Police Officer Jobs in Des Moines, IA
A Police Officer is a key role within the law enforcement industry that focuses on maintaining order and preventing crime. Their duties encompass a wide range of tasks including patrolling assigned areas, responding to emergency and non-emergency calls, enforcing local, state, and federal laws, conducting traffic stops, issuing citations, arresting suspects, and writing detailed reports. Additionally, they may be responsible for collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and testifying in court. They also play a crucial role in community relations, often engaging in outreach efforts to maintain positive relationships with the community they serve.
Before becoming a Police Officer, an individual could hold a number of different roles. Some may serve as Military Police in the Armed Forces, gaining valuable experience in law enforcement, security, and community relations. Others may work as Security Guards or Loss Prevention Officers, honing their skills in observation, conflict resolution, and report writing. Some individuals may come from a background in Social Work or Counseling, bringing valuable communication and problem-solving skills to the role. It's important for Police Officers to have strong physical fitness, communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and emotional resilience. They should also have specific certifications such as a high school diploma, a degree in criminal justice or a related field, and completion of a police academy program. Certain positions may require additional certifications or training in specialized areas, such as firearms, self-defense, first-aid, and CPR.
Use the links below for Police Officer Applicant Testing Resources: 2025 Police Officer Recruitment Packet Cooper Test Instructional Video Cooper Assessment Preparation Guide (physical fitness test)...
- West Des Moines, IA (12 miles from Des Moines, IA)
- 30+ days ago
- West Des Moines, IA (12 miles from Des Moines, IA)
- 30+ days ago
All applicants must meet the minimum standards for Iowa Law Enforcement Officers as established by legislation and the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy....
- West Des Moines, IA (12 miles from Des Moines, IA)
- 30+ days ago
- West Des Moines, IA (12 miles from Des Moines, IA)
- 30+ days ago
and non-certified applicants for full-time Police Officer positions....
- Ankeny, IA (8 miles from Des Moines, IA)
- 60+ days ago
- Ankeny, IA (8 miles from Des Moines, IA)
- 60+ days ago
To be eligible you must have graduated from high school or an equivalent, and be able to meet minimum standards for Iowa Law Enforcement officers as indicated by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy....
Demographic Data for Des Moines, IA
Moving to Des Moines, IA? Find some basic demographic data about Des Moines, IA below.
Police Officer Online Courses and Training Opportunities
Title Synonyms
Users interested in this job title also searched for the following job title
Salary for Police Officer Jobs in Des Moines, IA
Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Police Officer positions.
Highest Education Level
Police Officers in Des Moines, IA offer the following education backgroundQualifications / Skill Sets
The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Police Officer position
- Handcuffing
- Traffic Enforcement
- Criminal Investigations
- Firearms
- Community Policing
- Crime Prevention
- Public Safety
- Patrol
- Weapons
- Taser
- Background Investigations
- Defensive Tactics
- Special Weapons and Tactics
- Narcotics
- OC Spray
- Crowd Control
- Foot Patrol
- Law Enforcement
- Criminal Justice
- Physical Security
- Corrections
- Closed-Circuit Television
- Surveillance
- Emergency Management
- Report Writing
- Drug Testing
- Dispatching
- Inspections
- Complaint Resolution
- First Aid
- Closing
- Interviewing
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Background Checks
- Military Background
- Investigation
- High School Diploma
- Driving
- Telephone Skills
- Writing Skills
- Events
- Education Experience
- Documentation
- Filing
- Regulations
- Policy Development
- English
- Problem Solving
- Bilingual
- Staff Supervision
- Organization
- Customer Service
- Scheduling
- Leadership
- Communication Skills
Other Career Titles
Here are some other career titles that require similar skills
Police Officer Related Career Advice Articles
3 Police Officer Resume Problems and How to Solve Them
Short-term assignments, large amounts of specialized training, and lengthy lists of affiliations and community involvement can cause problems when writing a law enforcement resume. Here's how to solve those resume "crimes."
Read article »