Police Officer (Certified)

Dothan, AL
Dothan Police Department

Salary: $51,750.40 – $82,784.00 Annually

Closing Date: 3/31/2026

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws and the protection of life and property.

Essential Functions:

  • Patrols the city to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations.
  • Responds to calls for service, including domestic disputes, assaults, burglaries, traffic accidents, lost or missing persons searches, public service duties, stranded motorists, and others.
  • Conducts preliminary investigations into traffic accidents and criminal incidents, including interviewing victims, complainants, and witnesses, gathering information and evidence, and securing crime scenes.
  • Prepares and transports evidence for laboratory analysis.
  • Apprehends, arrests, and processes offenders, including fugitives. Subpoenas witnesses.
  • Provides assistance and backup support to other officers and emergency service providers as necessary.
  • Assists motorists.
  • Provides traffic direction as needed for events such as parades, funerals, events, and school crossings.
  • Testifies in judicial proceedings, as necessary.
  • Serves court orders.
  • Transports prisoners.
  • Completes all required reports and forms, including accident and incident reports.
  • Inspects and maintains assigned patrol car, uniform, and equipment.
  • Performs the duties of an Investigator as assigned; analyzes crime scenes and collects evidence; interviews or interrogates complainants, witnesses, victims, suspects and informants; obtains and receives signed statements; analyzes criminal activity and evidence to develops leads, identify witnesses and develop informant sources; prepares case files and assists in preparing cases for prosecution; testifies in court.
  • Performs the duties of a School Resource Officer as assigned; monitors school facilities and activities to provide security and to detect and deter crime; communicates and assists students, parents, faculty, and staff.
  • Performs the duties of a Court Bailiff as assigned; provides courtroom security; serves subpoenas, summons, bond forfeiture notices, and other legal paperwork for Municipal Court.
  • Performs related duties.

Requirements:

  • Graduation from an accredited* standard senior-high school or GED equivalent, as recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and (Act No. 71-156, 3rd Sp. Sess., 1971 AL Legislature.)
  • Certification as a Police Officer in the State of Alabama (APOST); or certification in another state with the ability to obtain APOST certification through reciprocity within current APOST guidelines.
  • Graduation from an *accredited college or university with an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree in a job specific/related field is preferred.
  • Possession of a valid operator driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. (PBA 09/10/01).
  • Employees are required to submit to Drug and Alcohol testing in accordance with the City of Dothan policy which includes pre-employment and random tests for the duration of employment in this position. (PBA 08/13/12).
  • An applicant for this position is subject to various background investigations up to and including a criminal, credit, past employment, and reference checks.
  • Applicants certified in another state (other than Alabama) must satisfactorily complete the APOST agility course prior to attending a lateral Alabama academy.
  • The applicant must meet the minimum standards for law enforcement officers as established by Alabama Law (Act No. 71-156, 3rd Sp. Sess., 1971 AL Legislature.).
  • Applicant must be at least 19 years of age.
  • Must meet the City of Dothan’s employment physical standards which include drug/alcohol testing.