Kansas Police Academy Requirements

Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. Many requirements vary from state to state, however, certain standards, such as being a citizen of the United States, are required across the board. Kansas police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:

Age Requirement

Kansas police academy age requirements state that a Kansas State Trooper Recruit must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment. There is no upper age limit. Note: The on-line application asks if you are at least 21 years of age, or will be 21 within six months.

Residency and Citizenship Requirement

Applicants are required to be residing in the State of Kansas with a valid Kansas driver’s license. Applicants must be a United States citizen at the time of initial application.

Educational Requirement

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application.  While the Kansas police academy requirements do not include a college degree, two years of secondary education is beneficial and recommended.

Applicant will be required to take a written/oral examination, psychological test, as well as a polygraph examination. Kansas police academy’s may require the passing of the National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) developed by Stanard & Associates.  The test is designed to measure four primary cognitive skills critical to successfully learning and performing the job of a police officer.  The test has four timed sections that cover mathematics, reading comprehension, grammar, and incident report writing.

Automatic Disqualification Factors

Applicants are advised that the Kansas State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed below.  In addition, the following information is provided regarding our criteria for automatic disqualification:

• Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information during the completion of the Polygraph Screening Booklet, the Polygraph Examination, the Formal Application for Employment, and any other documents/processes associated with the Cadet Selection Procedures.
• Substance abuse/use within a prescribed time frame and/or that is beyond what is considered experimental by the Kansas State Police.
• Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the Kansas State Police.

The core purpose of the Kansas State Police is to seek justice, preserve peace, and improve the quality of life for all.  As such, the Department has established the core values of Honor, Service, Integrity, Respect, Trust, Courage, and Duty, and is seeking applicants who possess these traits and conduct themselves accordingly.  Certain issues within a person’s background have been identified which will result in automatic disqualification, including but not limited to:  criminal conduct (actual arrest and/or admission of behavior whether or not arrested) and substance abuse.

A preliminary determination will be made by the Kansas State Police based upon information supplied; therefore, applicants must be forthright and honest in documenting their conduct.  Be advised that this preliminary determination is not binding as it is made based upon information provided by the applicant only.  Should an applicant continue in the selection process, the conduct will then be discussed and documented with a Kansas State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Kansas State Police is to contain no misrepresentation, falsification, omissions, or concealment of material fact and that, upon submission of any official document (on-line or otherwise), applicants swear or affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.  Applicants are further advised that all information provided is subject to later investigation.

Physical Agility Test

1. Running a predetermined distance out of a patrol car while facing a terrain change.
2. Run under two 5 foot low obstacles.
3. Run to and climb over a 4 foot 6 inch fence.
4. Stair climb 5 steps to a platform and then go down 5 steps repetitively.
5. Run to and drag a 150 pound dummy 15 feet.

Candidates must complete all of the above listed events within the accepted standardized time of one minute and twelve seconds in order to pass the course.

NOTE:  The eligibility requirements vary slightly in each academy and are subject to change at any time.

Kansas City Police Department Physical Agility Test