Police Officer

Overview

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to fill current openings for Police Officer with the City of Ames Police Department. For applicants, please see below the dates of application review for timely consideration. Police Officers perform work related to the enforcement of law, maintenance of order, protection of life and property, and prevention of crime; contributes to citywide problem-solving and performs related work as required.

Work is within a 24/7/365 environment and subject to shift assignment and occasional mandatory overtime.

SALARY
The current starting annual salary for this position is $66,794 ($32.30 per hour). Specified months of City of Ames PD service are applied as step increases, per the PPME bargaining agreement. Annual salaries for Police Officers are based on a 2068 hours worked schedule. Salaries may be subject to change according to worked overtime.

HIRING WAGE INCENTIVE
For this recruitment, any Iowa certified Officer, or any out-of-state certified Officer who can gain certification through examination with the ILEA, who begins employment as a result of this recruitment, shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $2000. Any non-certified Officer who begins employment from this recruitment shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $1000. This incentive shall be paid in the following increments: 50% upon hire;

25% after 6 months of employment; 25% after probationary period ends or 12 months of employment (whichever is later).

The City of Ames is offering lateral transfers for certified officers, up to step D (49-72 months). Current Iowa Law Enforcement Academy certification will be required before applying any step consideration.

The current steps are outlined below for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Kilobyte-level details include monthly/ hourly rates and annual pay per step.

Note:

Some line items were duplicated in the source posting and are consolidated here for clarity.

• 0-12 months: $32.30/hour, $66,794 annual
• 13-24 months: $33.46/hour, $69,193
• 25-48 months: $35.38/hour, $73,176
• 49-72 months: $37.31/hour, $77,157
• 73-96 months: $39.33/hour, $81,337
• 97-120 months: $41.96/hour, $86,776
• 121-168 months: $43.53/hour, $90,011
• 169+ months: $45.32/hour, $93,721

This position is also bound by a residency requirement per the same bargaining agreement, which is outlined under “Other Supplemental Information” later in this posting.

Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at:
City of Ames Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
The PSLF Program is a federal program that forgives the balance of federal student loans after 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. More information can be found on the PSLF Program website.

Education and Experience
Successful completion of high school, HiSet, or GED, PLUS 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours in an accredited college or university in diversified academic subjects, OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Certification by a law enforcement academy may not substitute for any course credit. Technical or occupation courses are not included, though credits in criminal justice, liberal arts, or closely related fields will be considered.

Licenses and Certificates
Must obtain a valid Iowa driver license upon appointment. Must meet all state standards for Peace Officer certification, complete the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, and achieve certification within one year of appointment. Must exceed ILEA fitness testing standards and participate in ILEA-based testing biannually.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Some knowledge of the purpose of law enforcement and criminal justice system. Ability to observe,…