Join Nixa Police
- Overview
- Minimum Requirements
- Fitness Assessment
- Salary and Benefits
- Lateral Hire Program
- Selection Process
- Field Training
Do you have a strong desire to make a difference in people’s lives and help your community?
The Nixa Police Department is looking for individuals who exemplify honor, integrity, and respect to join our team. As a Nixa Police Officer, you will provide our community with a safe and secure environment, while working to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Nixa home.
For more information please review our website and if you have any questions please contact our recruiter at 417-725-2510 or recruiter@nixa.com.
Ready to join the Nixa Police Department?
- Must possess high school diploma or GED
- Candidates must presently hold a current Missouri P.O.S.T. Peace Officer License Certificate, or be presently attending a Police Academy, or be certified in another State
- If certified in another State but not currently certified in the State of Missouri, with a Missouri P.O.S.T. Peace Officer License, candidates will be allowed to complete the selection process. However, Missouri certification must be obtained before the time of commission. (Contact Missouri P.O.S.T. at 573-751-4905 to find out how to get your Missouri certification or visit the Missouri P.O.S.T. website).
- U.S. Citizen
- 21 years of age at commission
- No felony convictions
- No conviction for domestic assault
- No DWI, DUI, or BAC conviction within the past three years
- Tattoos are allowed except on the hands face and neck. Any visible tattoo deemed objectionable by the Chief of Police must be covered.
- May not have used an illegal controlled substance within the last three years
- Possess a valid State Driver’s License at the time of commission
- Successfully complete all elements of the selection process
- There is no local residency requirement
The fitness battery and its pass/fail thresholds are based on normative data gathered by the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas. The Cooper Institute’s normative data provide substantial evidence that both the exercises and pass/fail thresholds used in the fitness test are appropriate for law enforcement jobs.
ONE-MINUTE PUSH-UP TEST:
Purpose: This test measures muscular endurance of the upper body muscles (anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, triceps). Muscular endurance is defined as the ability to contract the muscle repeatedly over a specific period of time without undue fatigue.
How to Perform:
- Your hands should be placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, with fingers pointing forward. Your feet should be together. Do not cross them.
- Starting from the up position (front leaning rest), lower your body until your upper arms are parallel to the ground in the down position. You will then return to the up position. In the up position your elbows must be extended, in order to count. This is one repetition.
- Resting should be done in the up (front leaning rest position). Both hands must remain in contact with the floor at all times.
- The total number of correct push-ups in one minute is recorded as the score.
(Recover Time 5 Minutes)
TRIGGER PULL:
Applicants will be required to demonstrate the following operations of our service weapon:
How to Perform:
- You will pick up the pistol with your strong hand and bend your elbow to 90 degrees, pointing the muzzle of the pistol level and parallel to the floor. With the palm of your weak hand, you will grasp the top of the slide at the serrations, pull the slide to rear and release the slide to go forward. Extend the elbow completely forward, holding the pistol parallel to the floor, as if to aim the pistol, and squeeze the trigger. Bring the elbow back to 90 degrees, and repeat the sequence until you have squeezed the trigger six times strong handed. You will then place the pistol in your weak hand and repeat the exercise until you have squeezed the trigger six times with your weak hand.
- You will now place the pistol in your strong hand. You will pick up the magazine from the table with your weak hand. Bend your elbow, pointing the muzzle upward at a forty-five degree angle, flip the pistol slightly, and insert a magazine into the magazine well, locking the magazine into place with the heel of your weak hand. You will then press the magazine release and remove the magazine completely from the magazine well. You will be required to repeat this procedure six times.
- Next you will grasp the pistol in your strong hand. With the weak hand, grasp the top of the slide at the serrations, pulling the slide to the rear. Push upward on the slide lock lever, while letting the slide go slightly forward to lock the slide open. You will place the pistol on the table removing your hand to complete the trigger pull demonstration.
