Mission Statement
We believe in partnering with our community to prevent and reduce crime and to ensure procedural justice by building trust, showing respect, and preserving human rights.


Mesa Citizens
Working in partnership with our community to:

• Identify and address public safety and quality of living issues.
• Provide a diverse workforce representative of the community.
• Protect individual human rights.

Employees

• Hire, train, and develop the best workforce while emphasizing employee wellness.
• Utilize teamwork and collaboration to achieve success.
• Empower our members to solve problems through individual initiative reflecting accountability and urgency.

Striving for Excellence

• Provide responsive leadership and excellent service to our community.
• Commit ourselves to continuous process improvement.
• Utilize innovative technology and ideas to enhance the quality of police service.

Accountability

• Professionally, ethically, and fairly upholding our sworn duties.
• Provide courteous and respectful interactions.
• Maintain the highest level of integrity.

City of Mesa
Mesa is a city within Maricopa County in the state of Arizona. It is a suburb located 20 miles east of Phoenix. Mesa is the 37th largest city in the United States by population and the third largest in Arizona. The Mesa Police Department consists of a diverse group of professionals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. From our Police Officers to our Professional Staff positions, we offer rewarding career paths that ensure public safety and community engagement. According to Money Magazine, December 2018 Issue, Mesa was ranked #4 on the Best Big Cities to Live In list.

Transparency
With a commitment to fostering a culture of transparency within the organization, the Mesa Police Department is providing an easily accessible portal open to the public. Visit our Transparency in Policing page.


Quick Facts
The Mesa Police Department is a major city police department. As of October 2022:

• Over 1,300 employees work for the Mesa Police Department.
  • 832 employees are sworn.
  • 532 employees are professional staff.
• There are four patrol divisions – Fiesta, Central, Red Mountain, and Superstition.
• See City of Mesa demographics.

Our Facility
The Mesa Police Department has a 45-acre state of the art public training facility which includes a 14-acre asphalt driving track, 11 separate classrooms, and a 364-seat auditorium. A firearm range that encompasses 16 acres and includes an on-site armory, a live fire house, a 200-meter rifle range, a 25-station automated turning target qualification range, two additional ranges, and the M.I.L.O. automated firearms system.

• Must Be a US Citizen
• 21 Years of Age by Academy Graduation
• High School Diploma, GED
• No Felony Convictions or Offenses That Would Be a Felony If Committed in Arizona
• No Dishonorable Military Discharge
• No Marijuana/Edibles/Concentrates in the Past 2 Years
• No Dangerous Drugs in the Past 7 Years (no more than five 5 times total)
• No DUI Within the Last 3 Years
• Arizona Class D Driver’s License by Hire Date
• No Poor Pattern of Driving (multiple tickets, suspensions)
• Great Communication Skills
• Excellent Character

We are proud to offer members of the Mesa Police Department a generous benefits package to complement the benefits they receive as City of Mesa employees. Benefits are extended to both sworn officers and professional staff.

Mesa PD offers medical benefits for life post retirement. Having this benefit is equivalent to over $400,000 (savings for health insurance related costs assuming a 30-year period after retirement). We are the only Arizona based agency to offer this unique benefit.

Click here to see more benefits for our staff.

In addition to the benefits offered by the Mesa Police Department, our police officers and professional staff receive benefits from the City of Mesa. Visit the City of Mesa website to learn more.

Currently the average time from application submission to conditional job offer is approximately 30-60 days. The more thorough your application is, the faster we can get you through the process.

☑ 1. Apply

Visit the Mesa Police Department Recruiting website (joinmesapd.com) to apply for Police Officer Recruit.

☑ 2. Complete AZ Post

Complete AZ Post Personal History Form on the AZ Post site, or my.azpost.gov. Select the option to share this document with the Mesa Police Department and save your AZ Post Form ID Number for future reference. Directions to complete this step will be emailed to the applicant after step 1.

☑ 3. Take the Written Test

Once you apply, the City of Mesa Human Resource Department will provide you with instructions on taking the written test from NTN (National Testing Network). If you fail the written test, you can retest in 90 days.

☑ 4. ATTEND MESA (Mentoring Every Successful Applicant) DAY (3 hours)

At MESA day an applicant will spend 3 hours with us and have the opportunity to complete the POPAT course and either pass it or acquire skills and techniques to pass it within the next 9 months. MESA day also allows applicants to discuss strategies and tips on being successful on the eSOPH stage of the application.

POPAT COURSE

The Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test course contains the following five events:

• 500-yard run
• Scaling a 6’ chain link fence followed by a 25-yard sprint
• Scaling a 6’ solid wood fence followed by a 25-yard sprint
• 99-yard obstacle course
• 165 lb. “dummy” drag

Click here for instructions on POPAT (Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test).  You will receive an invitation to start the background once you have attended a MESA event (See available dates here). The background will be finalized once you have a passing score for POPAT. You have 9 months to pass POPAT before your background file expires.

☑ 5. Complete eSOPH Profile

Once you pass the written test and attend a MESA event, the Mesa Police Department Hiring Unit will send you an email invitation to start your background process using eSOPH (electronic statement of personal history). You have 30 days to fill out all questionnaires thoroughly and have the waiver notarized. Once you complete eSOPH, your file will be assigned to an investigator. 

☑ 6. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

When you meet standards, your investigator will contact you to set up your background interview. Please wear professional business attire. After the interview, you’ll complete a 20-minute typewritten assessment.

