The Mentor Police Department extends an invitation to all persons who have an interest in a career in law enforcement to explore employment opportunities with the Mentor Police Department.  The City of Mentor is an equal employment opportunity agency, and especially encourages minorities and females to apply for openings in the department.  Like other municipal departments, the Mentor Police Department hiring process is under the direction of the Mentor Civil Service Commission which operates in accordance with the ordinances of the City of Mentor.  Their direction ensures that all applicants have an equal opportunity and a level playing field.  The city maintains an active civil service eligibility list from which candidates are processed and selected when employment opportunities become available.

The City of Mentor prides itself on the hiring process that has been established for the police department, one which has provided the best of the best for sworn positions within the department.  The first step in this process is a written civil service test, administered by the civil service commission approximately every two years.  This test is announced in local newspapers, the city website, and through area colleges and universities.

Basic qualifications for employment include:

• United States citizenship
• 21 years old at the time of appointment and on or before 36th birthday
• High school graduate or GED
• Valid driver’s license

These are minimum qualifications.  Many of our successful candidates have obtained college degrees, either associate or bachelor’s. We encourage interested parties to attain a level of higher education to better compete.  Completion of an OPOTA certified police academy is also strongly encouraged.

Steps in the hiring process include:

• Written examination
• 2 extra credit points given for military experience
• 2 extra credit points for being a certified peace officer within the State of Ohio
• 2 extra credit points for education at or above an Associates degree
• Physical agility test
• Background investigations
• Polygraph test
• Psychological Test
• Medical Exam
• Oral interviews
• Completion of an 18 month probationary period

Employment Benefits for the police officers are negotiated between the City of Mentor and the Mentor Patrolman’s Association represented by the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association and contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.  Among these are:

• Excellent starting salary
• Membership in the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund
• Longevity pay
• Firearms proficiency pay
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical and dental insurance
• 12 paid holidays and 2 personal days
• Sick leave
• In service training and continuing education

The members of the Mentor Police Department are proud of their reputation as one of the finest law enforcement agencies in Lake County and in the State of Ohio. Becoming a member of the Mentor Police Department entitles you to share in the legacy created by former and current members.  In return, you will be expected to protect life and property, preserve the peace, prevent crime, detect and arrest violators, and enforce all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. Our officers are required to make split second decisions that could affect their lives, the lives of others, and the entire Mentor community.  If these responsibilities intrigue you, we encourage you to inquire further and to pursue a career within law enforcement.  Any questions you have can be answered.

Interested persons are reminded that decisions that you make today, could possibly impact your chances of obtaining a law enforcement position tomorrow.

Civilian positions within the department are not under the umbrella of the Civil Service Commission. Positions, when available, are posted in the employment opportunities section of the city website and are advertised in local newspapers.

For more information, please call 440-974-5760 or email us.