At Tempe Police Department, we foster a culture of trust, inclusivity, and community engagement. We are dedicated to building a police force that reflects the diversity of our community and is committed to protecting and serving with compassion and professionalism.  We invite you to apply for a rewarding career as a Police Officer with Tempe PD!

Please review the testing schedule (PDF) for application and test dates.  If you are currently an Arizona POST-certified or an out-of-state police officer, please visit the Lateral Testing page.

Testing & Hiring Process

1. Review eligibility requirements:
   1. Be a US Citizen.
   2. Be 20½ years of age at time of application.
   3. High school diploma or equivalent.
   4. Please review AzPOST & Tempe PD Minimum Requirements. (PDF)
2. Complete an application online.  As soon as the online application is accepted you should:
   1. Complete the AzPOST Personal History Form at my.AZPOST (if you have not done already so).  Once complete be sure to share your personal history form with Tempe PD.
   2. Candidates will be contacted by Human Resources via email after applications close with additional test information. Scheduling options that reduce travel for out-of-state candidates are available. 
   3. Complete and print the AzPOST & TPD PH Face Sheet, Release & FCRA&D.  You will bring this packet with you to the physical agility test.
3. The physical agility test has three components you must pass to continue the process.  The stages are: 
   1.  A 1½ mile run in no more than 13:56 minutes;
   2. Completion of 21 or more push-ups in no more than 1:00 minute;
   3. Completion of 31 or more sit-ups in no more than 1:00 minute.
   4. For an overview of the physical agility test, please watch this video to learn more.
4. The written exam will be given to recruits the same day as the physical agility test.  When you receive a 70% or better you are moved to the background list.  Military preference points are added for veterans who honorably served. 
   1. Use the complimentary PACT Candidate Orientation Guide (PDF) to help you study for the written exam.
5. A background interview is completed after successfully completing the physical agility and written exam, which establishes the honesty and integrity of each applicant.  A member of the hiring team will speak with you about your professional and personal history.  For an overview of the background interview, please watch this video to learn more.
6. A polygraph examination will follow the background interview.  The hiring team will provide more details prior to your exam.  For an overview of the polygraph examination, please watch this video to learn more.
7. If you are successful in all previous phases, a conditional job offer may be extended at which point you will proceed to additional phases.
8. A psychological evaluation ensures you are prepared for a successful career as a police officer.  The hiring team will explain this and the medical exam prior to your appointments. 
9. The medical examination is similar to an extensive sports physical and is completed after your psychological evaluation.  This is the final step in the hiring process and employment begins soon thereafter. 

For more videos about the Tempe Police Department, please visit our YouTube page.

Out-of-State Recruit Applicants 

Recruit applicants who live out of state may attend testing on a scheduled test date when they RSVP.  If you require a testing date that falls outside our regular schedule, we can arrange to consolidate multiple test phases into a single trip to minimize travel. Further details regarding this process will be provided via email once the application period concludes.

After an out-of-state recruit applicant passes these phases, they are placed on the background list for one year from their application date for participation in additional phases.

Please contact a recruiter with any questions as we are here to assist you in achieving success. 

JoinTempePD@tempe.gov  |  1 877 TPD AND U (1 877 873-2638)