Selection Process

The City of Beatrice adheres to the Civil Service Act set forth in Neb.Rev.Stat. §19-1825 to 19-1848 as amended, when selecting our full-time police officers. The Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations for the City of Beatrice are available for review below. The steps below walk applicants through the hiring process for an entry-level position.

Physical Assessment Testing

The Nebraska Law Enforce Training Center (NLETC) requires all candidates to complete a Physical Assessment Test. According to the NLETC to successfully complete the NLETC Physical Assessment Test, you must score an overall average of 30% on all testing completed which is based on gender and age norms. The student is NOT required to score 30% on EACH individual test so long as your entire average score on the fitness test is at least 30%. This test is scored based upon age and gender, so the percentages will vary for each applicant based upon those factors. Below is a table with the 30% standard only:

	Men 30% Standards				Women 30% Standards
	20-29 yrs	30-39 yrs	40-49 yrs	50-59 yrs	20-29 yrs	30-39 yrs	40-49 yrs	50-59 yrs
Vertical Jump	18"	18"	14.5"	13"	13.5"	11.1"	9"	N/A
1 Minute Push-ups	26	20	15	10	13	9	7	N/A
300 Meter Sprint	62 sec	63 sec	77 sec	87 sec	75 sec	82 sec	106 sec	N/A
1 Minute Sit-ups	35	32	27	21	30	22	17	12
1.5 Mile Run	13:16	13:46	14:34	15:58	15:52	16:39	17:22	18:59

The Beatrice Police Department holds this same Physical Assessment Test with the same standards as part of the overall hiring process. Each applicant should come to the Physical Assessment Test dressed in appropriate workout style clothing. The applicant will get a 15-minute window to stretch and warm up prior to testing. We will do the 1.5 mile run first and give each applicant the same amount of break prior to running the 300-meter run in the end. We want each applicant to strive to achieve the best possible score they can so we have included the 100% scoring table also:

	Men 100% Standards				Women 100% Standards
	20-29 yrs	30-39 yrs	40-49 yrs	50-59 yrs	20-29 yrs	30-39 yrs	40-49 yrs	50-59 yrs
Vertical Jump	30.3"	28.4"	25.1"	22"	19"	18"	13.5"	N/A
1 Minute Push-ups	100	86	64	51	53	48	23	N/A
300 Meter Sprint	42.6 sec	42 sec	47 sec	52 sec	54 sec	55 sec	65 sec	N/A
1 Minute Sit-ups	>55	>51	>47	>43	>51	>42	>38	>30
1.5 Mile Run	8:22	8:49	9:02	9:31	9:23	9:52	10:09	11:34

Written Exam

A standard entry-level civil service law enforcement test will be given to all applicants. The tests are designed for entry-level police officer requiring no prior law enforcement experience.

Oral Panel Interview

The top 10 applicants scoring on the written exam will be invited to participate in an oral interview. The interview panel will consist of our 3 Civil Service Commission members. The Chief of Police and Civil Service Secretary will also be present.

Eligibility List

The Civil Service Commission will establish an eligibility list, showing the names of all successful applicants in the rank order of their general average score. This score can be a composite of written examination score and any other physical fitness, manual skills, and/or oral interview. This list will expire twelve (12) months from the date it was established, or upon exhaustion of all names on the list.

Certification

The Civil Service Commission will certify the top 3 highest applicants on the eligibility list. The Police Department will then conduct background checks, conduct a series of interviews with Department personnel, and complete an interview with the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police will then make his recommendation to the City Administrator, who makes the appointment. The selected candidate will be given a conditional offer of employment, after which a series of medical tests, drug tests, psychological and polygraph tests will be administered.

Benefits of Being a Sworn Police Officer

Retirement Contribution
Group Health Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
Being Part of a Team
Protecting and Serving the Citizens of Beatrice