Law Enforcement Officer Position

Fairbanks Police Department - Entry Level Police Officer

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

Fairbanks Police Department - Entry Level Police Officer

Last updated on November 23, 2024
PST Partner Agency since April 21, 2020

Vacancies: 6

Testing Deadline: December 31, 2024.

Important Information

BACKGROUND PROCESS INFORMATION:

The Fairbanks Police Department background process is comprehensive. Those applicants selected to go into the background process are expected to be active participants. The portions of the background process that require applicant participation include:

  • Applicant interview
  • Lie Detector Test
  • Written psychological test
  • Interview with a Psychologist
  • Physical Examination performed by an authorized medical provider
  • Urineanalysis-Drug Screen
  • Fingerprints

Recruit Police Officers will be required to attend a law enforcement academy in Sitka, Alaska.

Candidates will be required to take the Physical Ability Test (PAT) within 60 days of taking the written test and must be completed prior to moving on to oral boards. The PAT should be scheduled through the Public Safety Testing Website. More information on the PAT requirements can be found here: https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/information-center/test-requirements-law-enforcement-officer-physical-ak

There are five events that test an applicant’s level of physical fitness.

The minimum acceptable standard for each event is as follows:

  1. 300 Meter Run = 77 seconds
  2. Push-Ups = 21 repetitions
  3. One Minute Sit-Ups = 15 repetitions
  4. 1.5 mile run = 17 minutes, 17 seconds

Community Information

Fairbanks is the largest city in the interior region of Alaska. 2018 estimates put the population of the city proper at 31,516, and the population of the Fairbanks North Star Borough at 96,849, making it the second most populous metropolitan area in Alaska (after Anchorage). The Metropolitan Statistical Area encompasses all of the Fairbanks North Star Borough and is the northernmost Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States, located 196 driving miles (or 140 air miles) south of the Arctic Circle. 

Fairbanks is located within the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The borough's land area is slightly smaller than that of the state of New Jersey.  The borough is home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright Army Post and Eielson Air Force Base.

Below are some links to learn more about about Fairbanks and the surrounding areas.  

City of Fairbanks

Fairbanks North Star Borough

Explore Fairbanks

Hunting and Fishing

Places to Stay in Fairbanks

Fairbanks Event Calendar

Local School District Website

University of Alaska at Fairbanks

Homes and Real Estate in the Fairbanks Area

Housing Search Tool for Veterans

Department Information

The Fairbanks Police Department is a progressive, professional organization. Our mission is to serve the public with integrity, wisdom, courage, and compassion; working in partnership with the community to make Fairbanks a great place to live, work and visit. In order to provide the best possible service to the citizenry we serve, we will continuously strive to increase our knowledge and capabilities through a coordinated strategy integrating leadership, education, and technology.

The Fairbanks Police Department has an authorized strength of 51, which includes 45 sworn officers and six civilian support personnel.  Our annual budget is $6.9 million.

The Fairbanks Police Department has several opportunities for lateral movement and promotion within the department. Some of those opportunities include: traffic team, interagency drug team, K-9 team, SWAT team, property crime Investigator, major crimes Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Deputy Chief.

The department leads the state in technological capabilities. Some of the technology we use include mobile data terminals with automatic mapping in all patrol vehicles, in-car and body cameras, a drone program, a computer and mobile phone forensic program, a lawful electronic intercept program, 3-D scene mapping, video enhancement and numerous other technical programs.

The vision of the Fairbanks Police Department is to inspire confidence, support, and pride through excellence in every contact.

The Fairbanks Police Department holds the following values:

Partnership: We are committed to working in partnership with the community and each other to identify and resolve issues which impact public safety.

Respect: We are committed to respecting individual rights, human dignity, and value of all members of the community and the department.

Integrity: We are committed to nurturing the public trust by holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.

Dedication: We are committed to providing the highest quality of professional law enforcement service to the community with the goal of enhancing the quality of life in Fairbanks.

Empowerment: We are committed to empowering our members and community to resolve problems by creating an environment that encourages solutions and addresses the needs of the community.

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:

The Recruit Police Officer position is responsible for the protection of life and property through enforcing statutes and laws; rendering emergency assistance to the public in a wide variety of situations; patrolling residential, rural, and business areas of the City; performing standard crime and accident prevention duties; apprehending criminals; serving arrest warrants; issuing citations for violations of City ordinances and State statutes; identifying and recovering stolen property; investigating traffic accidents and crimes; and deciding whether to arrest or not, as well as when to use force or firearms.

Shift assignments, which rotate, normally consist of patrol or traffic activities in a designated area of the City in a patrol car, other designated vehicles, or on foot. The work involves an element of personal danger, and employees must exercise individual judgment and discretion in meeting emergencies and enforcing ordinances and laws.

Experienced officers may be assigned to special duties with the Drug Investigation Unit, provide field training to new police officers, or occasionally perform duties at a higher level classification for training purposes. During probation, new officers are expected to apply formal classroom and on-the-job training experiences to actual work situations. As experience and training are gained, the degree of direct supervision will decrease.

Assignments and general or special instructions are received from a superior officer, who reviews work occasionally while it is being performed or through records, personal inspection, and discussions.

Area Information

County: Fairbanks North Star Borough
Population: 96, 849
# of Staff:

Hiring Status

Fairbanks Police Department - Entry Level Police Officer has 6 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is December 31, 2024.

The Fairbanks Police Department is actively testing and hiring recruit police officers. 

