board interview to determine if you will move forward to the next step of the background process.
  • This is the second step in the employment process for lateral applicants.
Step 5: The Background Interview
  • The most qualified applicants will be contacted by a police department background investigator via email, mail and/or telephone to be scheduled for a background interview.
Step 6: Polygraph Examination
  • The most qualified applicants will be given a polygraph examination (lie detector test) administered by a trained, professional examiner. The test will confirm information noted on the applicant's background investigation packet.
Step 7: Psychological Test
  • Applicants will be evaluated by a licensed psychologist.
Step 8: Medical Examination
  • Applicants will undergo a complete medical examination administered by an AZPOST certified physician.
Step 9: Staff Review for Final Offer of Employment
  • All final selections will be made by the Chief of Police.  Upon successful completion of the entire employment process and selection by the Chief, applicants may receive a final offer of employment.