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Page last updated on February 8, 2024 at 1:56 pm

Now Hiring - Certified Police Officers

A $5,000 hiring bonus is now available for the lateral transfer of certified police officers who have completed the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Tier 1 Basic Training (or an out-of-state equivalent). The starting pay for lateral transfer officers is $73,184 ($68,184 plus $5,000 hiring bonus).

Text "JOINBPD" to (812)633-3189 to apply and/or get more information and be connected with a recruiter!

 

Under the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and the Collective Bargaining Unit, the salary of an Officer First Class (OFC) will increase 21.87% between the years of 2023-2026. The salary for an OFC is $68,184 in 2024; $70,161 in 2025; and, $72,266 in 2026. Probationary officer pay for those that are not already a certified officer is $63,683 in 2024.

 

The Bloomington Police Department accepts online employment applications year-round for the position of Probationary Police Officer. Individuals interested in being notified of the next hiring process should complete this form, or text "JOINBPD" to (812)633-3189. Information about current salary and benefits can be found here.

 

 

Join Our Team - Click here for the online application

 

The Bloomington Police Department accepts application forms year-round for the position of Police Officer with the Department. Please click on the link above to complete the short online application form in order to receive information regarding testing times and locations when the next hiring process is announced.

Full applications will be due after an applicant passes the physical and written test and is invited to interview with the Department. Incomplete applications or applications with illegible email addresses will not be considered. All notifications related to hiring processes will be made via e-mail, so applicants must maintain an active e-mail account. If you have any questions regarding the application or hiring process, please contact us at recruits@bloomington.in.gov. Applicants should not drop off full applications unless instructed to do so, as the Department will not store them and they will be destroyed.

Inquiries may be submitted to:
Bloomington Police Department
Attn: Captain Ryan Pedigo
220 E. Third Street
Bloomington, IN 47401

 

Applicant Requirements

For appointment as a police officer with the City of Bloomington, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

 

1. Must be at least 21 years of age and not more than 40 years of age, or less than 40 years and six months if the applicant is a veteran with 20 years of armed forces service, at the time of appointment.

2. Must be a high school graduate (G.E.D. is acceptable). A college degree is preferred.

3. Must have adequate means of transportation into the jurisdiction served by the Department and maintain telephone service to communicate with the Department. 

4. Must possess a valid driver's license.

5. Must successfully pass a general aptitude test and physical agility test.

6. Must submit to a truth verification examination, and be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.

7. Must submit to an oral interview before a Hiring Board for the purpose of determining the applicant's ability to communicate, their individual experience, and relevant background information.

8. After a conditional job offer is made, the applicant must pass a psychological screening and physical examination performed by a licensed physician, chosen by the Police Pension Board, and be accepted into the 1977 Police Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement Fund.

9. Must pass the physical fitness standards of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, and must meet and maintain the physical standards of the Bloomington Police Department throughout employment.

 

Testing Procedures

The testing location will be announced approximately 2 weeks prior to the testing date. This information will be sent to the email provided on the application.

NOTE: YOU MUST BRING PICTURE IDENTIFICATION SUCH AS A DRIVER'S LICENSE TO TAKE THE EXAM.

A description of both the written aptitude test and physical agility test is presented below. Please examine these procedures to ensure you fully understand them since each applicant has the responsibility of informing the department of any difficulties or problems created by these procedures. Applicants who wish to report any concerns about these procedures should contact the department no later than one week prior to the examination date.

 

Written Test

 

Instructions for the test will be read aloud by the test monitor. The test will require that applicants read printed materials and record their answers in the test booklet. Each section of the test is timed.

Listed below are some tips, which might help to make your test more comfortable and successful.

1) Answer every question on the test, even if you have to guess; there is no penalty for guessing.

2) Take your time.

3) Lunch will not be provided.

4) Listen carefully to the monitor's instructions.

5) Make certain that your answers are entered into the correct spaces on the answer sheet.

6) If you have trouble with a particular question, skip it and return to it later.

7) Get a good night's rest before the test.

8) Try to relax as much as possible during the test.

Testing will take all morning and include physical agility testing, so wear comfortable workout type clothing.

NOTE: Smoking is not allowed in the study/examination room, or anywhere on testing property.

