If you’re looking for an exciting career in the world of law enforcement, 911 dispatching or any of the support positions it takes to make it all happen – we’d love for you to JOIN OUR TEAM!
Below are the career paths at the Nampa Police Department. To learn more about each one, simply click on the image. Currently we are accepting applications for ACO.
Steps in the application process
Prepare before you apply!
Applicants must meet all the below requirements in order to receive employment consideration.
Age – Must be at least 21 years of age for Police Officer, 19 years of age for Animal Control Officer (ACO), Community Service Officer (CSO) and Dispatcher; 18 years of age for all others.
Citizenship – Applicants must be US Citizens.
Education – Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Driver License – Applicants must submit a copy of a valid drivers license from any state provided that prior to appointment a valid Idaho Drivers license is submitted to the Nampa Police Departments recruitment and background unit.
The Nampa Police Department will likely disqualify any candidate whose background include the following:
Drugs – Use of marijuana, cannabis, hashish, oils, edibles, vaporizers or any other substance containing THC or CBD in both natural and synthetic forms within the last 3 years. This also includes use in states and countries where marijuana has been legalized or for medical use.
Have used any other drug (methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, mushrooms, etc…) within the last 5 years.
Have illegally used, abused, or misused prescription drugs (controlled substances) including the use of prescription drugs not prescribed to you or steroids within the last 5 years.
Have snorted, inhaled, or huffed any substances, such as glue, paint or inhalants, etc. in order to get high within the past 5 years.
Have sold, transported, or manufactured illegal drugs for profit within the last 10 years.
Criminal activity – Any adult felony convictions. (Juvenile felony convictions will be reviewed on a case by case basis). This policy will also include withheld judgments as convictions.
No undetected felony or history of misdemeanors committed by applicant within the last 5 years preceding application.
Any misdemeanor crimes involving domestic battery or violence, child abuse, stalking, or voyeurism.
Any criminal probation must already have been served.
Association – Any involvement with or regular contact with people who use illegal drugs, are currently incarcerated (or are on probation/parole), or are involved in any criminal activity. Additionally, applicants cannot be engaged in any gang activity, escort services, exotic dancing, or any other activity that would bring discredit to the Nampa Police Department.
Driving – Have been convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the last 3 years.
Have had a driver’s license suspension within the last 3 years relating to a DUI, chemical test refusal, or points assessed due to moving traffic violations (if driving is an essential function of the job).
Military – A “dismissal,” “bad conduct discharge” (BCD), “dishonorable discharge” (DD), or administrative discharge of, “other than honorable” (OTH). Any other discharge will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Deception – Misstating, omitting or deliberately lying about anything during any stage of the hiring process.
Your application is the beginning of your assessment, please be sure to take the time and read every question carefully. There are two part questions on some of the forms that require a full response to both. Do not leave previous job experience blank even though you are uploading a resume’.
The following steps are only for applying at the Nampa Police Department.
Step 1 – Application
Applying is really easy and is done completely online (use a desktop/laptop) at Policeapp.com. There is a small fee for filling this out (have your credit card ready) which is a Policeapp.com fee. Within each of the career paths above is an “apply here” button which will take you directly to Policeapp.com application if that position is currently open. You will then be emailed links for various documents to be filled out as you move through the process.
Step 2 – Physical Readiness Test
After completing the application and biography, you may be offered the opportunity to advance to the Physical Readiness Test (PRT). This is normally held in the morning at 7:30 and takes about an hour and a half to complete. This is for Police Officer applicants only.
PRT is designed to evaluate your capability to perform the functions that are critical to both personal and public safety. This is a pass/fail test, if you fail any one of the events you are disqualified from moving further in the process.
PRT is comprised of the following 5 events:
1. Vertical Jump: You must demonstrate you can jump a minimum of 14 inches.
2. 1 Minute Timed Sit-ups: Must complete a minimum of 15 repetitions.
3. Push Ups (not timed): Must complete a minimum of 21 repetitions.
4. 300 Meter Run: Must complete 300 meter run within 77 seconds.
5. 1.5 Mile Run/Walk: Must complete 1.5 mile run/walk within 17 minutes, 17 seconds.
Step 3 – Oral Board
The same day as the PRT will be the oral board. This is an opportunity for you to meet with three of the Nampa Police staff members where you will be asked questions and evaluated on your answers. We are looking for individuals who are good at problem solving, critical thinking, possess good verbal communications skills, able to relay your honesty and integrity to the board and convey your knowledge of the Nampa Police Department and the City of Nampa.
You can expect the oral board portion to take approximately 45 minutes. You should come dressed in formal business attire.
Step 4 – Background Investigation
The Nampa Police Department places a strong emphasis on conducting a thorough and complete background investigation for each new applicant. After successfully completing the above steps, you will receive an invitation to complete an electronic Pre-Investigative Questionnaire (PIQ) and a Personal History Statement (PHS). The PHS will require a list of documents that must be submitted with the PHS. It is important for you to ensure the PHS is submitted with complete and accurate information. The PIQ will be used during the investigators interview as well as the polygraph exam.
Once the you have submitted the required information and documentation, a background investigator will conduct the investigation. Failure to respond with the required information or failure to communicate in a timely manner may result in you being disqualified from the hiring process.
Step 5 – Chief’s Meeting
Chief Huff meets with every applicant for about 30 minutes to discuss the Nampa Police core values and mission. This gives him the opportunity to get to know you, as a potential member of his team, and ensure you understand how important maintaining his vision and mission for the police department in the community is.
Step 6 – Polygraph
A polygraph examination is used to evaluate the validity of the information you provide during the background investigation. Prior to the examination, the polygraph examiner will review your PIQ. The examiner will then develop the examination based on the information provided in the questionnaire and a report provided by the applicant’s background investigator.
You should be dressed in business formal attire, and expect the polygraph examination to last about 3 hours.
Step 7 – Psychological Evaluation
The psychological evaluation is conducted by a licensed psychologist and consists of a one-on-one interview with the you, along with a series of psychological examinations. The purpose of the psychological evaluation is to evaluate your mental and emotional fitness, and to determine if the you are well suited for a career in law enforcement from a psychological standpoint.
You should be dressed in business formal attire, and expect the psychological evaluation to last about 3 hours.
Step 8 – Medical Exam
The final step in the hiring process is a medical examination. Idaho POST requires each applicant to participate in a medical examination prior to certifying him/her as a peace officer. Medical examinations are required to ensure the non-existence of pre-existing medical conditions that would preclude you from performing the essential functions required on the job.
Welcome to the Meridian/Nampa
Joint Police Academy
If you’re chosen for employment, you will attend the Basic Police Academy. The Nampa Police Department and the Meridian Police Department offer a full-time joint Police Academy recruit training program.
The recruit class sessions are Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. for 17 weeks. Each class has an assigned Training Coordinator to provide training and guidance to recruits during the program. The training consists of State of Idaho mandated courses that include law, crime scene investigations, patrol procedures, criminal investigations, DUI/traffic stops, traffic crash investigations, physical fitness, firearms, law enforcement vehicle operations, report writing, first aid, communication, defensive tactics. This is not a stress academy. That’s not to say you can goof off, it’s still very regimented and you are expected to be professional.
If you qualify as a lateral candidate, your portion of the Academy may be shortened to 10 weeks, depending on your experience.
At the successful completion, you must then complete 14 weeks of field training which consists of 4 different phases. Each phase builds upon the previous one. You also must complete 12 months of probation in your discipline to become Idaho POST Basic Certified.