Patrol Officer - Lateral

Patrol Officer - Lateral Salary $81,598.40 - $110,198.40 Annually

Location: Kettering Government Center, OH Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 202600027 Department: POLICE Opening Date: February 24, 2026 Closing Date: April 6, 2026 5:00 PM Eastern

Job Description

The City of Kettering is accepting submissions for Full-Time Lateral Patrol Officer Salary & Benefits2026 Minimum Annual: $81,5982026 Maximum with Bachelor Degree: $110,198

Benefits

Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision Plans Accrued Vacation, Sick and Compensatory Time (Refillable 240 Hours Comp Max) 11 Paid Holidays & 40 Hours Paid Personal Leave per year 10-Hour Patrol Shifts Paid Ohio equivalency training (if necessary) and Tuition Reimbursement Paid Overtime per Court Appearance (4 Hours Paid Minimum) Ohio Police and Fire Pension Plan Ohio Deferred Compensation Plans Employee Wellness Program w/ Access to City of Kettering Recreation Facilities All Equipment and Uniforms Provided Upon Hire Annual Paid Uniform Allowance and Shift Differential Relaxed Beard and Tattoo Policy Professional Development Special Response Team (SWAT) Criminal Investigations (Detective) Unit Vice, Narcotics & Organized Crime Unit K-9 Unit Bike Patrol and Motorcycle Unit Accident Investigation/Reconstruction Team (AIT) Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team (HNT) Evidence Technician Unit Field Training Officer Unit School Resource/Community Relations Unit (SRO) Personnel and Training Officer Public Information Officer Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Drone Program

Selection Process

The Patrol Officer hiring process consists of the following:

• Submit Online Application
• Oral Board Interview
• Polygraph and Background Investigation
• Executive Staff (Chief's) Interview
• Conditional Offer of Employment
• Post-Conditional Polygraph, Psychological Evaluation, Physical/Drug/Alcohol Screen (to include Marijuana)
• Final Offer of Employment

Minimum Qualifications

At time of appointment, candidates must have:

• A high school diploma or its equivalent; and successfully completed at least two years of continuous service as a full-time commissioned police officer and possess a current Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (O.P.O.T.C.) peace officer certificate or equivalent peace officer certification in candidate's current state of residency within the past 3 years, at time of appointment
• Obtained credit hours equivalent to an Associate Degree (60 semester hours/90 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university AND must have successfully completed at least one year of continuous service as a full-time commissioned police officer and possess a current Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (O.P.O.T.C.) peace officer certificate or equivalent peace officer certification in candidate's current state of residency within the past 3 years, at time of appointment
• Two years of active military service or equivalent years of service in the Reserves or National Guard (active duty or reserves) with a satisfactory service record or honorable discharge AND must have successfully completed at least one year of continuous service as a full-time commissioned police officer and possess a current Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (O.P.O.T.C.) peace officer certificate or equivalent peace officer certification in candidate's current state of residency within the past 3 years, at time of appointment

Physical Condition

Must be physically capable of performing essential police duties and pass a thorough medical examination, where applicable, candidate must meet Academy minimum physical fitness entrance standards as required by Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (O.P.O.T.C.); and a drug/alcohol screen.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age and eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment
• Must have demonstrated moral integrity and the ability to conduct oneself in a manner above reproach, legally and morally
• Must have the ability to evaluate information, analyze situations and exercise sound judgment
• Must obtain a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State of Ohio within 60 days of appointment
• Must successfully complete the Police training course chosen by the City which meets or exceeds the standards prescribed by law
• Must successfully complete a one-year probation period prior to permanent appointment