 

Physical Agility Tests:

 

  • Vertical Jump: Minimum 16 inches
  • Sit Ups: Minimum 29 in one minute
  • 300 Meter Run: Maximum 71 seconds
  • Push Ups: Minimum 25 no time limit
  • 1.5 Mile Run: Maximum 16 minutes 28 seconds

 

Protocol for Vertical Jump (minimum 16 inches)

1. Applicant stands with feet together under the measuring apparatus and reaches as high as possible to mark a spot.

2. Applicant jumps as high as possible and marks the highest point of the jump. Applicant must jump from both feet. Arms may be pumped and thrust upward. The foot closest to the apparatus must remain stationary. Moving the foot farthest from the apparatus prior to the jump is optional.

 

Protocol for Sit Ups (minimum 29 in one minute)

1. The applicant starts by lying on his/her back, knees bent, heels flat on the floor, with the fingers interlaced and held behind the head. Avoid pulling on the head with the hands. The buttocks must remain on the floor with no thrusting of the hips.

2. A partner holds the feet down firmly.

3. The applicant then performs as many correct sit-ups as possible in 1 minute.

4. In the sit-up position, the applicant should touch elbows to knees and then return until the shoulder blades touch the floor.

5. Score is total number of correct sit-ups. Any resting must be done in the up position. Resting more than one (1) second on the floor invalidates the results.

 

Protocol for 300 Meter Run (maximum 71 seconds)

1. Applicant runs 300 meters at a maximum level of effort. Time used to complete the distance is recorded.

 

Protocol for Push Ups (minimum 25 no time limit)

1. Hands are placed shoulder width apart, with fingers pointing forward. Some parts of the hands must lie within a vertical line drawn from the outside edge of the shoulders to the floor. A partner/scorer places one fist on the floor below the participant's chest (sternum).

2. Starting from the up position (arms fully extended with elbows locked, both hands and both feet only touching the floor), the applicant must keep the back straight at all times and lower the body to the floor until the chest (sternum) touches the scorer's fist. The applicant then returns to the up position with the elbows fully locked. This is one repetition.

3. Resting is permitted only in the up position. The back must remain straight during resting.

4. When the applicant elects to stop or cannot continue, the total number of correct push-ups is recorded as the score. There is no time limit.

 

Protocol for 1.5 Mile Run (maximum time 16 minutes 28 seconds)

1. The applicant will run 1.5 miles as quickly as possible.

2. Finish times will be called out and recorded.

 

Thank you for your interest in the Bloomington Police Department. If you need additional information or wish to report a difficulty associated with the hiring testing procedures, contact Captain Ryan Pedigo at recruits@bloomington.in.gov.

 

About the Police Department

The Bloomington Police Department is a full-service police agency, providing police protection to a city of approximately 85,000 residents and a land area of 20 square miles.  The Department is divided into an Operations and Administrative Division.  The Administrative Division consists of Records, Telecommunications, Police Social Workers and Training and is headed by the Captain of Administration.  The Administrative Division is also responsible for the hiring of new employees. The Operations Division consists of Uniform and Investigative Sections and is headed by the Operations Captain.  The Uniform Division contains the Patrol Division, Bike Patrol, Dive Team, Civil Disturbance Unit, Canine Unit, the Critical Incident Response Team and Community Service Specialists.  The Investigative Division consists of Detective and Special Investigations Units, two full-time evidence technicians and an Evidence Clerk.  The Bloomington Police Department currently employs 178 people (105 sworn officers and 73 non-sworn employees).

 

About Bloomington

Nestled in the rolling hills of South Central Indiana, Bloomington has long been known for its big city offerings while maintaining its quaint Midwestern charm.  Bloomington is a modern thriving city that has earned its reputation as a wonderful place to live.  Bloomington is home to Indiana University and its 49,000 students who bring their diverse experiences from all 50 states and A myriad of countries.  Bloomington offers a large variety of outdoor activities including, the state’s largest lake, Lake Monroe, and the state’s only national forest.  Bloomington has the charm of small town life, and at the same time offers many big city pleasures such as a world-class opera theater, touring Broadway shows, and Big Ten sporting events.  Bloomington has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Federation as a “Tree City USA” for many consecutive years.  Bloomington is home to Indiana University, which is considered the fifth most beautiful college campus by author Thomas Gaines, ranked as one of the top ten “most wired” colleges by Yahoo Internet Life, and was named one of the “Big 10 College Towns” by the New York Times.  Bloomington has also been rated the seventh best place to cycle in the United States by Bicycling Magazine, the sixth best place to settle down in the United States by Money Magazine, the seventh lowest stress city, according to Psychology Today, and the eighth best place in the nation to retire, according to Rand McNally’s Retirement Places.