Salary: $31.36 - $44.19 Hourly
Location : City of Yuma, AZ
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00117
Department: Police
Division: Patrol-12
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Summary The City of Yuma Police Department is seeking motivated individuals to join Team Yuma as Police Officers (Non-Certified). The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, compassion and empathy for others, a high level of integrity, mental agility and the ability to actively listen and navigate difficult situations.
Selected candidates will attend an AZPOST Law Enforcement Academy to obtain an Arizona Police Officer Certification. Upon successful completion of the academy, officers will continue training under the direct guidance of experienced field training officers.
If you have the desire to protect and the passion to serve our community, there is a place on our team for you!
PAY INFORMATION The City of Yuma follows a 10-step pay plan ranging from $31.3601 to $44.19 per hour. Non-certified applicants will start at the entry-level rate of $31.3601 per hour.
SELECTION PROCESS All applications will be screened by Human Resources for the minimum requirements. All applicants will be notified of their status by email. Candidates that meet the minimum requirements will be required to complete a
HIRING PROCESS The following steps must be successfully completed prior to hire. Steps may not occur in the order listed. Applicants will receive email notification prior to each step:
- Written Examination
- Candidates will be invited to complete an online Police Entry Level Exam.
- Candidates may
- Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT)
- Information regarding the POPAT and minimum standards for certification can be found on the website. The Yuma Police Department may utilize agency discretion regarding the AZPOST minimum qualifications.
- Oral Interview
- Background Interview - PHQ required for this step (See link in the Selection Process section).
- Background Investigation
- Polygraph Exam
- Psychological Exam
- Medical/Drug Screening
- Police Academy
Under close supervision, attends an approved Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board basic training academy to obtain Arizona Peace Officer Certification.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: --Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Acquire knowledge of police methods, practices, procedures and techniques, and apply them in accordance with established regulations.
- Learn and perform the responsibilities of an entry-level Arizona peace officer, including interacting with diverse populations; exercising discretion; maintaining public order; preventing crime; enforcing laws and ordinances; conducting investigations; making arrests; and assisting the public.
- Learn job-related material through structured lectures and written material.
- Participates in physical conditioning training and testing and maintains required levels of physical fitness.
- Adheres to AZ POST academy rules and regulations.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the "Yuma Way", and complies with all City policies and procedures.
- Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Be a United States citizen.
- Must be 21 years of age by the academy graduation date.
- Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalency.
- Be in sound medical, physical, and mental health.
- Have at least 20/20 vision uncorrected; or 20/20 vision corrected by glasses or hard contact lenses if uncorrected acuity is 20/80 or better; 20/20 vision corrected by soft contact lenses if uncorrected acuity is 20/200 or better. Vision capable of distinguishing basic color groups against a favorable background.
- Must meet AZ P.O.S.T. and Yuma Police Department drug standards.
- Must have good moral character and personal integrity.
- Must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation including a polygraph.
Knowledge of: - City policies and procedures.
- Safe work practices, occupational hazards and safety precautions.
Skill in: - Maintaining academic and professional standards in accordance with YPD policies
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong problem-solving and critical- thinking skills
- Ability to learn, understand, and apply training materials and instructions.
- Remaining calm and composed in stressful situations.
- De-escalating situations and preventing harm.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in both classroom and field training environments and requires strenuous physical effort. Candidates must meet all physical standards of the AZPOST Academy and demonstrate physical, mental and emotional capability to perform the essential duties of a police officer.
Police officers are expected to be well-groomed, possess high moral standards, work effectively in a team environment, communicate clearly both verbally and in writing, and work a rotating shift schedule.
AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS The City of Yuma Police Department and/or Arizona POST will automatically disqualify any individual who has at any time; be aware that Arizona POST follows federal guidelines for drug usage:
- Been convicted of a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Arizona
- Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces
- Been previously denied certified status, have certified status revoked or have current certified status suspended
- Illegally sold, produced, cultivated, or transported for sale marijuana or dangerous drugs/narcotics
- Used marijuana for any purpose within the past six (6) months
- Illegally used marijuana, dangerous drugs/narcotics while employed or appointed as a peace officer
- Illegally used a dangerous drug or narcotic, other than marijuana, for any purpose within the past seven years
- Ever illegally used a dangerous drug or narcotic other than for experimentation. Experimentation is defined as not exceeding a total of 5 times lifetime or exceeding one time, since attaining the age of 21. This includes, but not limited to, cocaine/crack, heroin, opium, morphine, LSD/acid, methamphetamine/speed, peyote, mescaline, or derivatives thereof
- Have a pattern of abusing prescription medication
- Convicted of or adjudged to have violated traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles with such a frequency so as to indicate disrespect for the traffic laws and disregard for the safety of other persons on the highway within the past three years
- Been previously employed with a law enforcement agency and since has committed or violated federal, state, or city laws pertaining to criminal activity
- Lied during any stage of the hiring process, falsified any information on the application or background questionnaire
- Conviction of domestic violence crime, misdemeanor, or felony or conviction of a lesser charge, which at the time of occurrence was a domestic violence crime
For additional information regarding the Yuma Police Department, please visit
The City of Yuma offers the following benefits:
*PUBLIC SAFETY PENSION - Special retirement system for full- time certified peace officers and full-time fire fighters in the State of Arizona. It is designed to meet the special needs of personnel engaged in hazardous duty situations. Employee contributions will be determined by their membership date and/or the plan selected. Please go to for additional information.
*SHORT TERM DISABILITY
The City provides short-term disability coverage at no cost to the employee. Short-term disability replaces part of your income if you can't work for a short time due to a covered disability.
*SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE - Employees pay a contribution of 7.65% into the Social Security & Medicare System.
