Lateral Transfer Police Officer

Salary:

2025 Range: $59,018 - $74,994

2026 Range: $60,789 - $78,851

2027 Range: $62,613 - $82,823

Employment with the City of Canton comes with an array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, paid vacations, paid holidays, a retirement plan, sick time, and personal holidays. Candidates may receive credit for service with other police departments for purposes of vacation accrual rate and sick leave. For additional details on benefits, please contact hr@cantonohio.gov.

Applicants must apply at governmentjobs.com/careers/cantonohio. Applicants MUST submit a valid photo ID along with their application and a copy of their OPOTA certification.

To be eligible for the position under this examination, all applicants must be U.S. citizens or possess a valid permanent resident card.

This is an open examination for lateral transfer police officers.

Job Description

The City of Canton is recruiting candidates for the position of full-time Police Officer. The Canton Police Department is looking for Lateral applicants.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: A Police Officer shall be responsible through intermediate supervision to a Commanding Officer for the efficient operation of his/her assignment in conformance with established procedures and policies commensurate with his/her level of responsibility. The Police Officer shall exercise authority with the obligations imposed upon him/her by oath of office and be accountable to his/her superior officers, promptly obeying legitimate orders.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF CLASS: The Police Officer shall be available for duty at all times and respond punctually to all assignments. The individual shall familiarize him/herself with administrative policy and by study and research become familiar with advance techniques and ideas designed to improve police performance.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: The Police Officer’s area(s) of responsibility shall provide for prevention and suppression of crime, protection of life and property, apprehension and prosecution of offenders, preservation of regulatory measures, and preservation of peace. The individual shall maintain arms and equipment in a functional presentable condition and shall conduct him/herself in accordance with high ethical standards, both on and off duty.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES: A Police Officer must maintain a thorough knowledge of departmental operational policies and procedures and satisfactory working relationships with superiors. He/she shall assist in the implementation of all departmental programs and coordinate all efforts with those of other members of the department so that their teamwork may ensure continuity of purpose and maximum achievement of Police objectives.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION: The City of Canton Police Department (CPD) is seeking individuals who wish to make a positive impact within the community they serve. CPD desires officers who will be community-oriented and encourages all to apply, with an increased emphasis on women and other minorities. The City of Canton Police Department strives to staff our Forces with Officers that mirror the Community for which we serve. The Canton Police Department has approximately 150 Officers and 30 non-sworn personnel who are active in many facets of policing and are progressive in seeking the latest in technology and training to complete our mission of serving the Hall of Fame City. Opportunities for movement include Patrol Operations, Detective Bureau, K-9 operations, Community Involvement Unit, SWAT, Coordinated Response Unit, Crime Scene Investigations, Real-Time Crime Analyst, Training Bureau, Federal Task Forces, and Metro-Narcotics operations. Promotional exams are conducted as positions are vacated. Our Officers are from all different backgrounds and serve in a variety of roles. They are making a difference and love what they do, and you could too! Click the link to access the Collective Bargaining Agreements.

CITY INFORMATION: Canton is a city in, and the county seat of, Stark County, Ohio. It is located approximately 60 miles south of Cleveland and 20 miles south of Akron in Northeast Ohio. Canton is chiefly notable for being home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the birthplace of the National Football League. Canton is also home to the William McKinley National Memorial in honor of our country’s 25th president. One of downtown Canton’s newest editions, Centennial Plaza, is a vibrant hub for community events and social activities.Canton has the opportunities of a large-scale city while instilling that unparalleled feeling of a small hometown.

Steps to apply:

Please click here if you have any questions about submitting the application.

• Fill out an application on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cantonohio. Upload a copy of your driver's license, OPOTA certification, high school diploma OR transcripts, DD-214 (if applicable), college degree/transcripts (if applicable), and any other supporting documentation BEFORE submitting your application. If you do not submit all required documentation WITH your application, you may be disqualified from further consideration. If you submit your college degree, we do not need a copy of your high school diploma.
• The Canton Civil Service staff will review your application. If you meet the minimum requirements and have all necessary documentation uploaded, you will be sent additional information about the Police Officer written examination. The exam will be announced at a later date. Location and testing details will be sent by email.
• After you apply, you will be emailed a copy of the Personal Data Report (PDR). You must complete the form and upload it to your governmentjobs.com account by the end of testing. If you do not complete the PDR by the deadline, you may be disqualified from further consideration.
• The Civil Service Commission will also send you release forms that will need to be signed in order to conduct background investigations. These forms will need to be printed, signed, scanned, and uploaded to your governmentjobs.com account along with the PDR.

Job Requirements:

Years of Experience: Minimum of two years of continuous law enforcement service with less than twelve months break in service. Determination of years of service, subject to review.

