Lateral Entry Program

The Lateral Entry Program is designed to attract full-time certified peace officers with a comparable law enforcement agency to be hired at a higher rate of pay.

Lateral Entry Program

Program Details:

• Starting pay for lateral entry officers may be commensurate with years of experience the officer accrued while employed by a comparable law enforcement agency. Level of experience will be considered on a case by case basis.

• A lateral entry applicant would need to have at least two (2) years continuous service as a paid, full-time certified peace officer with a comparable law enforcement agency, including out-of-state agencies, or comparable Military Police experience, as approved by the Chief of Police.

• The lateral applicant would need to have been in a position where they had the authority to enforce laws, investigate crimes, make arrests, respond to calls for service, carry a firearm, and use discretion as part of their assigned duties.

• A lateral entry applicant may not have more than one (1) year break in service from the time they left a comparable law enforcement agency, or comparable Military Police service, as of the last date applications are accepted.

• Lateral officers must successfully complete each step in the Civil Service hiring process in the same manner as any other application.

• The probationary period for lateral officers will be twelve (12) months, except that it will be eighteen (18) months if they are required to attend the Basic Police Academy.