*WORKER'S COMP. - Insurance coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to an on-the-job injury is provided by the City of Yuma for all employees.
*UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE - Employees are covered by Unemployment Insurance.
*MEDICAL, DENTAL, and VISION INSURANCE - The City of Yuma is proud to provide medical, dental and vision insurance for its employees which is administered by the Yuma Area Benefit Consortium. Employees may choose from two traditional PPO plans or a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed (unless waived). Additional information regarding medical, dental and vision benefits may be requested from the City's Human Resources Department.
*LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides a life insurance policy for employees in an amount that is equal to your annual salary. An Accidental Death and Dismemberment rider is also included for an equal amount. Employees may elect, at their cost, additional life insurance for up to 5X their annual salary. Various voluntary insurance policies are available at your cost and may be set up as an automatic payroll deduction. Information is available from the City's Human Resources Department.
*FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - The plan establishes a reimbursement account, which is designed to provide you with a means of paying for certain medical, dental, vision, and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. The amount you designate is subtracted from your earnings before taxes and is deposited in your flexible spending account. As a new employee you have 30 days from your hire date to enroll.
*EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - Provides free counseling sessions for employees and family members, as well as a 24-hour crisis line for emergencies.
*COMPENSATORY LEAVE (COMP. TIME) - Paid leave that an employee has elected to accrue in lieu of overtime payment.
*GENERAL LEAVE - This leave is available for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. General Leave is paid leave for an employee's personal time off. General Leave can normally be used 90 days after your hire date. General Leave accrual varies by the employee's years of service and employment status.
- 0 to 5 years = 6.14 hours per pay day or 153.5 hours annually
- 5 to 10 years = 7.74 hours per pay day or 193.5 hours annually
- 10 to 15 years = 8.06 hours per pay day or 201.5 hours annually
- 15 to 20 years = 8.7 hours per pay day or 217.5 hours annually
- 20+ years = 9.34 hours per pay day or 233.5 hours annually
*SICK LEAVE - Employees are eligible to utilize paid sick leave immediately following 90 calendar days from their date of hire. July 1 of each year, employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank. New employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank on their date of hire.
*PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
The City provides up to 4 weeks of paid parental leave to employees following the birth of an employee's child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.
*HOLIDAYS - The City recognizes 12 holidays per year. Holiday pay is at eight hours per holiday.
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
- President's Day (third Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day (First Monday in September)
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day After Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
- Additional Day in conjunction with Christmas
*DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may participate in a tax-sheltered Annuity Plan (457 Plan) through payroll deduction to provide additional retirement income.
*TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
The City provides eligible employees tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate level courses. Eligible full-time employees may receive up to a maximum of $3,500 per calendar year.
*SMOKE-FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT - The City prohibits smoking in, and within a reasonable distance of, all buildings used by the City for the conduct of City business or buildings or facilities used or occupied as workspace by City employees. This includes City owned and operated vehicles. This policy applies to all City employees, volunteers, citizens, and other persons entering or using City owned or operated facilities and/or vehicles.
01
A valid Driver's License IS REQUIRED at the time of hire. Do you possess a valid Driver's License? (Must be verifiable in the 'Personal Information' section of the application)
- Yes, I possess a valid Arizona State Driver's License.
- Yes, I possess a valid Driver's License from a state other than Arizona AND I agree to obtain a valid Arizona Driver's License as required.
- No, I do not have a valid Driver's License and/or I'm unable to obtain one as required.
02
Are you a U.S. Citizen?
03
Do you meet or exceed the minimum education requirement of a U.S. High School Diploma or GED (or certified U.S. equivalent)? Education completed outside of the United States must have a certified U.S. equivalency evaluation (Must be verifiable in the "Education" section of the application).
04
The law enforcement training academy is approximately 20 weeks long.Per the requirements of AZ POST R13-4-105, "an individual may attend an academy if an individual will be 21 years of age before graduating" the academy.Do you meet this requirement?
- Yes, I am 21 years of age or older.
- Yes, I will be 21 years of age upon graduation of the academy.
- No, I am under 20 years of age.
05
Have you used any marijuana products (e.g., THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts, or marijuana edibles) legally or illegally within the last six (6) months? (automatic disqualifier)
06
Have you used any marijuana products (e.g., THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts, or marijuana edibles) legally or illegally within the last year?
07
Please provide details on the number of marijuana usages and approximate dates (mm/dd/yyyy) of usage. If you answered none, enter N/A.
08
Have you ever illegally sold, produced, cultivated, or transported for sale marijuana?
09
Have you illegally used dangerous drugs or narcotics, other than marijuana, in the last 7 years?
10
Have you illegally used dangerous drugs or narcotics, other than marijuana, more than 5 times since the age of 18?
11
Have you illegally used dangerous drugs or narcotics, other than marijuana, more than 1 time since turning 21 years of age?
12
Have you ever illegally sold, produced, cultivated, or transported for sale a dangerous drug or narcotic (this does not include marijuana)?
13
Have you ever had a pattern of abusing prescription medication?
14
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or any offense that would be considered a felony, if committed in Arizona?
15
Have you been dishonorably discharged from any branch of the United States Armed Services?
16
This position requires a polygraph examination and background check. Are you agreeable to these terms?
17
Were you referred by a City Employee?
18
If you were referred by a City employee, please list their FULL name in the space below. Otherwise, please type N/A.
19
I have reviewed the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) and agree, if qualified to continue in the process, I will complete and return it within the time allotted. I understand that failure to do so could result in my name being removed from consideration for a period of one year.
- Yes, I have reviewed the PHQ and agree to the terms.
- No, I do not agree to the terms.
- No, I did not read AND/OR understand. Therefore, I cannot agree to the terms.
- No, I was unable to review the PHQ due to technical difficulties.
Required Question