Skip to content
  • During Academy

  • After 1-year probation

  • Paid Training

  • Years to Pension

  • Next Testing Weekend

Pay & Benefits

Competitive compensation with a clear path from probation through post-probation.

  • Step 1 — Probation Year

    $20.15 / hr

    • Year 4 $83,148.00 including longevity pay
    • Year 5 $88,602.80 including longevity pay
    • Year 6 $89,277.80 including longevity pay
    • Year 7–9 $92,008.80 including longevity pay
    • Year 10–12 $94,062.80 including longevity pay
    • Year 13–14 $95,440.80 including longevity pay
    • Year 15 $99,559.20 including longevity pay
    • Year 16–17 $102,289.20 including longevity pay
    • Year 18+ $106,371.20 including longevity pay
  • Healthcare

    Comprehensive Coverage

    • Medical, dental, and hospitalization
    • City-provided coverage
    • Coverage starts day one
  • Retirement

    PERA System

    • PERA retirement system
    • Fully funded pension
    • Secure your future
  • Core Benefits

    • Paid straight time for 8–10 hours on recognized city holidays. If worked: holiday pay plus time-and-a-half for first 8 hours; holidays may be "floated" into vacation.
    • Compensated at 1.5× pay or in comp time (up to 150 hours available).
    • City-provided medical, hospitalization, and dental plans.
    • Accrued per city policy.
    • 3.70 hours accrued per pay period.

Requirements Snapshot

Clear standards. Fair expectations. Here's what it takes to become a Prisoner Transport Officer.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 21 years of age

    Minimum age requirement

  • High school diploma or GED

    Education requirement

  • Valid driver's license

    Required

  • Pass background investigation

    Annual fitness-for-duty status

Disqualifiers

  • No felony convictions
  • No domestic violence convictions
  • No misdemeanor convictions in the last 3 years
  • No DWI in the last 5 years; no multiple DWIs in the last 10 years
  • No felony drug use in the last 5 years; marijuana reviewed case-by-case
  • Stable credit history required

Critical

Integrity is everything. Most applicants fail not because of past issues, but because they lie or omit facts. Be honest.

Preferred Skills & Abilities

  • Use and properly care for firearms.
  • Understand, interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Prepare clear and concise reports.
  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine and take appropriate action.
  • Identify potential crime situations or traffic hazards and take preventive action.
  • Perform defensive tactics and survival techniques
  • Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely.
  • Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Selection Process

Every step matters. Here's exactly what to expect from application to academy.

  1. 1

    Interest Card Submission

  2. 2

    Personal History Statement (PHS)

  3. 3

    Additional Documents Required

  4. 4

    Nelson-Denny Exam

  5. 5

    Written Psychological Exam

  6. 6

    Background Investigation

  7. 7

    Polygraph Exam

  8. 8

    Psychological Assessment

  9. 9

    Physical Abilities Test (2–4 weeks pre-academy)

  10. 10

    Chief's Selection Committee

  11. 11

    Medical Exam & Drug Screen

Job Duties

As a Prisoner Transport Officer, you will:
• Provide temporary detainment and transportation of prisoners.
• Prevent escapes and respond to potential security risks.
• Ensure public safety while controlling prisoner custody.
• Safely transport prisoners between detention facilities, courts, and designated locations according to APD standards.
• Complete accurate chain-of-custody and transfer documentation.

⚠️ This is a safety-sensitive position and is subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

PTO Academy

Classroom and practical training covering APD policies, defensive tactics, prisoner management, transport protocols, and safety procedures. Must complete 1-year probation after academy graduation.

  • Law Enforcement Fundamentals

    Criminal law, justice system, constitutional rights, and ethical policing.

  • Firearms & Defensive Tactics

    Weapons proficiency, self-defense techniques, and officer safety protocols.

  • Crisis Intervention

    De-escalation strategies, mental health awareness & community engagement.

  • Community Policing

    Building trust, problem-solving partnerships, and cultural competency.

  • Field Training

    Ride-alongs with experienced officers and hands-on scenario training.

  • hours per week

  • paid (salary + benefits)

  • months out post-grad