Police Officer Lateral Entry

Overview

One-day Lateral Academy Orientation:
Friday, August 7, 2026. The LMPD Lateral Academy is expected to start on Monday, August 17, 2026.

• Participates in the academic and physical recruit training program of the Louisville Metro Police Academy.
• Participates in a battery of exams to determine suitability for the position of Police Officer.

• Attends classes in personnel procedures, police regulations, current laws, the criminal justice system, human behavior, and a variety of other topics related to police work.
• Works in various operational bureaus to provide additional manpower and gain familiarity with the functions of the Louisville Metro Police Department.
• Participates in practical training of firearm usage, driving, self-defense, arrest procedures, use of police equipment and a variety of other procedures and activities related to police work.
• Takes tests to measure knowledge gained, evaluates performance, and determines progress made.
• Performs related work as assigned.

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.
• Must have been employed as a sworn Police Officer in the United States with a minimum of three years of sworn Police Officer experience.

• Must currently possess a valid Kentucky Peace Officer Certification and/or be able to bring certification back to current status. OR, if out of state, must be able to obtain reciprocity through the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) per Title 503 Kentucky Administrative Regulation (KAR) 1:140.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Applicants who have illegally bought, sold, or trafficked as defined in KRS 218A.010 and KRS 218A.1431, controlled substances, other than marijuana within six years of application will be disqualified.
• Applicants who have used an illegal controlled substance other than marijuana within the last six years of application will be disqualified.
• Applicants who have illegally bought, possessed, or used marijuana, including medicinal cannabis, within six months of application will be disqualified.
• Applicants who have illegally sold marijuana, including medicinal cannabis, within one year of application will be disqualified.
• Applicants who have used a prescription-controlled substance without a prescription on a single occasion within the last six years of application will be disqualified for one year since the last use without a prescription.
• Applicants who have used a prescription-controlled substance without a prescription more than once within the last six years of application will be disqualified.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony or have any criminal action pending against them.
• Misdemeanor convictions will be considered on an individual basis.
• Must submit to a pre-employment drug screening.
• Must submit to a pre-employment polygraph examination.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical agility test.
• Must take a pre-employment written and oral psychological evaluation.
• Must wear personal protective and safety equipment as mandated by OSHA.
• Must be vaccinated for hepatitis B, have provided evidence of immunity, or have signed a declination form within ten days of initial assignment.
• Must work a varied schedule.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must pass a pre-employment medical/stress examination.
• Must not be a current user of illegal drugs.
• Must have received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions if having served in any branch of the armed forces of the United States.
• Must not be prohibited by federal or state law from possessing a firearm.
• Must not have an accumulation of nine or more points for traffic violations.
• Must not have had certification as a peace officer permanently revoked in another state.
• Must not within a period of two years hired himself (herself) out, performed any service, or received any compensation from any private source for acting as a privately paid detective, policeman, guard, peace officer or otherwise as an active participant in any labor dispute, or conducted the business of a private detective agency or of any agency supplying private detectives, private policeman, or private guards or advertised or solicited any such business in connection with any labor dispute.

• Lifts and/or moves heavy objects or persons in the course of rescue activities.
• Physically restrains persons in the course of law enforcement activities.
• Chases suspects on foot in the course of law enforcement/criminal apprehension activities.
• Works outside in all extreme weather conditions.
• Operates police vehicles during the day and night; observes criminal actions taking place; observes traffic violations; and reviews and prepares reports and correspondence.
• Communicates with other individuals in person, over a telephone and over a radio.

Louisville Metro Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the Louisville Metro Government to provide…