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Entry Level / Lateral Transfer - Police
To qualify for a position, you must meet the minimum requirements of the position and successfully complete all of the phases of the selection process. Becoming a member of the law enforcement profession can take several months depending on how responsive the applicant is during the process. If you're new to this profession (uncertified), you will start at Police Officer I pay grade.
*Application, Testing & Background: Applicants must complete a series of tests, evaluations, interviews, and a thorough background during this phase of the hiring process (see testing and selection process tab for detailed information).
*The Academy: Hired recruits will be sworn in and sent to the next scheduled Arkansas Law Enforcement Academy for 13 weeks to learn the basic skills of a police officer.
*Field Training Program: Upon successful completion of the academy, new officers will continue an additional 12 to 16 weeks of training and testing under the watch of a Field Training Officer.
*Probation: Once a trainee has successfully completed the Field Training Program, they will serve our community as a patrol officer under a probationary period for 1 year, at which point they will move to the Police Officer II pay grade.
If you already have started your career in law enforcement and hold a valid law enforcement certificate as defined by the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST), we welcome you to continue your career with our department.
Lateral transfers start at Police Officer II pay grade and can quickly promote to the rank/pay grade of Corporal depending on the years of certified experience.
*Application, Testing & Background: Applicants must complete a series of tests, evaluations, interviews, and a thorough background during this phase of the hiring process.
*Out of State - Lateral Transfer: Hired officers will be sworn in and will need to complete a 120 hour course as set forth by CLEST standards if coming from out of state. For those in state, officers will immediately begin the Field Training Program.
*Field Training Program: Lateral transfer officers may complete an abbreviated Field Training Program depending on their level of experience.
*Probation: Once the officer has successfully completed the Field Training Program, they will serve our community as a patrol officer under a probationary period for 1 year.
The Bentonville Police Department recognizes lateral transfers years of "certified" experience. After 5 years of service with the Bentonville Police Department, officers are eligible for the rank/pay grade of Corporal. Lateral transfers are eligible to move to Corporal after completing their probationary year if they have a total of 5 years of service. If not, once an lateral transfer completes their 5th year of law enforcement or combination of prior years of service at another agency, he or she would be eligible for the rank of Corporal.