Employee Benefits Highlights - Patrol Officer

Effective January 2026

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Plans
• Accrued Vacation, Sick, and Compensatory Time
• 11 Paid Holidays and 40 Hours Paid Personal Leave per year
• 10-Hour Patrol Shifts
• Paid Ohio equivalency training (if necessary) and Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Overtime per Court Appearance (4 Hours Paid Minimum)
• Ohio Police and Fire Pension Plan
• Ohio Deferred Compensation Plans
• Employee Wellness Program w/ Access to City of Kettering Recreation Facilities
• All Equipment and Uniforms Provided Upon Hire
• Annual Paid Uniform Allowance and Shift Differential
• Relaxed Beard and Tattoo Policy
• Professional Development
• Special Response Team (SWAT)
• Criminal Investigations (Detective) Unit
• Vice, Narcotics & Organized Crime Unit
• K-9 Unit
• Bike Patrol and Motorcycle Unit
• Accident Investigation/Reconstruction Team (AIT)
• Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team (HNT)
• Evidence Technician Unit
• Field Training Officer Unit
• School Resource/Community Relations Unit (SRO)
• Personnel and Training Officer
• Public Information Officer
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
• Drone Program

Educational Requirements

• Completion of credit hours equivalent to an Associate's Degree (60 semester hours/90 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university
• Must possess a current Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (O.P.O.T.C.) peace officer certificate or equivalent peace officer certification in candidate's current state of residency
• Two years of active military service or equivalent years of service in the Reserves or National Guard (active duty or reserves) with a satisfactory service record or honorable discharge

Employee Benefits Highlights - Medical Insurance

• The City partners with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) to provide high-quality medical coverage for you and your family
• Eligible dependents include your legal spouse and children under age 26
• Eligible full-time employees-both organized and non-organized-may choose between the Platinum Plan and the Silver Plan
• A summary comparison is outlined below

Employee Benefits Highlights - Dental Insurance

• The City partners with Superior Dental Care to provide dental coverage for employees and eligible dependents (legal spouse and children under age 26)
• Superior Dental Care offers the same level of coverage for both in-network and out-of-network providers
• However, out-of-network providers may balance bill, while in-network providers may not
• To minimize out-of-pocket costs, employees are encouraged to use in-network providers
• A list of in-network dentists is available at www.superiordental.com

Employee Benefits Highlights - Vision Insurance

• The City partners with UHC Vision to offer vision coverage to employees and eligible dependents (legal spouse and children under age 26)
• UHC Vision provides access to a broad network of retail and independent providers, including LensCrafters, Costco Optical, Sam's Club, and Target Optical
• Providers in the network can be found at www.myuhcvision.com
• While there is no City contribution toward vision premiums, coverage is offered at a competitive group rate

Employee Benefits Highlights - Life Insurance

• The City provides Basic Term Life Insurance, administered by The Hartford, to all full-time employees at no cost
• Coverage equals one times your annual base salary, plus an equal amount of Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
• Employees may purchase additional voluntary life insurance for themselves, their legal spouse, and eligible children
• Employee Coverage: Available in $10,000 increments, guaranteed issue up to $400,000
• Spouse and Child Coverage: Spouse: $10,000 increments, guaranteed issue up to $50,000; Child: $2,000 or $10,000 (from live birth up to age 26)

Employee Benefits Highlights - Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Dependent Care FSA: Pre-tax reimbursement for dependent care expenses (child under age 13; or for a physically or mentally disabled dependent that lives with you at least eight hours per day)
• Maximum annual contribution: $7,500
• Health Care FSA: Pre-tax reimburses eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses
• Limited Purpose FSA applies for HSA participants and will reimburse for dental, vision, and post-deductible medical expenses only
• Maximum annual contribution: $3,300

Employee Benefits Highlights - Retirement Plan

• In lieu of Social Security contributions, Patrol Officers make contributions to the Ohio Patrol and Fire Pension Fund (OP&F)
• Employee contribution: 12.25% of gross salary
• City contribution: 19.5% of gross salary
• In addition, employees may voluntarily contribute to a Deferred Compensation Plan through MissionSquare or Ohio Deferred Compensation
• These plans allow employees to save additional funds for retirement through pre-tax payroll deductions

Employee Benefits Highlights - Leave Benefits

• Holidays: Full-time employees receive regular compensation for the following 11 holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday in January), Presidents' Day (3rd Monday in February), Memorial Day (Last Monday in May), Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day (1st Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Day After Thanksgiving
• Vacation Leave: Vacation leave accrues based on length of service: Length of Service Days per Year Up to 5 years 10 Over 5 and up to 10 years 14 Over 10 and up to 15 years 18 Over