Police Officer

Now Hiring: Lateral Police Officers – City of Powell, Ohio

Experience matters — and we’re ready to recognize it.

The Powell Police Department is conducting a Lateral-Only Police Officer hiring process for experienced, OPOTA-certified officers who want to serve a community-focused, relationship-driven agency. This recruitment is for currently-certified police officers with prior full-time law enforcement experience.

This is an exciting time to join Powell — with a new FOP contract set to be negotiated for 2027–2029, experienced officers will have a strong foundation for continued growth in pay and incentives.

Compensation :

• 2026 Lateral Entry Starting Pay: $78,741.21
• Top Step 2026 Pay: Up to $117,715.83
• Chief of Police has discretion to bring experienced lateral officers in at higher steps based on prior service.

Under the Powell Police Department’s current FOP contract for 2024–2026, Officers receive the following enhanced compensation and benefits: 

• An 18% increase in compensation over the life of the contract
• Work schedule of 12 hour shifts with a 3-day weekend every other week
• Increased vacation accrual and having prior years of service count toward earning additional vacation time
• Retention Incentive pay starting at 4 years of service with the City
• Two additional holidays - Juneteenth and Veteran's Day
• Educational Incentives for having an Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, and Master's Degree
• Shift Differential pay at $1.15/hr.
• Refillable bank of comp time up to 84 hours. Employee may cash time out or use for time off
• Elect to save holiday pay into Holiday Pay Compensatory Bank up to 96 hours a year. Employee may cash time out or use for time off
• Field Training Officer and Instructor supplement of $3.00/hr.
• Agency paid life insurance policy up to $100,000
• Flexibility to work out during your shift

Requirements to be a City of Powell Police Officer

At the time of appointment:

• United States citizen, or possess a valid permanent resident card
• Fluently read and speak English
• Must currently possess a valid Ohio Peace Officer certificate from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy or be able to pass the exam
• Must be 21 or older at the time of appointment
• ORC 124.41 , Police Department Qualifications - Police Cadet Program: Must be able to complete processing and enter an Academy class before reaching the 35th birthday
• Valid Ohio driver's license
• High school diploma or equivalent certificate
• No felony convictions
• Must be able to successfully complete all stages of the selection process to include application phase, oral interviews, background investigation, truth verification examination, medical examination and psychological examination.

Automatic Disqualifiers

The following will disqualify a potential candidate from hire for the position of Police Officer:

• Any incidents of dishonesty or falsification throughout the application and selection process
• History of domestic violence or failure to pay court-ordered child support
• Employment history that includes a pattern of discipline or termination
• Any 'dishonorable', 'bad conduct' or 'other than honorable discharge' from military service
• A conviction of vehicular homicide or an equivalent offense
• Driving record which contains multiple moving violations, recent OVI or equivalent offenses, other serious traffic convictions or an overall poor driving record
• Criminal history, that includes:
• Any felony conviction
• An admission or a conviction for any theft offense within the last (5) years
• A pattern of theft or similar offenses
• Any fraudulent insurance or related claims
• Multiple criminal convictions of any nature
• Substance abuse, that includes:
• Any illegal substance use within one (1) year of the candidate's application
• History of cultivating, manufacturing or trafficking in illegal drugs
• A pattern of using illegal drugs or abusing legally obtained drugs

How to Apply

Visit the Police Department's employment page at https://www.cityofpowell.us/About-Us/Police-Agency/Employment to submit a resume and application packet.

Questions? Contact: jnahvi@cityofpowell.us

The City of Powell is an Equal Opportunity Employer