DeWitt Police - Career Information

All applicants must:

• Be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Have reached the age of 18 years by the established date of the written examination (Retirement) All DeWitt officers become members of the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa. Mandatory retirement age is 65. (See Chapter 411, "Code of Iowa")

• Be a graduate of an accredited high school, or possess an equivalency certificate (GED).  

• Be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State of Iowa or intends to become a resident upon being employed. 

• Is not by reason of conscience or belief opposed to the use of force when appropriate or necessary to fulfill his/her duties. 

• Be able to speak, read, and write the English language.

• Not be addicted to alcohol or drugs. The City of DeWitt has a vital interest in maintaining safe, healthful, and efficient working conditions for its employees.  Being under the influence of a drug or alcohol poses serious safety and health risks, not only to the user, but to all those who work with or come into contact with the user. The possession, use, or sale of an illegal drug or alcohol in the workplace poses unacceptable risks to the safe, healthful, and efficient operations.

• Be of good moral character. (This implies that the conduct or character of any applicant must be such that his/her job performance as a police officer would not be impeded in any manner.)

• Not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude. Moral turpitude is defined as "an act of baseness, vileness, or depravity in the private and social duties that a person owes to another person, or to society in general, contrary to the accepted and customary rule of right and duty between person and person." It might include "justice, honesty, or good morals." It might include "income tax evasion, perjury, assault,  theft, indecent exposure, sex crimes, conspiracy to commit a crime, domestic abuse, stalking, illegal drug sales, or any offense in which a weapon was used in the commission of the crime.

• Must have a valid Iowa driver's or chauffeurs license at the time of employment.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATION TESTS

The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council, in recognizing the importance of physical fitness status for job performance, has established the following physical regimen as a pre-employment standard effective February 15, 1993.

No person can be selected or appointed as a law enforcement officer without first successfully passing all of the elements of this test. (See 501 IAC 2.1, adopted pursuant to Section 80B.11C5), Code of Iowa)

Upon entry into the Academy, every candidate will be given the same test as an assessment for training purposes and to ensure that each recruit can undergo the physical demands of the Academy without undo risk of injury, and with a level of fatigue tolerance to meet all Academy requirements. If, at the time of entrance into the Academy, an officer does not meet minimum standards, he or she will not be admitted.

Any questions you may have about these standards should be directed to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy at (515) 242-5357.

Sit & Reach Test
This is a measure of the flexibility of the lower back and upper leg area. It is an important area of performing police tasks involving range of motion and is important in minimizing lower back problems. The test involves stretching out to touch the toes or beyond with extended arms from a sitting position. The score is in inches reached on a yardstick fastened to an apparatus with 15 inches being at the toes and the one-inch mark closest to the body.

1 Minute Sit-Up Test
This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles. It is an important area for performing police tasks that may involve the use of force and is an important area for maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems. The score is in number of bent leg sit-ups performed in 1 minute.

1 Minute Push-Up Test
This test requires you to push your own weight off the floor. This measures the amount of force the upper body can generate and is an important area for performing police tasks requiring upper body strength. The score is calculated by the number of push-ups performed in one minute. (Females in excess of 49 years of age may do push-ups on their knees.)

1.5 Mile Run
This is a timed run to measure the heart and vascular system's capability to transport oxygen. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving stamina and endurance and to minimize the risk of cardiovascular problems. The score is in minutes and seconds.

Iowa Law Enforcement Physical Agility Standards

 

Minimal physical fitness performance requirements chart.
Males			Age
Test	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59	60 +
Sit & Reach	16.5	15.5	14.3	13.3	12.5
1 Minute Sit-up	38	35	29	24	19
1 Minute Push-up	29	24	18	13	10
1.5 Mile Run	12:51	13:36	14:29	15:26	16:43
Females			Age
Test	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59	60 +
Sit & Reach	19.3	18.3	17.3	16.8	15.5
1 Minute Sit-up	32	25	20	14	6
1 Minute Push-up	15	11	9	* 12	* 5
1.5 Mile Run	15:26	15:57	16:58	17:54	18:44

* Females in excess of 49 years of age may do pushups on their knees.

• Salary Step Plan
• Take Home Car Plan
• Holiday Bonus Pay
• Uniform Allowance
• Paid Training
• Health  & Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Annual Bonus for those with college degree
• Uniform Cleaning Allowance