EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION AT THE DUNCAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Duncan Police Department is an equal opportunity employer. The Duncan Police Department has four divisions: Headquarters, Uniform, Criminal Investigation, and Service. Specialized sections of these divisions include lake patrol, bicycle patrol, and D.A.R.E. Generally, all new officers are assigned to uniform patrol duties for the first three years of their employment. After that, requests to transfer to other duties will be considered as vacancies are identified for those who qualify. To become a Duncan Police Officer, an applicant must follow and meet the requirements outlined below.
MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a United States citizen
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Applicants having prior military experience must have an honorable discharge or an uncharacterized discharge which allows for re-enlistment into the military service (Note: Prior military experience is not a requirement.)
- Must possess an unrestricted Oklahoma driver's license (except for corrective lenses) or a comparable driver's license from another state of the United States
- Must agree to abide by the City of Duncan's personnel rules, Administrative Directives, and the Duncan Police Department Policy and Procedures Manual
- Must not be the subject of or under any criminal investigation (civilian or military) during the application process for conduct which could possibly result in:
- Probation or parole
- Fines
- Jail Time
- Prison Time
- Must have no felony convictions
- Must have no misdemeanor convictions within the last 3 years
- Must not have more than 2 misdemeanor convictions within the last 10 years or since your 18th birthday
- Must not be living with anyone who:
- Has been convicted of 2 or more felonies
- Has been convicted of a felony within the last 5 years
- Has been convicted of more than 2 misdemeanors within the last 2 years
- Is currently a fugitive from justice (Note: A fugitive from justice is defined as any person who has committed any felony or misdemeanor for which they are subject to arrest and prosecution at the time of application.)
- Must not be on probation for any crime at the time of the application
- Must not admit nor have been convicted of:
- Sexual assault (of any kind)
- Public lewdness
- Indecent exposure
- Must not have been arrested for use or sale of illegal drugs. Applicants who have used illegal drugs may not be automatically excluded from consideration for employment. Determining factors for further consideration is based on frequency of use, last date used, and type of drug used.
- Must not have been arrested for D.U.I., D.W.I., or A.P.C. within the last five (5) years.
- Must not have been convicted of 4 or more traffic violations within the last ten (10) years or since your 18th birthday and must not have any within the last six (6) months.
- Must not have been convicted of driving with a suspended or revoked license within the last five (5) years.
- Must be able to pass an extensive background investigation relating to driving records, criminal records, and financial responsibility records.
- Must not make any false statement concerning a "material fact" in the application process. A "material fact" is any fact concerning the applicant, which, if brought to the attention of the Police Department, would result in the applicant's rejection from the selection process. Grounds for rejection includes falsification of the application by omission or deception in the areas of:
- Employment information
- Criminal activity (misdemeanor and/or felony)
- Theft from employer(s)
- Illegal drug usage
- Driving history
- Military history
- Undesirable conduct in the area of integrity, discipline, commitment, or reliability may cause an applicant to be disqualified.
- Must have a stable employment record. Instability may include the inability to maintain steady employment as well as gross abuse of standards, incompetency, or aberrant behavior during a single employment.
- Must not have a credit history which could result in criminal prosecution (i.e. failure to pay child support) or conduct which appears intended to defraud or harm just creditors.
TESTING
Applicants are required to complete and pass each of the following to enter the police academy:
- Physical Assessment - Maximum bench press, number of situps in 1 minute, number of pushups without stopping, 3 minute step test to determine general physical fitness.
- Written Examination - The examination is based on a GED score given to the applicants who successfully complete the physical ability.
- Oral Interviews - A total of two oral interviews are conducted. The first interview is conducted by a panel of police officers and civilians. The second interview occurs during the final stages of the process and is conducted by the Chief of Police and other ranking members of the Department.
- Extensive Background Investigation - The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, previous employment, traffic and criminal checks, education, financial responsibility, and character references as previously outlined.
- Psychological Examination - The psychological examination includes completion of the MMPI and CPI tests including interpretation by a licensed practitioner trained to evaluate results of both tests.
