Recruitment Process
Pre-register
So you’re interested in becoming a Topeka Police Officer. The first thing you will need to do is
preregister
your information with either the Topeka Police Department or City of Topeka Human
Resources Department. Registering will allow us to notify you of upcoming testing dates for the Police
Officer Physical Ability Test (POPAT) and written Civil Service examination. There are no filing fees!
Click here to register for the next examination or contact Sgt. Chris Heaven at 785-368-9490,
cheaven@topeka.org or Michelle Smith at 785-368-3765,
msmith@topeka.org.
Physical Ability Test/Written Examination
Members of the Police Department administer the Police Officers Physical Abilities Test (POPAT with
oversight by the Civil Service Commission. This test is administered prior to the written test. Both the
POPAT and written exam are required to be given at least once a year, but can be given more often
based on the need to fill vacancies.
This test is designed to test your physical ability to perform the essential job functions of a patrol officer
to include the pursuing and subduing of a fleeing adult male suspect. The test requires you to
complete the following stations:
- A mobility and agility run for a distance of 440 yards. Requires completion of six laps
through a figure-eight mobility course. Requires running up and down a five-step stairway,
sharp turns, adjustment of stride lengths over 18 obstacles, and jumps of short distances
- Pushing and pulling 80 pounds of resistance on a power training machine
- Performing squat thrusts and climbing over a three-foot vault rail
- Lifting and carrying 80 pounds for 50 feet
- Trigger pull of a handgun to test grip strength. Requires pulling the trigger of a standard
issue 9MM semi automatic handgun a total of 12 times with strong and weak hand in 15
seconds.
The written test follows the POPAT and is administered and certified by a designee of the Topeka Civil
Service Commission. Members of the Police Department assist both the Civil Service Commission and
City Personnel in the testing process.
A study guide for the National Police Officer Selection Test is available upon request.
Study guides
must be returned the day of the test. If you don’t return the study guide on that testing date, you will be
assessed a $2.50 charge to cover the cost of the study guide before being allowed to take the written
examination. Payment for the study guide may be submitted by personal check, money order or
cashiers check made payable to the City of Topeka, no cash will be accepted.
Cost to replace a lost
study guide is $2.50.
You will be required to show photo identification to gain admittance into the testing areas. You must
maintain photo identification with you throughout the testing process in the event a question of
eligibility should arise. Failure to supply some form of formalized identification card, with photograph,
such as a Drivers License or State Identification Card will result in the elimination from employment
consideration.
If you have previously tested for the position of police officer with the Topeka Police Department within
the last two years, you will be required to pay a $13.50 fee to be eligible to take the written set of
examinations. The payment of the $13.50 fee will be accepted the day of the test only and payment
must be submitted by personal check, money order, or cashier’s check made payable to City of
Topeka. No cash will be accepted!!!
If you have passed the POPAT within the last four months, you will only need to take the written
examination.
Application Evaluation
After successfully completing the POPAT and written tests, you will be given a Personal History Form
(formal application) and required to complete and return the form in a specified period of time. Failure
to supply the information requested results in an automatic disqualification. Additionally, you are
required to supply a certificate of high school graduation, high school and college transcripts, a copy of
your social security card, Military DoD 214, and a copy of your driver’s license.
The Personal History Form and all requested documents are examined and evaluated against a list of
automatic disqualifiers established by the Civil Service Board. Basic areas of automatic disqualifiers
are drug usage and/or convictions, misdemeanor criminal convictions occurring within five years prior
to applicant for employment and any felony convictions. Any finding of an automatic disqualifier
eliminates you from further consideration.
Initial Interview
Once you pass all the above, and have no automatic disqualifiers, you will be placed on the eligibility
list based on their test score. Civil Service commission rules require we interview three applicants for
every vacancy. Example: If five vacancies currently exist, we interview 15 applicants starting with the
highest test score and moving down the eligibility list. The initial interview is with a member of Internal
Affairs to go over your application, inform you about the Topeka Police Department and our hiring
process and to assess if you possess the qualities most sought after in police officer applicants.
Background
An extensive background investigation is undertaken which consists of personal contacts and phone
contacts with listed references, school teachers, administrators, employers, co-workers, neighbors,
unlisted references that can be located, spouse, ex-spouses and friends. Additionally, your current
financial institution is checked, past credit history is examined and criminal history checks are made.
You must have no felony convictions or any misdemeanor conviction which would indicate moral or
ethical weakness. You must be legally qualified to possess a firearm. You must not have a history of
criminal or improper conduct, or a poor employment, military, or driving record which would affect your
suitability for law enforcement work. You must also have a responsible financial history and a pattern
of respect and honesty in your dealings with individuals and organizations. Your background must
reflect a history of positive life choices. Attendance records of previous employers and/or school
attendance must not be indicative of attendance problems. A valid Kansas driver's license is required
prior to appointment.
Majors’ Interview Board
If you successfully pass the above processes, you will be scheduled for a personal interview with
Command Staff. You will be evaluated on character traits and abilities in the areas of decision-making,
judgments under pressure, ability to communicate, demeanor, integrity and credibility. Standard sets of
questions will be asked to all applicants and you will be scored based on your answers. An opportunity
is provided for you to present your strong points and verbalize why you would be an asset to the
Topeka Police Department. Following the completion of all interviews, the Command Staff evaluates
all the applicants and then places each candidate in a preferential hiring order, which is then sent to
the Chief of Police as a recommendation.
Civil Service Board Interview
If you are selected by the Chief of Police, you will be scheduled to appear before a civilian review
board appointed by the Mayor to answer specific questions and scenarios. On completion of the oral
interview, the Civil Service Board will vote to certify or not certify you for employment. If you are
certified, you will be given a conditional job offer and proceed to the next step of the process.
Polygraph
You are now required to undergo a pre-employment polygraph examination. A qualified polygraph
examiner employed by the Topeka Police Department administers the test.
The polygraph examination
is designed to show you as being “truthful.” All of the questions posed during the examination are
discussed with you prior to the actual testing.
Medical/Psychological Testing
If you successfully complete the polygraph exam, you are required to undergo an extensive medical
examination to ensure your physical condition and ability to perform the duties and functions required
of being a police officer. During this exam, a mandatory drug screen is administered.
If you are determined to be “not qualified,” you will be removed from the employment process and
advised.
You are required to undergo a psychological evaluation.This consists of the following exams: Hilson
Life Adjustment Profile (HLAP) measures emotional adjustment; Hilson Personnel/Success Quotient
(HPP/SQ) identifies emotional adjustment and impulse control and Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI)
measures for high-risk occupations.
These tests are scored, rated and used in conjunction with a psychological evaluation to evaluate your
mental and emotional ability to perform police work. If necessary, an interview may be conducted by
the City’s designated mental health professional.
Following successful completion of all procedures an applicant will then be placed on an eligibility list.
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