How to hire a patrolman

How to hire a patrolman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step patrolman hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a patrolman job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new patrolman
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a patrolman job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The patrolman hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect patrolman also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of patrolman salaries for various roles:

   Type of Patrolman	Description	Hourly rate
   Patrolman	Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.	$13-24
   Community Services Officer	Community service offers or CSO support in crime response, investigation, and prevention where police powers are not necessary. The community service officers assist the police officers in terms of upholding order and law in the community... Show more	$12-25
   Code Enforcement Officer	Code enforcement officers are professionals who work for the government to ensure that properties within their jurisdiction are following the zoning laws and building ordinances of a city, town, or county. These officers are required to inspect properties and record violations as part of their regular assessment or in response to complaints... Show more	$13-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patrol
   • Law Enforcement
   • Public Safety
   • Non-Emergency Calls
   • Crime Scenes
   • Traffic Control
   • Traffic Laws
   • Criminal Law
   • Traffic Accidents
   • Incident Reports
   • Federal Laws
   • State Laws
   • Safety Hazards
   • Criminal Cases

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Apprehend violators and log evidence, complete require USAF and DoD forms, and accomplish report.
   • Protect community through regular patrol procedures, follow standards and protocol to ensure public safety and control hostile situations.
   • Investigate suspicious situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area promote good community relations.
   • Provide CPR coordination/training for the public.
   • Instruct and certify police officers and firefighters in CPR and a.
   • Assist other DPS divisions with felony investigations, such as narcotics smuggling.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your patrolman job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A patrolman can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, patrolmen' average salary in louisiana is 51% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level patrolmen 43% less than senior-level patrolmen.
   • Certifications. A patrolman with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a patrolman's salary.

   Average patrolman salary

   $38,920yearly

   $18.71 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level patrolman salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a patrolman job description

   A job description for a patrolman role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a patrolman job description:

   Patrolman job description example

   The Company: Liberty Steel & Wire is on track for a record year and all products are 100% made in the USA. We are known for providing industry expertise, competitive pricing and responsive customer service. But most of all, our reliable inventory of steel, and strategically located facilities, promise to deliver in the most cost efficient and timely manner.

   As part of a global organization, GFG Alliance, Liberty Steel & Wire is committed to the purpose of creating a sustainable future for industry and society. Focusing on change, family, and sustainability, Liberty Steel has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2030.

   We believe in recognizing change is a constant in the world, we are dynamic in that we seek to drive change rather than let it drive us. We pride ourselves on having an open mindset and continually challenging the status quo.

   The Position: I mmediate opening for a Patrolman within Plant Protection. Starting pay $17.50/hour with pay increases after 500 ($17.92/hr), 1000 ($18.14/hr), and 1500 ($18.29/hr) worked hours. Second and Third shift differentials; incentives for attendance and work performance. Competitive benefit package.

   • We offer a 401k with company match, company paid life insurance and long term disability, generous vacation, sick, and personal time, nine paid holidays, three medical & prescription drug plans to choose from offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dental and Vision plans, accident insurance, critical illness, and whole life, as well flexible spending accounts.
   • We also offer an exceptional bonus structure, annual merit reviews, and upward career advancement opportunities supported by professional development.

   Responsibilities:

   • Answers telephones and dispatches radio calls;
   • Responds to all emergency calls and administers first aid if required;
   • Monitors all incoming and out going traffic;
   • Investigates and files reports on accidents, injuries, and other issues as needed;
   • Patrols the entire plant area, which includes parking lots, inside plant and office buildings;
   • Calls Bartonville Police and Fire Departments as needed;
   • Monitors the alarm computer and alarm board, and dispatches alarms as they are received;
   • Interfaces effectively with Supervision, personnel from other departments, and ISWA personnel;
   • Performs other miscellaneous tasks as directed.

   Requirements:

   • High school or GED education required.
   • HAZMAT and at least one year of experience in security/fire protection preferred.
   • 40-hour (IDPH) State Certified First Responder required.
   • Assertive and goal oriented with a positive attitude;
   • Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
   • Must be capable of using personal computers and Microsoft software.

   
   

   The Location: Liberty Steel & Wire is based in Peoria, IL. This is a great place to live because it is affordable with cost of living in Peoria being 2% lower on average than other places in America and the areas has plenty of opportunities to visit wonderful attractions that are fun for the whole family, such as zoos, museums, and nature centers.

   Why Should You Apply?

   • Great benefits, competitive pay, and an exceptional bonus structure!
   • On-the-job training, continuous professional development, and career paths to include upward movement.
   • Flexible working hours and generous vacation, sick, and personal time off schedules.
   • Experienced team willing to support, learn, and grow with you.

   
   

   Liberty Steel and Wire is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

   
   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right patrolman for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your patrolman job on Zippia to find and recruit patrolman candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit patrolmen, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new patrolman

   Once you've found the patrolman candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new patrolman. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a patrolman?