From the time of initial application, the hiring process can take up to three months. The following are all the steps of our hiring process. With a couple of exceptions, each step of the process is pass/fail, meaning you have to successfully complete any given step to move on to the next.
Application
Submit a Police Officer employment application. Once you submit a Police Officer employment application online, you will be contacted and emailed a link to the Lenexa Police Department Personal History Statement. You must complete the Personal History Statement to move on to the next step.
Written test
If your application materials are approved, you will be invited to participate in a written aptitude test. Test topics include reading comprehension, grammar, and basic math. This test takes place at the Lenexa Police Department and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Applicants who do not pass the written test are eligible to retake it the next time it is offered.
Interview board
If you successfully pass the written test, you will be scheduled for an in-person interview at a later date with a board comprising Lenexa officers and supervisors. The interview takes place at the Lenexa Police Department and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Polygraph examination
If you advance this far in the process, you will next take a polygraph exam administered by one of our detectives that is a certified polygrapher. This exam takes place at the Lenexa Police Department and lasts approximately two hours.
Background investigation
Upon a successful result of your polygraph exam, a detective will be assigned to conduct your background investigation. This investigation includes, but is not limited to, a financial credit check, a review of your social media accounts, and interviews with current/previous employers, current/previous co-workers, current/previous neighbors, current/previous roommates, and current/previous spouse or significant other. This background investigation can take 2-3 weeks to complete.
Physical fitness test
The test is designed on a functional fitness model, and consists of the following: Beep test (measure of aerobic capacity), dumbbell bench press (40% of body weight, maximum reps), plank (hold for time) and body weight squat. This test takes place at the Lenexa Police Department and lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Patrol ride-along
You will participate in a patrol ride-along with a Lenexa officer to experience first-hand how we operate. This gives you the opportunity to see if a career with us is a good fit. The ride-along lasts approximately four hours.
Interview with Chief of Police
If you complete the hiring process to this point and have been recommended for hiring consideration, you will be scheduled for an interview with the Chief of Police. This interview takes place at the Lenexa Police Department and lasts approximately 1 hour. The Chief may or may not extend a conditional offer of employment during this interview. If you are given a conditional job offer, it is not a guarantee of employment, but rather a promise to be considered in the most qualified applicant pool upon successful completion of all components of the hiring process. If a conditional offer is given, the remaining steps of the process will be scheduled.
Psychological inventory
You will participate in a battery of psychological tests conducted by a licensed psychologist. This inventory takes place at a local psychologist’s office and lasts approximately two hours.
Medical/physical examination
You will be given a medical examination by a physician to check your general health, fitness and conditioning. The results will be evaluated according to your height, weight and age, and based on procedures that are valid and non-discriminatory. As part of the medical exam, you will also take a drug screening examination to determine the recent use of illegal drugs.
Final job offer
The Chief of Police, based upon the results of the entire hiring process, will make the final hiring decision. The Chief of Police or designee will advise you of the hiring decision and provide you a final job offer.