Join SJPD

To Become A Police Officer

When looking for excellence in law enforcement services, start with the St. Joseph Police Department. We offer competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.

  • Competitive Salary
  • Opportunities to test for advancement
  • Opportunities to test for specialized positions
  • Paid health, dental, and life insurance
  • Paid vacation (increases with time)
  • Paid sick leave
  • Twelve paid holidays
  • Uniform allowance
  • 2 Deferred Compensations Plans
  • LAGERS retirement

Summary of Benefits (PDF)

How To Apply

If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources Department at 271-4670

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The Human Resources Department tests periodically throughout the year and establishes an eligibility-hiring list based on final results achieved by individuals whom apply.

Missouri Blue Scholarship

The Missouri Blue Scholarship is a law enforcement basic training academy scholarship that makes $5,000 available for each selected non-sponsored* law enforcement academy recruit to help cover the cost of attending a Missouri basic training academy. The law enforcement academy recruit must apply for the scholarship before enrolling in an academy (or before graduation if scholarship funds are still available).


*A non-sponsored law enforcement academy recruit is one whose tuition is not being paid by a law enforcement agency. Recruits who attend an academy affiliated with a law enforcement agency and do not pay tuition are not eligible for this scholarship.


Governor Mike Parson included, and the Missouri General Assembly, approved a total of $1 million in Missouri Blue Scholarship funding in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget.


The $5,000 scholarship is paid directly to the law enforcement academy.
  • Missouri Blue Scholarships are awarded first come, first served.
  • Must be a Missouri resident.
  • Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Must be 21 or older on date recruit takes the Missouri POST license examination.
  • Missouri Blue Scholarship recipients'  training academy class must begin by June 1, 2023.