Careers

Learn more about our department below.

The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) is a nationally accredited and consolidated law enforcement agency that has set the standard of excellence for police training and performance. No other job can offer you the opportunity for growth, enrichment, and a range of experience like the Riley County Police Department.

Our agency is one of the most highly regarded law enforcement agencies in the state. RCPD is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. We offer exceptional careers in many areas of law enforcement for men and women from all backgrounds who are seeking professional growth and personal satisfaction in policing, corrections (jail), dispatching, and more.

RCPD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

JOINING OUR TEAM

How to Join RCPD

If you're looking for a rewarding career where you can serve our community, the Riley County Police Department is the place for you.

To apply, click here to go to our career center. In the career center, you will find current openings. We are always accepting applications. If you would like to submit an application prior to a position being open, please fill out the "general application" through the link above and state what position you are interested in. Once a position opens, your application will be included and you will be personally notified.

If you would like to speak with a recruiter to learn more about RCPD before applying, please fill out this form and a recruiter will contact you.

RCPD Career Center Website

Pay Schedule

Employees are paid monthly on the final day of the month. Below are the starting rates for each position.

Police Officer	$4,227.04/month
Corrections Officer	$3,499.94/month
Dispatch I	$3,297.32/month
Dispatch II	$3,674.94/month

Eligible non-sworn employees may also receive:

Training Officer Pay: $75/month
Shift Differential Pay: $52
Education Pay for a Bachelor’s Degree or higher: $200/month
Longevity Pay after 5 completed years of service: $40-$200/month

Eligible sworn employees may also receive:

Education Pay for a Bachelor’s Degree or higher: $200/month
Clothing Allowance: $35-$100/month
Hazard Pay:$75/month
PTO Pay:$75/month
Shift Differential Pay: $52
On-call Pay

You can learn more about budget and finance here.

Position Descriptions

Due to normal attrition, the Riley County Police Department recruits the following positions on a regular basis. To obtain more information about the minimum requirements, typical duties, essential functions, skills, knowledge, and physical demands for these positions, please refer to the job descriptions listed below:

Job Description - Police Officer
Job Description - Dispatcher
Job Description - Correction Officer
Job Description - Police Service Aide

RCPD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As other positions within the Department become open, relevant job descriptions will be posted. If you have questions please contact:

Nicole Douthit, Human Resources Specialist

(785) 537-2112 x2348

ndouthit@rileycountypolice.org

Volunteer Opportunities: VIPS

The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) is looking to recruit volunteers to supplement our workforce and improve overall efficiency of the Department. RCPD Volunteers in Police Service (V.I.P.S) will perform administrative/clerical, maintenance, janitorial, language interpretation, and photography/videographer services, and other duties as the need arises. The V.I.P.S Program focuses on administrative support for the Department.

Qualification

Graduate of RCPD Citizens' Police Academy
21 years of age or older
Legal resident of the United States
Possess diploma, General Educational Development Test (GED), or experience equivalent
Volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month
Physically and mentally able to perform required duties
Willingness to participate in training and skill enhancements as needed

Application

Applications can be picked up at the Riley County Police Department or click the link at the top of this page to complete a electronic PDF application. Electronic applications can be emailed to contact personnel listed below.

VIPS Application (PDF)

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BENEFITS

Employment Benefits

A career at the Riley County Police Department is beneficial in many ways. You earn a sense of pride serving our community while also earning financial, health, and other benefits. We pay our employees a competitive salary and pride ourselves on providing benefits that work for our employees. Click here for detailed benefit information.

Career Development

There are many ways to make a difference at the Riley County Police Department. It's important to us that you grow professionally. That is why we provide many ways for you to grow here with us. Join our team and find your niche today. Click here to explore career development opportunities at the Riley County Police Department.

Lateral Officers

Prior experience and certified training may be an added benefit when joining the Riley County Police Department. We accept lateral officers and recognize peace officer training completed in the state of Kansas. For officers certified in another state, reciprocity training is required through the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. The Director may authorize successful candidates with verifiable applicable prior experience be hired at a higher rate of pay than entry-level candidates.

The Riley County Police Department reserves the right to review credentials and make individual decisions on how the department will recognize them.

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HIRING PROCESS

Police Basic Training

Riley County Police Department Officers must attend the Kansas Peace Officer basic training from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC).

KLETC is located twelve miles southeast of Hutchinson near Yoder, Kansas.

Students attending KLETC must reside in the student dormitory unless authorized to commute by the KLETC Associate Director. The training classes typically take 3-4 months.

