Police Officer (Lateral)

Salary: $34.23 - $50.57 Hourly
Location : Avondale, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Police
Opening Date: 02/25/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt

Job Description
The City of Avondale is seeking motivated, community-focused individuals for the position of Police Officer (Lateral). Join the City of Avondale Police Department and bring your experience to a growing, community-focused agency.

To be considered a Lateral applicant, you must have successfully completed a certified or accredited police academy in your state and provide proof of current certification. Please review the minimum qualifications below to determine eligibility.
Hiring Process
Employment offers are conditional upon the successful completion and passing of:

• NeoGov Application
• Physical Agility Test (if applicable)
• Arizona POST waiver process (if applicable)
• Comprehensive Background Investigation and Fingerprinting
• Polygraph Examination
• Psychological Evaluation
• Chief's Interview
• AZPOST Medical Exam and Drug Screen

Essential Functions

Enforces Arizona state laws and City ordinances while providing quality customer service to the Avondale community. Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, conducts criminal investigations, promotes public safety through education, prepares reports, testifies in court, and completes required training and administrative duties. Officers may also be assigned to specialized units requiring additional training and expertise.

Additional functions of the position include:

• Patrol designated areas via vehicle or on foot.
• Respond to calls for service; conduct interviews and investigations.
• Gather evidence, write detailed reports, and testify in court as needed.
• Arrest suspects and enforce local, state, and federal laws.
• Engage in community policing and problem-solving initiatives.
• Perform additional duties such as warrant service, traffic enforcement, training, and booking.

To view the full job description and learn more about the responsibilities and qualifications, please click to view the Class Specification here
Minimum Qualifications

• In-State Lateral Applicants:
  • Must be Arizona POST certified and in good standing
  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • High school diploma or GED required
  • Must have a valid Arizona Driver's License at the time of hire
  • No felony convictions
  • The Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT) is waived for in-state lateral officers who are currently active and whose POST certification has not lapsed

• Out-of-State Lateral Applicants:
  • Must have successfully completed a certified or accredited police academy in their state and provide proof of current certification
  • Must have a minimum of one year of active patrol experience
  • Must successfully complete the Arizona POST waiver process, including required written and proficiency examinations:
    • Firearms qualification (day and night shooting, target identification/discrimination)
    • Tactical driving qualification
    • Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT)
  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • High school diploma or GED required
  • Must have a valid Arizona Driver's License at the time of hire
  • No felony convictions

Supplemental Information

Benefits
To learn more about the benefits of joining our team, click

Automatic Disqualifiers
To view the list of automatic disqualifications, click .

Contact Information
Human Resources Department
City of Avondale
(623) 333-2200
The City of Avondale offers a comprehensive benefits package with outstanding health and wellness benefits, financial perks, work-life balance, and more. Explore our Employee Benefit Highlights and Benefits Guide for full details!For additional information, visit our
01

Select from the options below your highest level of completed education.

• Not completed High School
• High school or GED
• Associates or Vocational Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher

02

Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No

03

This position requires U.S. Citizenship for eligibility. Are you a United States Citizen?

• Yes
• No

04

Select the statement that applies to you:

• I am Arizona POST certified and in good standing (certification has not lapsed)
• I am Arizona POST certified but my certification has lapsed
• I am an out-of-state certified officer and can successfully complete the Arizona POST waiver process
• I am not currently certified as a law enforcement officer

05

How many years of patrol experience do you have as a sworn police officer (post-academy)?

• No experience
• 0 - 11 months
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 or more years

06

I certify that I have specified all relevant work experience and uploaded a copy of my certification with my application.

• Yes
• No

07

Have you ever been denied certification as a law enforcement officer, or had your law enforcement certification revoked or suspended by a certifying agency?

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

08

Have you ever received a dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces?

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

09

Is your driver's license currently suspended or revoked?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you have a valid Arizona Driver's License or the ability to obtain one by the time of hire?

• Yes
• No

11

Have you ever been convicted of any crime under a Domestic Violence statute?

• Yes
• No

12

Have you ever been convicted of a felony, or of any offense that would be classified as a felony under Arizona law?

• Yes
• No

13

Have you ever been convicted of, or pled guilty to, any misdemeanor offense-including misdemeanor traffic violations? You must answer 'Yes' regardless of any post-conviction relief, in order to ensure consistency with information obtained during the background investigation process. (Please note: Misdemeanor convictions do not automatically disqualify you from consideration.)

• Yes
• No

14

If yes, please provide details below, including the nature of the offense(s), date(s) of conviction or plea, and sentencing information. If no, please type N/A.
15

Have you used marijuana within the past six months?

• Yes
• No

16

If yes, please specify the date of your last usage. If no, please type N/A.
17

Regarding the following questions about other illegal drug use, please disclose any use of illegal substances (excluding marijuana) that was not for the treatment or relief of a medical condition. Examples include, but are not limited to: cocaine/crack, methamphetamine/speed, heroin, opium, morphine, LSD/acid, peyote, mescaline, hashish, steroids, and illegal use of prescription drugs. Drug use for legitimate medical purposes will be disclosed in the background portion of the selection process.

• I have read and understand this statement.

18

Have you illegally possessed or used any dangerous drugs or narcotics-other than marijuana-for any purpose within the past seven years?

• Yes
• No

19

Have you illegally possessed or used steroids within the past three years?

• Yes
• No

20

Have you illegally possessed or used Adderall within the past three years?

• Yes
• No

21

I understand that any offer of employment is conditional upon successfully completing and passing all required components of the selection process, including the application review, physical agility test (if applicable), Arizona POST waiver process (if applicable), comprehensive background investigation and fingerprinting, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, Chief's interview, and AZPOST medical examination and drug screening.

• Yes
• No

Required Question