Mesa Police Department Human Resources Section
Out-Of-State Lateral

Do you love working in Law Enforcement but would prefer to perform your duties in a warmer climate?  Would you like to relocate to an area that is close to many diverse activities such as winter sports, California or Mexico beaches or even the thrill of Las Vegas? All within a 1/2 day drive?  You need to check out our Lateral Program just for out of state officers!!

Arizona Climate
January  66/41
April   84/55
July  105/80
October  88/61

Please be advised, we are not currently accepting Out-Of-State Lateral applications due to a temporary hiring freeze. Please keep checking this site for any updates or changes.

After probation, lateral officers may use 50% of their police agency time towards the three year patrol requirement. This will allow you to apply for specialty assignments right away!!

Minimum Qualification(s) Required - Police Officer - Lateral Out-of-State:

Arizona P.O.S.T. Two-part Waiver Process:

Person's who have at least two years of experience as a peace officer in another state or for a federal law enforcement agency during the past three years.  Of this time, one year must be spent in patrol, not including training or administrative assignments. 

Arizona P.O.S.T. Seven-part Waiver Process:

Same qualifications as above, with the addition of no more than a two-year break between employment as a peace officer and the submission of your application with our department.  There is no age limit to qualify for the lateral police officer position.

Process:

1. Call Det. Shane Anderson for a prescreening interview at (480) 644-4869.

2. Acceptable candidates after the prescreening interview will need to complete an application, and a background questionnaire.  These will need to be submitted with a resume and their last two performance evaluations to the Police Department.

3. Testing process will include a physical assessment test, oral board interview, background interview, polygraph examination, written communication skills test (250 words and 40 minutes), and background investigation.  If candidate is given a conditional offer of hire then a psychological exam and medical exam must be completed.

4. Once hired, applicant will become a City of Mesa Employee and spend about 1 month studying for the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZ P.O.S.T.) waiver tests to become certified.  During that month the applicant will be meeting other criteria such as the P.O.S.T. driving course, firearms course, and physical fitness obstacle course.

5. Once applicant has successfully passed the waiver exams and become certified, they will complete a Department Lateral Academy for 3 weeks.  This academy is to familiarize themselves with forms, computer systems, radio system, etc.  They will then be placed into the Field Training Program where they progress at their own individual time frame.

Step 46/2 $49,836.80 until AZ P.O.S.T. certified $23.96 per hour

Step 48/3 $57,928.00 with two years experience upon certification $27.85 per hour

Step 48/4 $60,964.80  3-4 years experience  $29.31 per hour

Step 48/5 $64,043.20 with 4 or more years experience  $30.79 per hour

Lateral applicants applying with 4 or more years of service will earn $67,371.20 after the first twelve months of service with the Mesa PD and reach top out pay of $70,803.20 annually after two years service!!

**Application packet may be obtained from Detective Anderson after prescreening interview.  Contact Detective Anderson at 480-644-4869 for details.

For questions regarding the hiring or testing process, contact police.jobs@Mesaaz.gov