LAKEWOOD DIVISION OF POLICE
12650 DETROIT AVE
LAKEWOOD, OHIO 44107
http://www.lakewoodoh.gov

Updated: May 19, 2025

Job Classification: Full-Time Police Officer

The City of Lakewood is currently establishing an eligibility list for full-time Police Officers. Qualified candidates earning a minimum score of 70% on the online written exam and meeting the minimum requirements for the position will be placed on the eligible list and notified of their placement.

The City of Lakewood hires police officers through the Civil Service Commission. The commission requires that all eligibility list hires go through a competitive testing process before being placed on a certified eligibility list. Applicants need only to complete the online examination to apply, no separate application through the City of Lakewood is required. All applicants are required to complete the exam, personal history questionnaire, and public safety self-assessment. A copy of a valid driver’s license, high school diploma or GED, and any documentation for additional credit must be uploaded at the time of application. Deadline to apply and complete the online examination through the National Testing Network and to upload documentation for extra credit is 4pm on May 14, 2025.

Candidates who previously completed a police entry exam on or after November 1, 2024 on the National Testing Network may use that score for possible placement on Lakewood’s eligibility list. Should a candidate choose to do this, they must contact Lakewood’s Civil Service Secretary directly prior to May 14, 2025 to arrange to have this score used, and they still must upload other required documents if they have not already done so.

The top 25 scoring candidates will be invited to participate in physical agility testing on May 31, 2025. Complete testing details, including location and reporting times, will be emailed to candidates the week prior to testing. Candidates will be required to successfully achieve at least the 30^th percentile of the Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research Standards in all three components (sit-ups, pushups, and 1.5 mile run), based on their age and gender. The standards are listed at the end of this posting. Inability to successfully complete testing will result in candidates being removed from the eligibility list.

Candidates who have graduated from an OPOTC approved police academy up to a year prior to May 14, 2025 are exempt from participating in physical agility testing. To be exempted from agility testing, candidates must upload a copy of their OPOTC certificate to the National Testing Network before the May 14, 2025 deadline.

Salary Information: 2025 Starting base salary is $76,170.92 including bonuses, plus benefits.

Benefit Information: The City of Lakewood offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, prescription, dental, vision, life insurance, and flexible spending account. Other benefits include paid vacation and personal days, sick leave, 18 paid holidays, paid parental leave, longevity pay, tuition reimbursement, firearms proficiency bonus pay, and uniform allowance.

Department Overview: The City of Lakewood Division of Police is comprised of 99 full time sworn officers, including the chief, three captains, four lieutenants and 10 sergeants. The remaining 81 officers serve as detectives, investigators, and patrol officers. There are a number of specialty assignments, including:

Patrol Investigator
Technology Investigator
Drone Operator SWAT Officer
Hostage Negotiator
K-9 Officer
Motorcycle Officer
Field Training Officer
Bomb Technician
Plain Clothes Detective
Narcotics Detective
DARE/School Resource Officer
Neighborhood/Community Police Officer

Area Information: The City of Lakewood is a diverse community located approximately 5 miles west of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Covering a 5.6 square mile area and boasting an estimated population of 50,942,^{^[1]} Lakewood is the most densely populated community in the Greater Cleveland area.

Job Requirements (eligibility list candidates)

Age: Must be 21 years of age at the time of hire.

US Citizen: Must be a US Citizen or have legally declared intent of becoming a US Citizen.

High School Grad/GED: Must be a High School graduate or show proof of GED equivalent.

Valid OHIO State Driver's License: Must have a valid State of Ohio Driver’s License with a good driving record (six or more violation points may be cause for disqualification) or the ability to obtain an Ohio Driver’s License by start of employment.

Ability to Read/Speak English: Yes

College: A college degree is not required. However, additional credit is given with proof of a bachelor’s degree (5% of your grade) OR an associate degree (2% of your grade).

Academy Certification: OPOTC certification is not required. Successfully hired candidates that are not

OPOTC certified will be sent to a Police Academy for training while earning first year’s salary. Full police academy tuition reimbursement is available for applicants who have graduated from an academy up to 12 months before hire.

Hiring Process: To be eligible for appointment, an applicant must meet all qualifications and have successfully completed required testing (written, physical agility, polygraph, and background investigation).

Following an offer of employment, applicants will be required to successfully complete comprehensive psychological and medical examinations, including a drug screen.

Additional Credits: The City offers additional credit for active service in the United States Military with an honorable discharge. A maximum of five points will be granted for past military service; a copy of Form DD214 is required to receive the credit. With proof of residency, six credit points will be awarded to candidates residing in the City of Lakewood for a minimum of 12 months preceding the exam. If you are a Lakewood resident and qualify for this credit, please print and complete the Resident Credit Form and submit it to the Lakewood Civil Service Commission. Additionally, you will receive a one-point employment credit if you are a full-time employee of the City of Lakewood, a part time patrol officer with the Lakewood Division of Police, a

member of the Lakewood Auxiliary Police, or any combination thereof for the 12 months preceding the exam.

Applicants must pass the written exam with a combined minimum score of 70% to have any additional credit applied to their score.

Disqualifiers: Past criminal acts or traffic convictions may result in disqualification from the eligible list.

Penalty for False Statement: The statements provided by a candidate in applications, addendums, resumes, interviews, or other submissions shall contain no falsifications, omissions, or concealments of material facts. Should investigation disclose willful misstatements, falsifications, or concealments with respect to statements made during the application process, the Commission may choose, at its discretion, to do the following:

• Disqualify the applicant from the examination.

• Remove the applicant’s name from the eligible list if the candidate has already taken the exam.

• Dismiss an employee if the individual has already been hired.

Any person intentionally proffering false statements on an application or otherwise during the hiring process may be prohibited from applying for employment with the City of Lakewood.

The City of Lakewood is an Equal Opportunity Employer and follows all federal guidelines regarding fair and impartial hiring practices. We welcome the opportunity to recruit and select a diverse workforce.

Please see the following page for physical agility testing standards.

Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research Standards

30% of standard or better required for entry into Academy. 50% or better to pass Academy.

[1] 2021 United States Census

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