Salary Information

*NEW* $20,000 Recruit Officer Bonus

Police Officer 

  • Salary Range: $38.00 hour/Step 1 – $55.36 hour/Step 20 + plus shift differential for swings (5%) and mid-shift (10%)

Benefit Information

The City of Fairbanks offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including: Health care, Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan (HRA), Flexible Spending Account, Dental care, Life Insurance, Long and short-term disability insurance options, pension, holidays, vacation, and deferred compensation plans. 

 
Benefit packages are unique to each of our Union Contracts.

  • Take home patrol car program
  • PERS retirement plan (defined contribution based)
  • Section 457 (tax deferred) investment plans
  • Uniforms and equipment provided
  • Uniform cleaning allowance: $65 per month
  • $275 annual footwear allowance
  • $150 annually for incidental purchases of duty equipment
  • APSC certification incentive: $1250/year Intermediate, $2750/year Advanced
  • Comprehensive health, dental, visual, audio and life insurance package covering employee and family members
  • Section 125 Plan: Option to participate to pay for out of pocket health care expenses, child care, etc. are tax deferred.
  • Holidays: 10 days per year
  • Personal Leave: 160 hours per year (Years 1-2), 200 hours per year (Years 3-5), 240 hours per year (Over 5 years)
  • Shift differential: Swing Shift 5% of base pay, Mid Shift 10% of base pay
  • Presentation of duty weapon and badge upon retirement

Fairbanks Police Department - Entry Level Police Officer Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT) No, not required (may be required later)
Minimum Age 21
Citizenship US Citizen
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Valid State of Alaska Driver's License
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult No adult felony convictions at any time.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile Not normally, but can be reviewed depending on circumstance.
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements

Must possess normal color discrimination, binocular coordination, peripheral vision and corrected visual acuity of 20/30 or better in each eye.

College Requirement

No

Basic Law Enforcement Academy Certification

No

Prior Experience Requirement

No

Veterans Preference Points Yes
Body Decorations

Candidates will be screened during the selection process at which time a determination will be made as to whether an applicant is in violation of the guidelines below. If a candidate is found to be in violation, then the person will have the option of having the tattoo or the visible portion thereof, removed at their own expense. If a candidate expresses a willingness to have this done, then their application will be placed on hold until the process is complete. Taking this action does not guarantee an applicant a position; he/she must successfully complete each phase of the process.

All employees, while on duty, are prohibited from:

Having any visible tattoos or body art on the head, face, neck or scalp. Any tattoos or body art on any of these areas will be covered by clothing.

Tattoos or body art that are gang related; that convey sexual, racial, religious, ethnic, or related intolerances; that promote a partisan political statement or expression; or that portray derogatory or offensive characterizations contrary to the values of this department.

Visible body piercing jewelry, including all facial and tongue piercings, with the exception of ear piercings for female employees. 

Body Art -- shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

1.Tongue splitting or bifurcation

2.Complete or trans-dermal implantation of any objects other than hair replacement.

3.Abnormal shaping of ears, eyes, or nose.

4.Unnatural contact lens colors and hair colorations; or color variations that detract from a professional appearance.

5.Gauging or gradually increasing the radius of a surgically induced opening in the flesh in areas such as the earlobes or lips.

6.Branding or scarification.

7.Abnormal filing of teeth.

8.Dental ornamentation; including the use of gold, platinum, or other veneer cap for the purpose of ornamentation or application of designs, jewels or initials.


Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We only consider the most recent score
Request/Access Scores On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur

Fairbanks Police Department - Entry Level Police Officer Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Drug Usage
Automatic Basic standards for police officers-Drug Use

The Fairbanks Police Department may not hire a person as a police officer unless the person meets the following minimum qualifications at the time of hire:

No person may be hired who has illegally manufactured, transported, or sold a controlled substance, unless the person was under the age of 21 at the time of the act and the act occurred more than 10 years before the date of hire; 

No person may be hired who has within the five years before the date of hire, has illegally used a Schedule IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, or VA controlled substance, unless (i) the person was under the age of 21 at the time of using the controlled substance; or (ii) an immediate, pressing, or emergency medical circumstance existed to justify the use of a prescription Schedule IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, or VA controlled substance not specifically prescribed to the person; or

No person may be hired who has within the one year before the date of hire, has used marijuana, unless the person was under the age of 21 at the time of using marijuana.

Automatic Illegal use of ANY controlled substance while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Criminal Activity
Automatic

Basic standards for police officers-Criminal Activity 

The Fairbanks Police Department may not hire a person as a police officer 

(1) who has been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence by a civilian court of this state, the United States, or another state or territory, or by a military court; 

 (2) who has been convicted, during the 10 years immediately before the date of hire as a police officer, of a crime of dishonesty or crime of moral turpitude, of a crime that resulted in serious physical injury to another person, or of two or more DUI offenses, by a civilian court of this state, the United States, or another state or territory, or by a military court;

Employment
Automatic Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces.
Automatic Lied during any stage of the hiring process.
Automatic Falsified his or her application, personal history questionnaire, or any other forms during hiring process.
Automatic Previous revocation or denial of APSC certified status, or suspension of current APSC certified status.
Financial
Potential Current credit accounts, or unresolved accounts in collection will be carefully reviewed.

Contact Information

Fairbanks Police Department - Entry Level Police Officer

911 Cushman Street
Fairbanks, AK 99701 Fairbanks North Star Borough County
907-450-6500

Website
Instagram
Facebook


Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
PAT: No, not required (may be required later)


Other Fairbanks Police Department positions

In-State Lateral Officer
Out of State Lateral Police Officer
DUI/Traffic Unit Officer