Description
Great policing starts with a great team. At the Pella Police Department, you’ll work alongside professionals who hold high standards, support your work, and take pride in protecting our community. We serve a community that expects excellence—because wearing the badge here means living the mission every day. If you’re driven by service, integrity, and real community impact, we want you on our team. The Pella (IA) Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. The starting annual salary for the Police Officer position is $64,563.20 ($31.04 per hour). We encourage you to apply if you are interested in working in a great community and with an agency that supports both personal and professional development, growth, and wellness. Qualified certified lateral officers within Iowa may be eligible to receive an $8,000 sign-on bonus. Out-of-state certified officers may qualify for a $6,000 sign-on bonus.
Requirements
We’re looking for professionals who can think critically and act decisively while analyzing rapidly evolving situations, de-escalating conflict, and applying the law with fairness, respect, and sound judgment. Officers perform a full spectrum of modern law enforcement duties, including preventive patrol, criminal and traffic investigations, crash investigations, and have the opportunity to thrive in specialty positions, including criminal detective, narcotics investigator, mental health crisis intervention officer, tactical team member, or school resource officer. Success in this role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build trust across the community while upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability. If you’re motivated by meaningful service, teamwork, and continuous professional growth, you’ll find a place to thrive here.
The Pella Police Department employs 19 full-time officers and 9 civilian employees who work together to provide public safety services to Pella's residents.
Successful candidates must meet minimum hiring standards for law enforcement officers as defined in Iowa Administrative Code 501 Chapter 2 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/01-12-2022.501.2.pdf. Applicants who have attained an associate degree from an accredited college or university, 64 college credit hours, or a combination of college and applicable training and experience are preferred. The target dates for the written examination (POST Exam), physical fitness testing, and interviews will be mid- to late May 2026.
Applications must be received by Friday, April 24, 2026, at 4:59 P.M.
