Lateral Police Officer
Lateral Opportunities
If you're an experienced law enforcement officer looking to continue your career with the Phoenix Police Department, our lateral officer recruitment process welcomes your experience. Whether you're an in-state lateral seeking to transfer to our department or out-of-state considering a move to Phoenix, we have specific requirements and application steps tailored to you.
In-State Lateral Requirements
- In-State Laterals must be AZPOST-certified.
- In-State Laterals who graduated from an Arizona POST law enforcement academy must have more than 36 months (three years) of experience.
In-State Lateral Application Steps
1. Submit your City of Phoenix Application
Visit the City of Phoenix Website
Search for “Police Lateral”
Ensure you meet our minimum requirements.
Complete the online application and submit it.
Record your application identification number (screenshot/write it down) for your records.
2. AZPOST Personal History Form
Complete an AZPOST Personal History Form at my.azpost.gov and share it with the Phoenix Police Department. Record your AZPOST ID Number.
For more information on AZPOST standards and the waiver process, please visit AZPOST waiver process website.
3. eSOPH Background Packet
You will receive a link to the background packet questionnaire. Once your completed background packet has been submitted and reviewed, you will be contacted by a background investigator within 2-3 weeks. Please ensure to check your spam folder.
Only the highest qualified applicants will be contacted and invited for an interview.
In-State Lateral Additional Information
- Applicants who are hired for a lateral police officer position must meet/pass the following components during advanced training:
- Firearms Qualification
- Tactical Driving Qualification
- AZPOST comprehensive final examination. Study material will be provided
- Once probation has been completed as a Phoenix Police Officer, lateral and prior service certified police officers may use 50% of other police agency time to meet the three-year requirement to transfer into a specialty unit.
EXAMPLE: If you have four years with another police agency, 50% of your four years will count as two, plus your probationary year as a Phoenix Police Officer will equal the 3-year minimum requirement to transfer into a specialty unit.
- In-State Laterals are NOT required to take the POPAT (Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test) as a part of the hiring process.
- Upon hire, Lateral Police Officer's do not have to complete a 26-week academy. Lateral police officers will attend department training at the Phoenix Police Academy until all certifications and training needs are met.
- For additional information, please email our recruiters at [email protected] or call them at 602-534-2677.