- If at any time you fail to follow instructions, the test monitor will notify you and direct you to repeat that portion of the test, which you failed to perform properly.
- You will be allowed two minutes and thirty seconds to complete this event. If you fail to complete the event in the allotted time, you will be disqualified.
ONE-MINUTE SIT-UPS:
Purpose: This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles.
How to Perform:
- Start by lying on your back, with your knees bent, heels flat on the floor. Your fingers should be interlocked and placed behind the head. (Be careful not to pull or strain neck). The buttocks must remain on the floor with no thrusting of the hips.
- A partner may hold your feet, if you wish.
- You should perform as many correct sit-ups as possible in one minute.
- While in the up position, you should touch your elbows to your knees and then return to a full lying position before starting the next sit-up. When returning to the down position your shoulder blades should touch the ground.
- Your score is the total number of correct sit-ups performed. Any resting should be done in the up position.
300 METER RUN:
Purpose: This is a test of anaerobic capacity. This is an important area for performing short intense burst of effort such as pursuit tasks. The score is the time to complete a 300-meter course.
How to Perform:
- You should stretch and warm up before testing.
- Your time to complete the course will be recorded.
- You should walk 3-5 minutes immediately following to cool down. This is an important safety consideration.
(Recover Time 5 to 10 Minutes)
1.5 MILE RUN:
Purpose: This is a measure of cardiovascular endurance or aerobic power.
How to Perform:
- You will be instructed to “Go”.
- You will complete six complete laps of the track.
- As you cross the line after each lap shout your last name and the lap you just completed.
- Your score will be recorded as the time it takes to complete the run.
- Please remember your time as you cross the finish line.
(Cardio-cool down for 5 minutes by walking)
2024 Police Officer Salary
$52,874.64 – $74,015.76 (2184 hours annually)
2024 Benefits Package
Uniforms and Equipment:
City of Nixa provides all uniforms and equipment except footwear and any equipment deemed optional (i.e. external vest carriers).
Optional Benefits:
Deferred compensation plans are available.
Health Insurance:
Health insurance is available through the City of Nixa. The City pays the employee’s premium and 50% of dependent coverage.
Dental Insurance:
Dental Insurance is available for all full-time employees and their dependents. The City pays the employee’s premium and 65% of dependent premiums.
Life Insurance:
The City of Nixa provides life insurance for full-time employees and their dependents: employee – $25,000, spouse – $10,000 and $5,000 per child.
Vision Insurance:
A vision plan is available for all full-time employees and their dependents. The City pays the employee’s premium and 65% of dependent premiums.
Retirement:
Missouri LAGERS (Life Program L-6) mandatory retirement system that is 100% employer paid. The employee is vested in the plan after 5 years. Normal retirement is age 55 for Police Officers. For more information view the Calculating Benefits page.
Patrol Division Work Schedule:
- 12-Hour Shifts
- Every other weekend off
- Three-day weekend every two weeks
- Always have two consecutive days off
- No one works more than three days in a row
- Available for training every two weeks
- Can field more staff per shift
Vacation:
0-4 years = 80 hours
5-9 years = 120 hours
10-19 years = 160 hours
20+ years = 200 hours
Vacation time will be allowed to be banked to a maximum of 320 hours and rolled over from year to year.
Paid Holidays:
156 hours per year
Holiday time will be allowed to be banked to a maximum of 156 hours and rolled over from year to year.
Personal Leave:
3 months to 15 years of service: 12 hours each year
12 additional hours for each 5 years of service thereafter.
Sick Leave:
96 hours per year
Sick time will be allowed to be banked to a maximum of 516 hours and rolled over from year to year.
Bereavement:
Up to 48 hours per year
*Effective 01/01/2024
All candidates for the position of Police Officer wanting to attend the Lateral Program must complete each element of the testing and selection process and meet the following requirements for consideration.
