Police and Corrections Recruit

Below is an overview of the five (5) employment stages for Police/Corrections Recruits:

Stage One: Recruiting locally and out-of-state, along with previewing career options with applicants for employment.

Stage Two: Evaluating each applicant's qualifications and suitability for employment through the selection process.

Stage Three: Investigating each candidate's character, history, and overall suitability to ensure they meet the LVMPD's hiring standards.

Stage Four: Reviewing each candidate's entire package, selecting the most qualified, and preparing each for employment.

Stage Five: Successful completion of the Police Officers Standards & Training (POST) Physical Fitness Test prior to the start of the Academy.

Stage One: Recruitment and Career Preview

With the assistance of the community, the LVMPD encourages applicants to prepare for a career in law enforcement. Recruiters hold symposiums, visit special interest groups, conduct employment seminars, conduct fitness preparation sessions, and meet one-on-one with potential applicants. Men and women interested in law enforcement are encouraged to contact a Recruiter at recruitment@lvmpd.com or 702-828-5787 to discuss career options and answer questions you may have.

Stage Two: Selection Process

It is imperative that candidates are on time for all stages of the selection process; otherwise, they may be disqualified. The LVMPD Late Policy is strictly enforced. (See our FAQs page for more details on this and other policies.) Candidates are asked to arrive for their appointments a minimum of thirty minutes early. Truthfulness and timeliness are imperative for all stages of the selection process. For those candidates living out-of-state, the STAGE TWO selection process will be completed in as few visits to the Las Vegas area as possible.

The selection process consists of (the order may vary):

• Application Screening (pass/fail)
• Written Exam (weighted) 
• Physical Fitness Exam (pass/fail)
• Minimum Qualification Screening (pass/fail)

Candidates must successfully complete each of the above before continuing to the next step. Please note that the above selection process order may change depending on testing facility availability.

Application Screening

Submitted applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not each applicant meets the minimum qualifications. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of their status. Those who qualify to continue in the selection process will be given information on the next step via email.

Written Exam

The Written Exam measures areas which have been determined to be important for success as a Recruit and Officer. The specific areas measured on the Written Exam will be included in the job posting for that position. The Exam is weighted as a percentage of the candidate's overall test score and helps determine a candidate's overall ranking for the position.

Physical Fitness Exam

Click here to view the Fitness Standards and Descriptions for Police and Corrections Recruit. It is a pass/fail Exam. Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a second fitness test prior to going into an Academy (see below), and to maintain and exceed those standards once in the Academy.

Eligibility List and Civil Service Board Approval

Those candidates who successfully complete each of the above-listed exams are rank ordered by test scores on the weighted exams and placed on an eligibility list to be approved by the Civil Service Board.

Stage Three: Background Investigation

Once the Civil Service eligibility list has been established, the Backgrounds Section detectives begin the comprehensive background process and notify the top candidates that they are potential candidates for employment. Each top candidate receives a conditional offer of employment. Candidates are expected to provide truthful, comprehensive, and consistent information throughout the investigative process.

A thorough background investigation is completed on each candidate to ensure the candidate meets the LVMPD's strict hiring standards.

The Stage Three background process includes:

• Interview and Investigation
• Written Psychological Evaluation
• Oral Psychological Interview
• Polygraph Examination
• Medical Exam and Drug Test

Interview

Each candidate is assigned to a Backgrounds Section Detective. Their function is to review each candidate's Personal History Statement (PHS) that candidates are given access to complete an online in-depth life history information. The detective reviews the information about the candidate, conducts site inspections, and coordinates decisions with the psychologist and polygraph examiner. Candidates who arrive at their interview without the requested documentation or complete packets as requested by their respective detective are subject to disqualification from the employment process. Any discrepancies between documents will be closely scrutinized. The interview lasts approximately 2-3 hours and business attire is highly recommended.

Written and Oral Psychological Evaluation

The LVMPD has contracted psychological services to ensure the candidate is prepared to meet the conditions often faced by police and correction officers. The candidate must demonstrate a level of maturity and stability that will allow him/her to be successful and safe on the job. Each candidate completes an extensive Written Psychological Evaluation that is administered by the contracted psychological service provider. It consists of 1,170 questions and takes approximately 4-6 hours to complete. The candidate also meets face-to-face with the contracted psychological service provider for an Oral Interview/Psychological Evaluation.

Polygraph Examination

Qualified polygraph examiners evaluate each candidate's information to ensure it is truthful. Once again, candidates are expected to provide truthful and consistent information. Failure to do so will disqualify the candidate from the hiring process.

Medical Exam and Drug Test

The LVMPD has contracted for medical examination and drug testing services. Each candidate completes the Medical Exam and must pass the Drug Test before beginning employment. Medical Exams are given to ensure a candidate is able to perform the essential functions of the position. As an equal opportunity employer, the LVMPD is committed to the laws and regulations governing employment, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. Candidates will not be eliminated based on the Medical Exam unless they cannot perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. For those candidates living out-of-state, the Background Investigation will be completed in a single visit to the Las Vegas area, except for the Medical Exam and Drug Test which are done closer to hiring.

Stage Four: Final Review and Employment

Selection Committee Meeting

The Selection Committee consists of the various Department members, such as the Patrol Division Commander (for police recruits), the Detention Services Division Commander (for corrections recruits), the Internal Affairs Bureau Commander and the Professional Standards Division Commander. During the meeting, the candidate's life history, polygraph, and psychological evaluation are presented and reviewed by the Committee. Once selected for hire, the Personnel Management Team (PMT) will contact each candidate to complete necessary paperwork, and schedule them for the below POST Physical Fitness Exam and Medical Exam/Drug Test.

Stage Five: Pre-Academy Physical Fitness Testing

According to Nevada Administrative Code 289.300, Police and Corrections Recruits are required to pass the POST Physical Fitness Exam within 30 days prior to the Academy starting or within 14 days after the start of the Academy. Candidates are given a conditional offer of employment which states the offer of employment is contingent upon the candidate passing a Medical Exam/Drug Test and the POST Physical Fitness Exam. This will serve as notice that you will be required to pass the POST Fitness Test the day before your in-processing, which will be scheduled approximately 14 days prior to the start of the Academy, or the job offer will be rescinded.