Age Limit: 21 to 39. NO OFFICERS SHALL BE APPOINTED AFTER THEIR 40TH BIRTHDAY. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

Citizenship Required: You must be a citizen of the United States or possess a valid permanent resident card. (must attach to application in order to qualify)

High School Grad/GED: Must have a high school diploma or possess a G.E.D.

Valid Driver's License: You must possess a valid driver’s license issued by your state of residence.

Ability to Read/Speak English: Yes.

Vision: Must be able to distinguish primary colors.

College: Not required but a bonus will be added to your entrance exam for Associate's in law enforcement or criminal justice or Bachelor’s degree.

Academy Certification: Required for lateral transfers. Must attach a copy to your application.

Felony Conviction: An applicant who has been convicted of a felony is ineligible for this position.

Testing Information

TESTING PROCESS:

All applicants must complete a written examination administered by the Civil Service Commission. Passing score on the written exam is 70%. The written examination will count as 100% of your total grade. Possession of active OPOTA certification exempts applicants from completing physical test. An applicant’s overall passing score plus bonus credits shall be the basis for the ranking of candidates on an eligibility list. Bonus credits shall be added only if the candidate passes.

Exceptions: Those who completed and passed the written exam within the last year do not need to retake the written exam.

REPEATING AN EXAMPer OAC Rule 123: 1-9-01, an applicant who has competed in a civil service examination cannot repeat that examination or take an examination for the same classification within FOUR MONTHS from the date of original examination, unless an alternative form of examination is given, or unless other standards are specified in the examination announcement.

Additional Information

*DISCLAIMER*
All applicants should receive an email from confirming that their application was received. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact Civil Service at to confirm that your application went through. Once Civil Service processes applications, you will be emailed again within 5 business days. Should you not receive an email, please call our office at 330-489-3360.

BONUS CREDIT INFORMATION:
Below is a detailed explanation of available bonus credits.

MILITARY SERVICE:
As provided in ORC 124.23C, any person who has completed service in the uniformed services, who have been honorably discharged from the uniformed services or transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service, and who is an Ohio resident and any member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio National Guard, who has completed more than 180 days of active duty service pursuant to an executive order of the President of the United States or an act of Congress of the United States may file with the director a certificate of service or honorable discharge (DD-214 – Long version), and upon this filing, the person shall receive an additional credit of twenty percent (20%) of the person’s total grade given in the examination in which the person receives a passing grade.

A member in good standing of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio National Guard, who successfully completes the member’s initial entry-level training shall receive a credit of fifteen percent (15%) of the person’s total grade given in the examination in which the person receives a passing grade.

Testing Bonuses for Police Officers (40% maximum credit allowable):

• Active OPOTA certification: 20% bonus
• Military Service (see above)
• Bachelors Degree: 10% bonus
• Associates Degree in law enforcement or criminal justice: 5% bonus

TO RECEIVE BONUS CREDIT FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE, DOCUMENTATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WHEN APPLICANT APPLIES. AN APPLICANT MUST PASS WRITTEN TEST IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ANY BONUS CREDIT. The maximum bonus credit allowable is forty percent (40%).

SENIORITY CREDIT:
Department seniority is calculated starting from the date a candidate is hired by the City of Canton. Previous service at other police departments does not contribute to departmental seniority.

CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS:
A candidate is declared eligible for employment upon successful completion of the testing process. Eligible candidates will be ranked in grade order from highest to lowest scores according to their scores plus any applicable bonus credit(s) provided the minimum passing score is attained and bonus credit documentation is provided. The eligibility list will be valid for a one-year period, or until the position is closed.

GENERAL HIRING PROCESS:
Completion of the testing process through the Civil Service Commission, background investigation, voice stress analysis, board interview, psychological/personality test, physical and drug screen. Review by Chief of Police and Safety Director to determine salary placement.

NOTICE OF MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION REQUIREMENT
Applicants are hereby advised that the position of employment being examined for is subject to a physical evaluation, drug test, and psychological evaluation. Accordingly, eligibility for hire is not considered final until all evaluations have been successfully completed with passing results.

NOTICE OF BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
Be advised that candidates will be subjected to a confidential background investigation, including, but not limited to, a criminal record check and a driving record check. Accordingly, eligibility for hire is not considered final until the background investigation has been successfully completed with passing results.

ADA COMPLIANCE
Reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA Compliance will be made available upon request to those qualified applicants in need of it, in order to achieve the essential job functions as described above.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for appointment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, age, type of disability, or any other non-merit factor.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $59,018.00 - $74,994.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Uniform allowance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Morning shift
• Night shift
• Overnight shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $59,018 - $74,994