Requirements:
- Currently certified as a law enforcement officer. If not currently certified in the state of Missouri, with a Missouri P.O.S.T. Peace Officer License, candidates will be allowed to complete the selection process. However, Missouri certification must be obtained before the time of commission. (Contact Missouri P.O.S.T. at 573-751-4905 to find out how to get your Missouri certification or visit the Missouri P.O.S.T. website).
- Must have a minimum of two years full-time sworn police experience in any state, within the last five years. Primary duties must include responding to calls for service, conducting preliminary and/or follow-up investigations of crimes, responding to traffic accidents, and apprehending, detaining and arresting suspects.
Lateral Hire Pay:
Starting pay for lateral hires is discretionary and based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, years of law enforcement service, law enforcement assignments, special training, agency size and type. Availability of lateral pay is subject to the approved department annual budget.
Police Officer Lateral Hire Pay Scale (2184 HOURS):
- Level 2: $54,206.88
- Level 3: $55,539.12
- Level 4: $56,871.36
- Level 5: $58,203.60
- Level 6: $59,514.00
*Effective 01/01/2024
Seniority:
Nixa Police Department seniority shall be based upon continuous service with the Nixa Police Department with no break in service. For the purposes of assignments and promotions, years of service at any department other than the Nixa Police Department do not apply.
The testing and selection process includes the following elements:
Complete the Police Officer Interest Form
Complete the online Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)
Fitness for Duty Assessment
Written Exam
Entry-Level Police Online and Print Study Guides for the written exam are available for purchase at www.publicsafetycompass.com
Oral Interview
Background Investigation
Medical Physical
Pre-Employment Drug Screen
*Please Note: Once your Police Officer Interest Form has been reviewed and accepted you will be contacted by the Police Department and provided login information to complete an online Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). Applicants will be required to complete and certify the PHQ prior to any testing. Once your PHQ is received by the department and approved a test date will be provided.
In-House Academy
All officers hired at the Nixa Police Department must successfully complete an extensive Field Training Program.
After successful completion of the Field Training Program, new officers will be assigned to a patrol squad in the Operations Bureau. During this program, officers will have to perform a variety of duties. One minute the officer may be investigating a burglary, and the next minute get dispatched to a domestic assault call or a motor vehicle crash.
The Nixa Police Department’s Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) consists of four phases. The training period for lateral officers may be modified depending on the trainee’s demonstrated performance and level of experience.
This training will expose the Probationary Officer to NPD’s performance expectations and provide a foundation for them to build upon. The duration of this academy is approximately 4 weeks.
Phase One
The Probationary Officer will ride and observe a Field Training Officer (FTO) for approximately 40 hours (1 work week). The Probationary Officer should not initiate any enforcement activities unless necessary due to an emergency situation. This will expose the Probationary Officer to our expected performance standards.
Phase Two
The Probationary Officer will ride and observe a Field Training Officer (FTO) for approximately 40 hours (1 work week). The Probationary Officer should not initiate any enforcement activities unless necessary due to an emergency situation. This will expose the Probationary Officer to our expected performance standards.
Phase 3
The Probationary Officer will be “shadowed” for approximately 40 hours (one work week) by the FTO. While working together in the same patrol vehicle, the FTO will be in plain clothes and the Probationary Officer in uniform. During this phase, the principle role of the FTO is to observe and evaluate the Probationary Officer’s performance and ability to advance into Phase 4.
Phase Four
The Probationary Officer will be “shadowed” for approximately 40 hours (one work week) by the FTO Supervisor or appointee.
Upon successful completion of all four phases, the Patrol Officer will be assigned to one of the four patrol squads.
At any time that is deemed the Probationary Officer is not yet ready to proceed, he/she may be returned to a phase or have a phase extended. The length of the extension will be determined by the FTO Administrator and is subject to the approval of the Chief of Police.
For further information or questions about the Field Training and Evaluation Program, please contact the Nixa Police Department at 417-725-2510 and ask to speak to the FTEP Administrator.