Police Officer, Spring 2026 Painesville Police Open Competitive Entrance Exam

The Painesville Police Department is currently looking to hire for the position of Police Officer. All testing will be done through the National Testing Network, a third-party vendor. Please use the link here or go to their website www.nationaltestingnetwork.com to access the listing to submit your application. All application materials should be submitted directly to the National Testing Network. Applications and other required materials will not be accepted by the City of Painesville. Application submissions missing any of the required items will not be considered a complete application and will not be considered for eligibility. Application and testing deadline is Friday, June 5, 2026.

For more information, please see the attached PDF posting.

• Patrols a designated area of the City in a patrol car; prevents and discovers commission of crime.

• Apprehends criminals and offenders; enforces vehicle and traffic laws.

• Makes police presence known in a manner that contributes to deterrence of law violations.

• Answers calls and radio complaints involving automobile accidents, misdemeanors, and/or felonies; conducts accident investigations and criminal investigations at the scenes of crimes.

• Administers first-aid to persons.

• Gathers evidence, locates and questions witnesses; interrogates suspects.

• Writes citations and makes arrests as required by circumstances; testifies as a witness in court.

• Establishes traffic control and police protection at incidents which may attract crowds; performs police duties at parades, processions, and demonstrations in assigned area.

• Checks and reports on deficient street lights, signs, road surfaces, or other facilities which serve the public.

• Checks doors and windows and examines premises of unoccupied buildings or residences in order to detect any suspicious conditions

• Gives information and provides assistance to motorists and the public.

• On an assigned basis, serves as a member of the Detective Bureau; conducts follow-up investigations; interviews witnesses, victims, and others and takes statements; interrogates suspects; examines records and collects evidence to be used for criminal prosecutions; testifies in court; prepares detailed investigative reports; serves warrants, obtains subpoenas, and makes arrests; conducts surveillances

• On an assigned basis, serves as a juvenile and crime prevention officer; investigates offenses involving juveniles; works with runaway and abused children, parents, school, the County Welfare Department, the County Juvenile Court, and other agencies.

• Completes initial and follow-up reports; initiates neighborhood meetings; prepares and delivers talks to organized groups.

• On an assigned basis, serves as a training officer; patrols with recruit and instructs officers on local police procedures; evaluates officers during probationary period.

• Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE TEST

• Completed City of Painesville Employment Application (can be found on the city’s website www.painesville.com/employment
• U.S. Citizenship; please provide copy of social security card and birth certificate
• High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED)
• Valid Ohio Driver’s License
• Must be at least 21 years of age and under 37 years of age at time of original appointment. (No person shall be eligible to receive an original appointment on and after his/her thirty-seventh [37] birthday or prior to his/her twenty-first [21] birthday)

CONTINUED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AFTER SUCCESSFULLY PASSING THE EXAM (Passing score of 70% on written exam is required to continue)

• Must successfully complete an approved police physical agility. The Painesville Police department will offer a physical agility testing at a later date after the testing deadline. An acceptable alternative is a completed Tri-C physical agility certificate dated between June 5, 2025 to June 5, 2026.
• Must possess an Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy(OPOTA) Certificate at the time of original appointment.

***All portions of the testing process are mandatory. Failure to attend and complete any portion of the process will result in elimination from employment consideration.***

• Medical, Dental and Prescription Insurance (full-time employees only)

• Employee Wellness Program

• Direct Deposit Program

• Employee Assistance Program (full-time employees only)

• Worker's Compensation Insurance

• $25,000 Term Life Insurance (full-time employees only)

• Family Medical Leave, Bereavement/Funeral Leave, Jury Duty Compensation, Military Leave

• Holidays

• Sick Time (verifiable sick leave from other, Ohio Public Employers accepted with no limit)

• Vacation Time (up to five weeks with other, verifiable, Ohio Public Service Time) 

• Section 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Plans

  • Ohio Deferred Compensation

  • ICMA

• Pension Plans

  • Ohio Police & Fire (OP&F)

ADDITIONAL CREDIT (Maximum of 20%):

Additional credit in the maximum amount of 20% shall be granted to applicants, only after receiving a passing score and providing proof at the time of application for the following (All materials for additional credit must be submitted with original application through the National Testing Network):

• Prior service with an honorable discharge from this country’s armed forces(Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army National Guard or the reserve units of such);10% additional credit of applicant’s written score – DD214required.
• Municipal, State, or County law enforcement satisfactory full-time service with a municipal, state, or county law enforcement agency for five (5) years or more (only full years shall apply);10% additional credit of applicant’s written score. Applicants applying for prior law enforcement credit MUST submit an ORIGINAL signed letter from his/her employer stating years of service as proof of said service.
• Completion of the police academy; 5% additional credit of applicant’s written score. Applicants applying for credit must provide OPOTA certificate.
• Education Credit as follows:
  • 2.5% for an associate’s degree or accumulated class credit equal to two years completed in pursuit of a 4 year degree at an accredited university or college; or
  • 5% for a bachelor’s degree or higher educational degree from an accredited university or college.
  Applicants applying for educational credit must provide a copy of their degree or official transcripts – unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.