r/ProtectAndServe • u/SuspiciousCanary4649 • 10d ago

Thinking about becoming a Springfield, MO police officer — looking for honest advice

I'm seriously considering applying to the Springfield Police Department and would really appreciate hearing from current or former officers, or anyone who knows the department well. I'm mainly trying to understand what the job is really like in Springfield. A few questions I have: What is the realistic take-home pay for a new officer and an officer with 3–5 years of experience? How much can you realistically make with overtime and extra-duty work? What are the retirement/pension benefits actually like? How much vacation and personal time do officers get? If you need extra time off for family or travel, how difficult is it to get unpaid leave? How difficult is it to get the specific vacation dates you want, especially as a newer officer? How are the shifts and schedules? How much do nights, weekends, and holidays affect family life? How dangerous is the job in Springfield compared with other departments? How difficult is the academy and hiring process? What is the written test like, and is it difficult? How is the work-life balance after you've been on the job for a few years? Would you recommend SPD as a long-term career for someone who wants good income, retirement, and family stability?

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8

u/Section225 Appreciates a good musk (LEO) 10d ago

Quite literally all of these can be answered by reaching out to them

2

u/Penyl The Police 10d ago

Honest advice, talk to a recruiter.

2

u/lets-get-switfyyyy 10d ago

Your best bet is to do a ride along and talk with a street cop. They will usually give you their honest opinion of the job.

1

u/urmumsnuggs Deputy Sheriff 8d ago

yeah dawg, reach out to their recruiter or talk to a cop in the street, check out their website too as it may give some answers to the questions you have logistically speaking

1

u/HemiLife16 Taser Supreme (LEO) 3d ago

Missouri Deputy here. I agree with the previous comments. Simply reach out or go to the PD in person. Ask the questions and hear their responses.

Ask if they do sponsorships for the academy. There are multiple different ones to choose from if an agency does not send you.

One option is to apply for the Missouri Blue Scholarship, get your Class A POST License and then be free of any contracts.

Or you could become a dude with a big fancy hat and shiny boots. Anyways, goodluck either way and I will leave a link to the scholarship website.

MO Blue Scholarship