Warwick - Entry Level Police Officer

                                                                                                  City of Warwick

                                                                                               Police Department

                                                                                         2026 Recruitment Drive

The Warwick Police Department is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer who demonstrate good judgement, and even temperament, show creativity and problem-solving skills, can think on their feet, handle pressure and demonstrate leadership ability.

Applications are being accepted throughout the entire year.  Any applications received before March 1st, 2026 will be considered for the August 2026 Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy class.  Any applications received after that date will be considered for the January 2027 Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy class.  Any applicant who is a Lateral Transfer (already certified Police Officer) will be considered immediately and will be contacted about the Lateral Transfer hiring process.

Any applicant may take a Physical Fitness Assessment and Written Exam through Fit2Serve RI.  Their website is www.fit2serveri.com.

Fit2Serve physical fitness certificates are honored for one year from the date of the exam.  Written exam certificates are honored for two years from the date of the exam.

Click the below YouTube link to see what the WPD has to offer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YxGRumg4cA

Qualifications to Apply:

1.       U.S. Citizen

2.       20 – 39 years of age (may not have reached 39th birthday by date of application, must turn 21 prior to graduation from the Academy)

3.       Valid motor vehicle operator’s license

4.       High School Diploma or GED

5.       Minimum 30 college credits as of date of application from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education OR 1 year full time employment as a Police Officer, Corrections Officer or equivalent law enforcement experience at an agency with arrest powers OR 1 year active or reserve military service by the date of application

6.       Good moral character

Previous applicants who have been disqualified during the background investigation must wait 1 full calendar year from the date of disqualification before re-applying.  All of previous applications may re-apply at any time.

Applicant Selection Process

No applicant will move on past initial testing until there is a vacancy in staffing which needs to be filled.  At that point, applicants who have successfully passed their Physical Fitness Assessment and Written Exam will be notified of a date for their Oral Board Interview.

1.       Electronic application submission through – www.policeapp.com/warwickri

2.       Physical Fitness Assessment – Schedule through Fit2Serve RI or Certify Fit

3.       Written Examination – Schedule through Fit 2 Serve RI

4.       Oral Board Interview

5.       Conditional Offer of Employment (COE)

6.       Background Investigation

7.       Integrity Interview

8.       Medical Examination

9.       Psychological Examination

10.   Eligibility list is established based upon candidate passing all previous criteria and the Police Chief’s selection

11.   RI Municipal Police Training Academy (approximately 22 weeks)

12.   Field Training Officer (FTO) program (approximately 12 - 14 weeks)

13.   One year of probation

14.   Permanent appointment as a Police Officer

Once you have passed the Physical Fitness Assessment and Written Exams, Certificates can be scanned and emailed to Sergeant Ryan Lancaster at ryan.lancaster@warwickri.gov.  The Warwick Police Department has no affiliation with Fit2Serve or Certify Fit.  If any candidate has difficulty scanning and emailing these certificates, they can be brought in person to the Oral Board once that is scheduled.

Documents Needed Prior to Oral Board Interview

(Any applicant who cannot provide the following documents will be removed from the hiring process)

1.       Birth Certificate and/or Naturalization Papers

2.       Scan or Photocopy of your Driver’s License

3.       Scan or Photocopy of your Social Security Card

4.       Scan or Photocopy of your High School Diploma

5.       Scan or Photocopy of your College Degree (if applicable) and Certified Copy of College Transcript

6.       Proof of Military Service (DD-214, if applicable)

7.       Police/Corrections Academy Certification (if applicable)

8.       Proof of Selective Service Registration (males only)

Salary and Benefits

(Pay range includes Holiday Pay (15 Holidays), Uniform Allowance and Accreditation Bonus)

1st year:   $66,120.36 - $70,711.97

2nd Year:   $73,989.52 - $79,148.62

3rd Year:   $82,053.16 - $87,793.77

4th Year:   $92,382.96 - $98,868.51

After 4th Year, Officers receive Longevity Pay (8.5% - 13.5% of Base Pay)

Medical, Dental and Prescription Coverage

Liability and Life Insurance

Opportunities to join Specialized Units including SWAT, Dive Team, Marine Patrol, Crisis Negotiation Team, Detectives, Community Police, Traffic Unit etc.

Physical Fitness Assessment 4th Percentile

The City of Warwick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as maintaining an updated E.E.O.P.  Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.