University of Kansas - Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center

Typing Test

The first step in the hiring process is to complete an application. However, for most positions at the Riley County Police Department, there is also a timed typing test requirement as well. This is a test that you complete, online prior to the application deadline.

Typing tests are due by the application deadline. After you apply, a link will be emailed to applicants automatically. Please complete the typing test through that link and take a screenshot of your passing typing test score and attach the results to your application in ADP or email them to: ndouthit@rileycountypolice.org , PRIOR to the application and typing test deadline.

Typing Requirements:

The following positions, among others, require a timed typing test:

Dispatcher - 40 wpm, net

Police Officer - 16 wpm, net

Police Service Aide - 16 wpm, net

Corrections Officer - 16 wpm, net

Court Security Screener - 16 wpm, net

Relocation Information

Employees must live within Riley County or within a 30-mile radius of the Riley County Police Department. Our jurisdiction is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. This bike-friendly community is a great place to enjoy the Konza Prairie, Kansas State University Athletic Events, and the outdoors. The following sites offer helpful information to assist you in making the move to our area.

Out of State Applicants

For out-of-state applicants that wish to go through any of our hiring processes:

Testing/Boards

We will try to schedule any pre-employment physical agility testing and/or written exam, for out-of-state applicants, on or around the dates of the Oral Boards, so that you may complete as many steps as possible in one visit. This will need to be coordinated directly with our HR Technician.

Each step in the hiring process must be successfully completed in order to continue forward to the next step. Upon receipt of your application and at the start of any new process for which you have applied, you will be notified of the timeline for the hiring process.

Application Timeline

Every hiring process is unique; however, for most sworn positions, it follows the steps below. Dates and deadlines will be posted for each hiring process to give potential applicants

Hiring process opens for applications
Submit an application and typing test
Culture Index survey
Written exam
Oral board interviews
Pre-employment medical
Physical abilities test (RCAT)
Background investigation/ CVSA exam
Division Commander interview
Psychological evaluation
Job-related medical screening
Tentative Hire Date

For Dispatch positions, most processes follow the steps below:
1. Hiring process opens for applications
2. Submit an application and typing test
3. Culture Index Survey
4. Written Exam
5. Oral Board Exercise/Interview
6. Background Investigation/ CVSA
7. Division Commander Interview
8. Psychological Evaluation
9. Job-related medical screening
10. Tentative Hire Date

*Previous Applicants

If you advanced to the Oral Board stage of a Hiring Process and were not chosen to move forward, you must wait 6 months before reapplying for that same position.

If you have any questions please contact Nicole Douthit DL: 785-473-2348 or ndouthit@rileycountypolice.org

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APPEARANCE AND STANDARDS

Facial Hair

In early 2020, the Riley County Police Department changed its grooming policy to allow for well-kept facial hair for all employees, sworn and non-sworn. Facial hair must be neatly trimmed and abide by guidelines set in policy.

Police Officer A. Peterson Standing Next to a Police Vehicle

Tattoos

Employees are allowed to show acceptable tattoos while at work. Tattoos, body art, or brandings deemed acceptable may be worn uncovered or visible upon the arms and legs of the employee’s body while such employee is on duty.

Police Officer Standing by the Riley County Law Enforcement Center Sign

Employee Answering the Phone

Uniforms

In early 2021 the Riley County Police Department transitioned sworn officers to navy blue uniforms. The new uniforms are made of a more durable material with multi-seasonal technology to accommodate long patrol hours in both the hot summer and brisk winter.

Our officers are out in the community every day rain or shine. Proper uniforms ensure we help to protect them from the elements while they are protecting the people we serve. The navy uniforms are made of material that will perform better, and show less dirt, grime, wear and tear.

Sworn Officer Wearing a Navy Blue Uniform

Corrections Officers wear a standard-issue light brown blouse and dark brown pants. Corrections Officers may choose to wear a short or long sleeve (polyester) shirt or the short or long sleeve (cotton, BDU style) shirt at their discretion.

Correction Officer Wearing a Light Brown Blouse

Dispatchers do not have a set uniform but instead follow a business casual dress code. Civilian department members maintain an appearance which is appropriate and functional for their specific job tasks.

Dispatcher Wearing Business Casual

Physical Fitness Requirements

The Riley County Police Department Physical Abilities Test (RCAT) is a hybrid physical ability/ job task analysis course designed to evaluate police officer and correction officer personnel and candidates on the essential physical capacities required to successfully perform their duties.

The RCAT was designed to replicate critical and essential physical tasks and demands faced by Riley County Law Enforcement Officers and Corrections Officers in the performance of their duties. Both specific tasks and overall physical demands are replicated through the use of a carefully designed, timed, and validated obstacle course.