☑ 7. Polygraph

After you complete the background interview, you may be scheduled for a polygraph exam. This exam will take approximately 2 hours. Business casual dress is acceptable.

☑ 8. Sergeant’s Interview

After approval by the Hiring Review Board, you are on the eligibility list for up to one year. You may be contacted for a Sergeant’s interview. Wear professional business attire.

☑ 9. Conditional Offer

After you receive a conditional offer, you’ll be scheduled for both a medical and psychological evaluation. Upon successful completion of the evaluations, your position in the academy will be finalized.

Medical Exam

Candidate must undergo a complete medical examination that meets the standards of AZPOST. Minimum vision requirement for a Police Officer Recruit is 20/20 corrected or 20/200 uncorrected.

Psychological Exam

If candidate is given a conditional offer of hire, then a psychological assessment must be completed. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the candidate’s overall psychological fitness to function as a sworn officer. There are three components involved in the evaluation process: a clinical interview, the administration of psychological tests, and a review of the individual’s background.

☑ 10. Pre-Academy

A week before you start the academy, you will attend a pre-academy orientation where you will attend a security briefing, select benefits, obtain your PD ID card, and complete a full fitness assessment.

☑ 11. Start the Academy!

The Mesa Police Department holds three academy classes per year: January, May, and September. Each academy is 26 weeks.

Click here to download or print the Police Officer Recruit Hiring Process.

How long does the hiring process take?

Currently the average time from successful completion of written exam to conditional job offer is approximately 30 to 60 days. The more thorough your application is and the more responsive you are to the background investigator’s requests, the faster we can get you through the process.

How long is the academy? 

The academy is currently 26 weeks long.

As a lateral officer do I need to attend the police academy? 

No. Once hired, applicant will attend a (minimum) 8-week Lateral Officer Program. During the program the applicant will be familiarized with the polices and procedures of the Mesa Police Department. The applicant will then enter the Field Training Program where they progress at their own individual time frame.
Out of state laterals will also need to successfully complete the AZ Post required proficiency skills (Tactical Driving, Firearms and POPAT) and the AZPOST Waiver Exam with a minimum score of 70%.

Are you paid as a Police Officer Recruit while attending the police academy?

Yes. While attending the Mesa Police academy you receive a bi-monthly salary and health benefits.

Does Mesa Police Department have their own training facility?

Yes. The Mesa Police Department utilizes their own training facility located at 3260 North 40th Street in Mesa. We currently hold January, May and September police academies.

Do you currently have a policy regarding tattoos for police officers?

Yes, members are permitted to have tattoos with the following exceptions:
1. Tattoos or brandings are not permitted on the head, face, or neck.
2. Tattoos or brandings must not be visible above a standard shirt collar.
3. Any tattoos that are offensive, discriminatory, or can demean or degrade the image of the MPD are prohibited.

What are the policies regarding facial hair for male police officers?

Currently, conservative styled moustaches and beards are allowed.

How many employees does the Mesa Police Department have?

Year-to-date staffing trends can be viewed here.

What are the City of Mesa demographics?

Demographics for the City of Mesa can be found here.

Where is the police department located?

• The headquarters building is located at 130 North Robson. There are four district substations throughout the city:
  • Central – 120 North Robson
  • Fiesta – 1010 W. Grove Avenue
  • Red Mountain – 4333 East University Drive
  • Superstition – 2430 South Ellsworth Road

What are officers’ work schedules?

Officers work four, ten-hour days in a row with 3 days off. Your days off are consecutive, not broken up.

When am I eligible to go to a specialty unit?

Each specialty unit has different requirements, but most allow you to test after 2.5 years as a patrol officer.

Do I have to live in Mesa or can I live in another city?

You can live anywhere you choose, but you must have the ability to respond to work in a reasonable amount of time if called. We have officers that live all over the Valley.

Does the department offer any tuition reimbursement?

The City of Mesa does offer tuition reimbursement. As of now it is $8,120 per year. In order to take advantage of this, the employee must be off probation and the program must be approved by a supervisor. You must maintain a “C” average in order to receive the reimbursement.

I am a veteran. Do I receive any preferential points?

Veterans will receive five preferential points on our written exam if they provide a valid copy of their DD214 prior to the written test.

I have the GI Bill. Can I use it with your department?

Yes. The academy offers recruits 28 college credits for the 26 weeks they complete in the academy. You can use your GI Bill during this time to receive your money from the government. You will receive your regular salary from Mesa PD during this time.

The City of Mesa is rich is cultural diversity, and we know it is important to make sure that our police department accurately reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We celebrate the various backgrounds & lifestyles our members come from, and appreciate the unique skills and perspectives they bring to our department. When it comes to having an all-inclusive culture, the Mesa Police Department is intentional about creating a space where all our employees feel accepted, respected and valued.

To ensure that all members of the department adhere to best practices when interacting with citizens, our staff undergoes continuous training on cultural awareness and competency, disability recognition and response, and a variety of other important educational courses.

Every year our department participates in a variety of campaigns to raise awareness and funds for programs and initiatives that serve individuals in our community that are most in need.

Through our Women’s Leadership Symposium Series and 30×30 Initiative, women (which are largely underrepresented in law enforcement) are encouraged to grow personally and professionally to bring out the best in each other. Click here to learn more.

The Innovation Committee empowers our new generation officers to explore new ideas, review current policies, and implement change to ensure that we continue to be a forward-thinking and innovative department.

Click Here  to learn more about our diversity & inclusion efforts. Click Here to learn more about Together Mesa.