MOUNTAIN HOME POLICE DEPARTMENT

Qualifications for Law Enforcement Officers

      Citizens interested in a law enforcement career with the police department must meet or exceed standards established by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, the City of Mountain Home, and the Mountain Home Police Department. The standards are utilized to assist hiring the best possible individuals suited for law enforcement. You may visit the website for the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training by clicking on this text.  

      Although a college degree is not currently required for employment, a degree is given careful consideration in addition to all other requirements, especially in the field of Criminal Justice. Current employees are encouraged to attend college with some obtaining their degree after beginning employment with the department.   

 The following is a list of minimum standards for law enforcement officers. 

• Pass a physical fitness/agility test
• Pass a written examination
• International Personnel Management Association provide our tests
• Testing areas are observation and memory, ability to learn police material, police interest questionnaire, verbal and reading comprehension, and situational judgment and problem solving
• Pass a drug screen
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Be fingerprinted, search initiated of state and national fingerprint files
• Be free of a felony record
• Pass a background investigation
• Be a high school graduate
• Pass an physical examination
• Pass an psychological examination
• Posses a valid driver’s license

• Interviewed by the Chief of Police or designee  

      If an applicant is not a state certified law enforcement officer, attendance at the 12-week Basic Police Academy is required.  After graduation from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, the officer shall complete an additional 12 weeks of training in the Field Training Officer’s Program conducted by the Mountain Home Police Department. Applicants certified as a law enforcement officer in other states may receive reciprocating certification in Arkansas at the discretion of the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.  

      If interested in employment, you may complete an application or send a resume. You will be notified when testing is conducted for law enforcement positions.