The City of Elyria is looking for applicants interested in the challenge of a career in law enforcement, either as a sworn officer or as a member of one of the support teams required to maintain the department.

The Elyria Police Department is rich in tradition and has a history of providing quality law enforcement service to the community. Our personnel have shown they are committed to make Elyria a safe city for our residents and visitors. This commitment is demonstrated by their dedication, hard work, and proactive policing philosophy, which they use on a daily basis.

Applications for employment can be picked up at the Elyria Police Department, 18 West Avenue or at City Hall, 328 Broad Street.

Positions are available for the following:

Sworn Police Officers, Full Time Only

Corrections Officers, Full and Part Time

Dispatch Personnel, Full and Part Time

Records Personnel, Full and Part Time

If you are interested in a position as a sworn police officer with the Elyria Police Department, please review the following:

MINIMUM CIVIL SERVICE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Upon receiving a passing score in the Civil Service testing process, your name will be placed on a list of eligible candidates. Veteran’s credit of 20% (required by state law), will be granted to those individuals who show proof of an Honorable Discharge pursuant to state law and the Local Rules of the Elyria Civil Service Commission prior to establishment of the Police Officer eligibility list. Additional extra credit is available for individuals who meet certain education and residency requirements. A total of 20% maximum extra credit is allowed.

ADDITIONAL ELYRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS

•  You must be able to pass an extensive background investigation including, but not limited to driving records, criminal records, alcohol and drug use, financial responsibility records, current and former employers, and a CVSA (truth verification) examination.

•  You must pass an extensive psychological and physical examination (after tentative job offer is made).

•  You must not make any false statement concerning a "material fact" in the application and/or background investigation process. A "material fact" is any fact concerning the applicant, which, if brought to the attention of the Police Department, could result in the applicant's rejection from the selection process. Grounds for rejection also include falsification by omission or deception in the areas of:

•  Employment information, present and/or past

•  Criminal activity (misdemeanor and/or felony)

•  Theft from present or past 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.

You must have a stable employment record. Instability may include the inability to maintain steady employment as well as gross abuse of standards, incompetence, or aberrant behavior during a single employment.

You must not have a credit history that could result in criminal charges (Non-support, etc.) or shows conduct which appears intended to defraud or harm just creditors.

TESTING AND EVALUATION PROCESS

All applicants are required to complete and pass each of the following to be placed on an eligibility list:

Written Examination - The written portion of the exam is designed to test the candidates ability in the following areas: observation and memory, ability to learn police material, police interest questionnaire, verbal and reading comprehension, situational judgment and problem solving.

Physical Agility Examination - This is a timed event in which the applicant demonstrates the ability to listen and follow directions to successfully complete a series of physical skills tests.

Oral Boards - Each oral board consists of a police officer, a City official, and a member of the community. The board members are trained as assessors and ask each applicant a series of questions that help demonstrate the applicant’s verbal communication skills and their poise and confidence in an unrehearsed response in a moderately stressful environment.

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.

C.V.S.A. Examination - A computer voice stress analyzer is administered to the candidate in conjunction with the background investigation.

Drug Screening - Complete blood testing is performed to check for any illegal substance.

After being made a tentative job offer,

candidates must successfully pass the following:

Psychological Examination - The psychological examination includes oral interviews and the completion of MMPI and CPI tests by the certified practitioner specified by the City. Additional testing may be required.

Physical Examination - Physical examinations include a complete medical examination and evaluation by the certified physician specified by the City.

TRAINING

New police officers not certified by the State of Ohio will attend approximately 550 hours of instruction at a Basic Police Academy. Training includes showing proficiency (through written examinations and/or demonstration) in the areas of Ohio criminal laws, first aid/CPR, firearms, emergency driving, human relations, communications, etc., as determined by the academy. Successful completion of the basic police academy is mandatory for continued employment.

Following the Basic Academy, additional training is conducted at the Elyria Police Department. Upon completion of both training phases, Probationary Officers begin the approximately 14 weeks long Field Officer Training Program where they receive on-the-job training from and are evaluated by experienced patrol officers.

Base wages for Elyria Police patrolmen are as follows:

Class C Patrolman (1^st year in service) $16.36 hourly $34,023.90 annually

Class B Patrolman (2^nd year in service) $18.46 hourly $38,394.93 annually

Class A Patrolman (3 + years of service) $20.16 hourly $41,924.64 annually

Longevity Pay

After one year in service, officers are paid longevity pay of 1% of their base pay for each year of service up to a maximum of 20%.

The benefits that await those who become Elyria Police Officers are:

2 weeks annual vacation leave with full pay after one year of service, 3 weeks after 7 years, 4 weeks after 13 years, 5 weeks after 20 years, and 6 weeks after 25 years.

119.6 hours of sick leave earned per year with unlimited accumulation. Upon separation from service, after 10 continuous years of service, an employee shall be paid one-third of the value of up to 120 days (960 hours) of their accumulated, but unused sick leave (maximum of 320 hours) at the employee’s base rate of pay.

Each officer is entitled to 10 days of holiday time per year that are used as additional vacation time, 3 personal days, 1 day off for the employee’s birthday, and 1 day off for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The police officer’s retirement program is administered through the Ohio Police and Fireman’s Disability and Pension Fund. Police officers are excluded from the Social Security System.

The City of Elyria provides health insurance that includes medical, dental and prescription services. The plan pays $270.00 monthly for a single employee or $430.00 monthly for a family rate. The City and the employee then split 50/50 any rate over those limits.

The City provides the equivalent of one year’s base pay, up to a $50,000.00 maximum, life insurance policy.

$ 625.00 per year paid annually for uniform maintenance and replacement.

The college incentive program pays sworn officers $1.00 per credit hour per month for course work in the criminal justice field. The program allows up to 96 credit hours for an Associates Degree ($1,1152.00 annually) and will allow 121 hours for a Bachelor’s Degree ($1,452.00 annually).

The City program also allows reimbursement of the cost of tuition and books for employees who wish to further their education. Tuition reimbursement allows up to $89.32 per quarter hour or $133.98 per semester hour in approved field of study.

Overtime and/or compensatory time at a minimum rate of one and one-half is paid to employees who work in excess of their regular working day (8 hours). The rate of overtime pay is determined by collective bargaining contract.

New employees are eligible to participate in the Support Car Program after two years in service with the department. While there are no residency requirements for employment with the Elyria Police Department, a new employee’s participation is contingent upon the officer living within the city limits of Elyria.

Military Reserve and National Guard paid leave benefits are available pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code and Collective Bargaining Agreements.

The City of Elyria provides the initial issuance of all duty-required uniforms and equipment.

Officers become eligible for promotion through time in grade/service. Officers then take promotional examinations. Promotional examinations include both a written test and an oral assessment board.

THE CITY OF ELYRIA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER