Qualifications

Being a police officer is a job that involves a tremendous amount of responsibility and requires uncompromising integrity.

As a Tucson Police Officer you will be protecting life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances - and this involves an element of personal danger. An officer must be able to act without direct supervision, be able to exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies, and accept work assignments of rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

  • High School Diploma/G.E.D./Equivalent  
  • U.S. Citizen
  • At least 21 Years of Age at Academy Graduation
  • No felony convictions
  • Valid & Unrestricted Arizona Driver’s License
  • Good Physical Condition
  • Excellent Character

The Hiring Process

 Get Started

  1. Watch the Police Officer Recruit Information Session
  2. Fill out the Application and Preliminary Applicant Questionnaire (PAQ), submit both be the deadline

What Happens Next

  1. Written exam- You will receive an email inviting you to attend. 
    • Two hour timed exam consisting of 100 questions
    • Practice Test & Preparation Manual Provided to Applicants with test invitation email.
    • You must receive a minimum of 60% to pass and move to the next step in the process.
  2. Extensive Background Investigation
  3. Polygraph
  4. Fingerprinting

  5. Conditional Job offer

    • Those Candidates who receive a conditional offer will need to pass pre-employment Medical and Psychological evaluations.
  6. Final Job Offer

Peace Officer Physical Ability Test (PAT)

AZPOST rules require each graduate to complete the Physical Ability Test (PAT) in 2 minutes 6 seconds without any penalties. Failure to achieve this standard will mean dismissal from the academy. Our most successful candidates are those who have prepared both physically and academically for this demanding type of duty. The 2-month physical workout guide(PDF, 441KB)  will help you become physically prepared to start the academy.

To complete the academy you will be required to pass the Physical Ability Test, Academic tests, and Skills Proficiency.

The PAT course consists of five components:

  • A timed run
  • Jumping low hurdles
  • Climbing up and down stairs
  • Low crawl
  • Jumping a 6 foot simulated ditch
  • Climbing a 4 foot fence
  • Climbing through a window
  • A 165-pound dummy drag

Academics

Recruits will spend a large portion of their time in the classroom learning constitutional law, Arizona law, arrest policies and procedures, investigative procedures and many other topics. Exams will be given every Monday and those who fail to maintain a certain academic level will be removed from the academy.

Applied Skills Proficiency

Recruits will be instructed in several areas and required to demonstrate proficiency in those areas in order to graduate and become certified, these areas include

  • Firearms
  • Driving
  • Defensive Tactics

See the AZ POST website for complete list of qualifications standards and rules at Arizona Peace officer Standards and Training Boards.

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