Detention Officers:
Secure Your Career

Become a Detention Officer
with PHX PD

Detention Officers perform a variety of tasks involved with booking, maintaining custody, transporting and releasing of prisoners. As well as respond across the city to help support crime suppression projects.

Please note that positions are only posted when vacancies are available. Please check back for openings and follow our social media @JOINPHXPD for updates.

Minimum Requirements

Upon hire, successful completion of the MCSO or PHX PD Detention Officer academy or requisite experience (previous experience may exempt a candidate from this requirement)
Equivalent to a high school diploma or G.E.D.
Other combinations of experience and education meeting the minimum requirements may be substituted
Work nights, weekends and holidays
Some positions require the use of City vehicles. Individuals must be physically capable of operating a motor vehicle safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record
Work in stressful situations with potentially harmful consequences

Carry a firearm and maintain firearms proficiency throughout your career
Perform physical tasks, including bending, reaching, kneeling and crouching
Stand and sit for extended periods
Handle objects weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally objects will be 100 pounds or greater
Perform duties in various environmental conditions including heat, cold, rain, air pollution and dust
Detention Officers must respond swiftly and effectively to physical confrontations and emergencies, potentially using legal force to restrain violent or combative prisoners

Preferred Qualifications

Our hiring process is designed to identify individuals committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and service. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Apply

Visit the City of Phoenix jobs website and search “Detention Officer Trainee”

Complete the required information and attach, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

If eligible for the position you will be contacted via email to move on to the next step of the hiring process. Be sure to check your junk mail folder as well.

The City job description can be found here.

2. Job Interview

Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.

3. Background Process

Successful applicants will be notified via email when they are to begin the background process with the Phoenix Police Department Employment Services Bureau.

Please consider the following disqualifiers before applying for the position:

Felonies: Conviction of a felony
Misdemeanors: Conviction of a job-related misdemeanor within the last three years
Drug Use: Illegal marijuana use occurring within the last 12 months
Other Illegal drug use occurring within the last five years
Financial: Job-related negative financial history occurring within the last five years
Driving: Job-related negative driving history occurring within the last five years
This is not an all-inclusive list. Other factors (poor driving record, immoral conduct, criminal activity, dishonesty, etc.) will also be assessed and may lead to disqualification. Individuals should consider all of these factors when applying. Exceptions may apply and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis

4. Polygraph Examination

You will be required to complete a polygraph examination administered by the Phoenix Police Department.

5. Controlled Substance Screening

Applicants will be required to submit to a urinalysis at some point in the hiring process.

Please note: If you do not meet the Job Requirements for Detention Officer and are interested in this career field, you may apply for “Detention Officer Trainee”. Please see Job ID 51953 to apply.

Competitive Salary

Pay and Hiring Range:

$26.18-$35.08 hourly

after graduation

Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification
Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses and or training
Laterals applicants can negotiate pay based on experience

Benefits

A comprehensive benefits package includes:

Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
Choice of medical HMO, PPO or HSA/HDHP plans
Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to Post-Employment Health Plan
Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
Dental, vision and life insurance options

Employer paid long-term disability
Free bus/light rail pass
Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days and 15 sick days and personal leave days
Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child during 12 months

For more information on benefits visit: Unit 003 Benefits

Menu

Detention Officers:
Secure Your Career

Become a Detention Officer
with PHX PD

Minimum Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

1. Apply

2. Job Interview

3. Background Process

Please consider the following disqualifiers before applying for the position:

4. Polygraph Examination

5. Controlled Substance Screening

Competitive Salary

Pay and Hiring Range:

$26.18-$35.08 hourly

after graduation

Benefits

About Phoenix

Accommodation

About Phoenix

Accommodation

Detention Officers:Secure Your Career

Become a Detention Officer with PHX PD

Minimum Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

About Phoenix

Accommodation

About Phoenix

Accommodation

Detention Officers:
Secure Your Career

Become a Detention Officer
with PHX PD