Missouri Police Academy Requirements

Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. The Missouri police academy requirements are intended to set a high standard for potential officers. Below are all the requirements and disqualifying factors. Be aware that there is a lot of competition for police jobs so going above the minimum requirements is advised. Missouri police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:

Age Requirement

Missouri police academy age requirements state that applicants must be a minimum of 21 years of age. Applicants may complete an application and proceed in the joining the academy at 20 years of age if they will be 21 the completion of the academy.

Residency and Citizenship Requirement

Applicants must be a resident of Missouri and possess a valid Missouri driver’s license upon appointment as a State Police Cadet.  Applicants must be a United States citizen at the time of initial application.

Educational Requirement

Missouri Police Academy requirements for education state that the applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application.  Correspondence or mail-order high school diplomas are not accepted.

Applicant will be required to take a written/oral examination, psychological test, as well as a polygraph examination.

Automatic Disqualification Factors

Applicants are advised that the Missouri 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 Missouri State Police.
• Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the Missouri State Police.

The core purpose of the Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Missouri 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 Readiness Test

• Run 1.5 Miles: Must run 29 laps on an indoor track within the maximum time allowed
• Sit-ups: Must be completed within one minute – proper form
• Push-ups: Must be completed within one minute – proper form

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NOTE:

The eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.