Salary Information: $51,500 Contractual Benefits

The salary range for a patrol officer in 2024 is $51,500 to $70,550.  

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. 

Applicants must apply at governmentjobs.com. Applicants must submit a valid photo ID along with their application.

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. The written exam and physical fitness test will be completed on the same day. Specific dates will be announced later. 

Examples of Work: The Police Officer’s area(s) of responsibility shall provide for the prevention and suppression of crime, and the 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. 

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 170 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 here 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 the 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. Canton is currently experiencing an urban renaissance, anchored by its growing and thriving arts district centrally located in the downtown area. Several historic buildings have been rehabilitated and converted into upscale lofts and retail/food establishments. 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.

1. Fill out an application on governmentjobs.com. Upload a copy of your driver's license, high school diploma/transcripts, DD-214 (if applicable), college degree/transcripts (if applicable), OPOTA certification (if applicable), and any other supporting documentation BEFORE submitting your application. If you do not submit all required documentationWITH your application, you may be disqualified from further consideration.  
2. 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 and physical examination. Both exams will be conducted on the same day. The exams will be announced at a later date. Location details will be sent by email. 
3. 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.comaccount by the date of your examination. If you do not complete the PDR by the time the testing is completed, you may be disqualified from further consideration. 
4. 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:

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.

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 or Bachelor’s degrees.

Academy Certification: Preferred but not required. Must be able to obtain the required Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) Basic Police Training certification after hire.

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

TESTING PROCESS: The testing process will consist of two components. The two components are a written examination and physical fitness test, both administered by the Civil Service Commission. Passing score on the written exam is 70%. The physical fitness test is pass/fail. APPLICANTS MUST PASS BOTH COMPONENTS TO BE CONSIDERED.The only exception is those who show proof of active OPOTA certification; they do not have to take the physical fitness test. An applicant’s written exam score plus bonus credits shall be the basis for the scoring and ranking of candidates on an eligibility list. Bonus credits shall be added only if the candidate passes both test components. Test date details will be provided to qualified applicants at a later date. 

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)
• Bachelor's 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 BOTH TEST COMPONENTS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ANY BONUS CREDIT. The maximum bonus credit allowable is forty percent (40%). 

HIRING PROCESS: Completion of the entry-level testing process through the Civil Service Commission that meets the minimum passing score, physical agility test (non-certified applicants only), background investigation, board interview, voice stress analysis, psychological/personality test, physical and drug screen.

CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS: A candidate is declared eligible for employment upon successful completion of both facets 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.

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.

Contact Canton Civil Service for any questions regarding the application process at 330-489-3360.

BY ORDER OF CANTON CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Rachel A. Forchione, Director

Anna M. Moeglin, Assistant Director