- Extensive Physical Examination - Physical examinations include a complete medical examination and evaluation.
- Drug Screening - Complete blood testing is performed to check for any illegal substance.
TRAINING
- The Duncan Police Academy includes approximately 324 hours of instruction in a Basic Police Academy conducted by the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement, Education, and Training in Oklahoma City. During this training, recruits receive a salary and are provided meals and lodging. Successful completion of the basic academy is mandatory for continued employment. Training includes showing a proficiency (through written examinations and/or demonstration) in the areas of Oklahoma criminal laws, First Aid/CPR, Firearms, Emergency Driving, human relations, communications, etc.
- Following the Basic Academy, recruits begin a 14 week Field Officer Training Program where they receive on-the-job training from an experienced patrol officer.
SALARY AND COMPENSATION
- WAGES -
- The Duncan Police Department recruits start earning a salary from the first day of employment (including training). Police Officers are paid biweekly. Beginning base pay (not including any other fringe benefits) is
$12.24 per hour for new recruits who are not already CLEET certified. CLEET certified recruits begin at
$12.92 per hour. An additional $.75 per hour is paid for those having an associate's degree, $1.25 per hour for those having a bachelor's degree and an additional $1.80 per hour for those having a master's degree.
- LONGEVITY PAY -
- Employees begin receiving longevity pay after 3 continuous years service with the City.
- ACTING CLASSIFICATION PAY -
- Employees authorized to perform the duties of a position classification one level above their own position classification are paid an additional 10% if the duties are performed more than 24 hours consecutive hours.
- DETECTIVE PAY -
- Employees working in detectives/investigators assignments receive $.60 per hour additional pay.
- MASTER OFFICER PAY -
- Employees may also receive up to 5% proficiency pay and be designated a Master Officer after 3 years of employment with the Duncan Police Department.
- NIGHT WORK PAY DIFFERENTIAL -
- Officers who work between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. receive an additional $.30 per hour. Officers who work between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. receive an additional $.60 per hour for Night Work Pay Differential.
BENEFITS
The benefits that await those who become Duncan Police Officers are:
- Up to 10 days of extra pay for Holidays each year
- 1 day of Paid Vacation each month for employees with 1-5 years of service, 1 1/4 days each month for employees with 6-9 years of service, 1 1/2 days each month for employees with 10-17 days of service, 1 3/4 days each month for employees with 10-24 years of service and 2 days each month for employees with more than 24 years of service.
- 1 day of Paid Sick Leave each month for employees with 1-10 years of service and 2 days each month for employees with more than 10 years service
- 24 hours of Paid Bereavement Leave for loss of family members as identified in the labor agreement
- Up to 20 days Paid Military Leave for members of a military Reserve unit or the National Guard
- Retirement Program with the Oklahoma Police Officer's Pension System which allows officers to retire at 50% after 20 years of service or 75% after 30 years of service (Vested Retirement after 10 years at a reduced rate)
- Time and a half in pay or compensated time off for Overtime
- Paid Employment Health Plan (100% for employees plus partial for family members when employees pay the balance for the family plan)
- After 1 year of employment, officers receive other benefits as negotiated by the F.O.P. Bargaining Team.
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
The City of Duncan provides initial issue of all duty-required:
- Uniforms
- Leather Goods
- Footwear
- Coats
- Hats
- Weapons
- Vehicles
PROMOTIONAL ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Officers become eligible for promotion through time in service/grade, various written and oral examinations, and university/college credit hours.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
- Applications are taken as vacancies occur. Please check the City of Duncan's Personnel Department section for current vacancies. Hiring lists are determined by test scores that are taken over the following months. Once the testing cycle is scheduled, you will be contacted and provided with further instructions.
- A personally challenging and exciting career awaits those who have what it takes to be a Duncan Police Officer.
For more information contact:
- City of Duncan
- Personnel Department
- 720 W. Willow
- Duncan, Oklahoma 73533
- (580) 252-0250
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