About Oklahoma City Police Department Test

Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) is the police department in the state of Oklahoma, with 1,169 full-time sworn officers and 300 civilian personnel. Thanks to its systematic functioning and the effective methods adopted to prevent crime and ensure public safety, OKCPD is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) as a law enforcement agency of excellence.

Motto: “Duty, Integrity, Honor”

History: OKCPD was established in 1889, after the city was taken over by the famous “Oklahoma Land Run”. Patrolling of the city was initially carried out four patrolmen, who were commanded by a Chief of Police. However, over a period of time, 5 different counties came together to fund the OKCPD and make it the official law enforcement agency of the region. Since its founding, 31 sworn officers and 1 recruit officer have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

Size: Oklahoma City Police Department’s jurisdiction extends over an area of 700 square miles. The city is divided into 2,500 small policing districts and complaints or calls can be requested at any of the department’s 5 substations.

Headquarters: 700 Colcord Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, United States

Divisions: The department is broadly divided into 3 main bureaus: administration bureau – responsible for administrative functions, transfers and allocation of finances; investigations bureau – that carries out systematic investigations into homicides and other violent crimes; and an operations bureau – that carries out frequent patrols of the city’s 4 patrol districts. OKCPD also has several specialized units that carry out ultra-specific functions like airport policing and a dedicated helicopter unit.

How to become an officer: Persons interested in a career with OKCPD must submit an online application form through the NeoGov portal and take the Oklahoma City police department test that is divided into 2 phases: the law enforcement aptitude battery (LEAB) and the physical ability test (PAL). The LEAB consists of three sections that are intended to assess the candidate’s problem-solving capacities, thought process, his/her underlying behavioral tendencies, and most importantly their cognitive ability. The physical ability test requires candidates to pass through a timed obstacle course, that includes running, wall climbing, passing through hurdles, jumping over obstacles, crawling, and moving heavy objects. Candidates who pass through these 2 phases successfully are then called for an oral board interview and a polygraph examination.

Average salary: $57,942-$66,252 annually, increasing with position and experience.

Police academy: Selected candidates join the Oklahoma City Police Department Academy for a 28-week intensive training program. The academy is non-residential. However, candidates are paid a decent salary during the training period. The scope of the training includes a wide range of skills that are required for efficient law enforcement, such as: patrolling best practices, public relations, communication skills, criminal law, constitutional law and its implications, operation of emergency vehicles, training on firearms usage, self-defense tactics, the methodology of investigation, bilingual training and First-Aid.

Registration: for more information on the Oklahoma City police exam, visit their official website today. Competition for places in the department is high and only the best applicants are chosen to enlist with the local police academy.