​ Police Department | The City of Lakewood, Ohio

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Lakewood Accepting Applications for Lateral Entry Level Police Officer Positions

The City of Lakewood is accepting applications for an entry level Police Officer position. This appointment is being made through a lateral entry process open to candidates who are currently Police Officers or who have been employed as Police Officers in the State of Ohio within the past year.

Qualified candidates must provide proof of current or past appointment through a competitive Civil Service examination process.

To apply, candidates must:

    • Complete an application for employment,
    • Show proof of High School Diploma or GED,
    • Have a valid Ohio Driver’s license with a good driving record (six or more violation points may be disqualifying),
    • Provide proof of OPOTC Certification

To be considered, applicants must:

    • Have current or previous peace officer employment as a result of a civil service examination process,
    • Have no more than a one year break in service from previous employment as a peace officer,
    • Possess adequate physical ability to perform all duties and utilize all issued equipment,
    • Be United States Citizens or must have legally declared their intention of becoming a United States Citizen,
    • Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at time of appointment, and
    • Have the requisite health and requisite mental and physical fitness, ability, and capacity necessary to perform all the established and anticipated tasks and duties.
      • Extensive medical and mental testing including drug testing, as well as an extensive Police background check with polygraph will be conducted.  Candidates must also complete a physical agility examination to be conducted at the Cuyahoga Community College Police Academy or similar examination site after a conditional offer is extended.

Starting salary: $65,682.83 – $76,050.01, based on prior experience, plus benefits, including:

  • Competitive health insurance plan
  • 144 annual holiday hours that be used as time off or pay in addition to vacation
  • Annual $2,400 firearms proficiency/body worn camera bonus
  • Annual $2,000 uniform allowance
  • Quarterly and annual perfect attendance bonuses

Qualified candidates must apply on-line at the City of Lakewood website by clicking here or applications may be printed and submitted via e-mail to:

HR@lakewoodoh.net

Or via USPS mail to:
City of Lakewood
Department of Human Resources
12650 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107
Attn: Police

The City of Lakewood is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employees in the Lakewood Police Department preserve the peace, protect life and property, prevent crimes, apprehend criminals, recover lost and stolen property, and

enforce, in a fair and impartial manner, the ordinances of the City of Lakewood and the laws of the State of Ohio and the United States of America.

Staying safe

By the numbers, excellent safety services, along with engaged participation from residents and neighborhood block clubs, have led to Lakewood becoming a safer place in the last five years. From 2017 to 2021, Lakewood has seen a 24 percent decrease in violent crime, a 29 percent decrease in auto thefts, and a 12 percent decrease in robberies.

Watch the video below about thefts of Hyundai & Kia’s vehicles:

Important information on how to avoid being the victim of a carjacking

Important information on distracted burlaries.

Curious about a police call, incident or report, please contact the Lakewood Police Department at (216) 521-6773 or email police@lakewoodoh.net.  Police@lakewoodoh.net is not monitored 24/7, please use the above phone number if an immediate response is required.