Join Our Team

Officer Randy Vickers with children and thank you sign

Police Officer Position

Here's what we offer:
  • Base hourly pay: $22.39/hr-$34.07/hr
  • Academy graduate/valid APOSTC or with experience as certified officer can progress to Police I, II or III, which tops out at $74,448.30
  • Day or night 12-hour shifts
  • $1 shift differential for night shifts

Are You Interested in a Law Enforcement Career?


Law enforcement is a dynamic profession where services are provided day and night, 365 days each year. Energetic, outgoing, and motivated individuals thrive in this field.  Click here to download an application for employment.

Application Requirements


Persons interested in becoming a police officer must be able to meet the following minimum application requirements:
  1. Be a resident in the State of Alabama,
  2. Possess a valid Alabama driver license and a good driving record,
  3. Veterans of our Armed Forces must have an Honorable Discharge (Please provide a copy of your DD-214 with your application) (Rule 650-X-2-.06 of the Administrative Code, Alabama Peace Officers Training Commission.  
  4. Pass a physical fitness test, including:
    1. Run 1.5 miles in less than 15 minutes and 28 seconds,
    2. 22 push-ups in one minute,
    3. 25 sit-ups in one minute,
    4. Complete an obstacle course in 90 seconds. Elements of this course include:
      1. Push a full-sized car 15 feet,
      2. Run 50 yards,
      3. Climb over a 6-foot wood or chain-link fence (applicant’s choice),
      4. Run 50 yards,
      5. Step through a 2-foot x 2-foot window frame,
      6. Run 25 yards,
      7. Walk 15 feet across a 6-inch x 6-inch balance beam elevated one foot above the ground, and,
      8. Drag a 165 pound dummy 15 feet.
  5. Pass a department-administered written test evaluating reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation, grammar, report writing, and math.  
  6. Pass the State-mandated ACT WorkKeys Assessment.  Applicants must pass the test before they can be registered to attend a basic police academy.  If you have already completed this test, please include a copy of your test certificate with your application or resume.  This three-hour basic aptitude test is administered at one of several testing centers around the state.  Our closest testing site is at Calhoun Community College.  For more information and scheduling, please call 256-306-2522.  The test costs $45 and your results are good for five years.  
  7. Complete a board interview.

Academy & Field Training Program


New officers are required to graduate from a 13-week police academy and successfully complete a field training program. Recruits typically ride with a Field Training Officer (FTO) for 1-3 months while waiting for the next academy session. Candidates must graduate from the 13-week basic academy and successfully complete the field training program to continue employment with this department.

Northeast Alabama Police Academy


Police academy recruits must be able to complete the entire physical fitness test described above during the first week of the academy. Failure to complete any portion of the physical fitness test may result in dismissal from the academy. Athens Police Department typically sends new officers to the Northeast Alabama Police Academy in Anniston, Alabama. For information, visit the academy website.

Application Process


Applications for police officer are accepted throughout the year, regardless of openings. For a current list of employment opportunities throughout the City of Athens and instructions regarding the application process, visit our Job Openings page.
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We #LoveAthensAL

We love serving this community and hearing from you!
  • “(Mayor Marks), I want to commend the Police Department for their quick and professional response today. We’re out of town but received an alarm from our security system. William, our son, went over to check it out and the police showed up. The officer was very thorough and wanted them to check the entire house. They didn’t find anything but I really appreciate the job they did and want to commend them. It makes me feel better knowing when we’re out of town that the police respond in a timely and professional manner.” - from a local homeowner 
  • “Keegan and his friend Asa are outside throwing football. I noticed an Athens police officer riding through patrolling like normal and didn’t think much about it… looked back out a couple of minutes later and realized that it was two officers (Mickey Hart and Matthew Smith), both had gotten out of their vehicle and were talking to the boys and throwing football with them. That couple of minutes that they took to do that brightened their day! They came running in to tell me all about it Although they said their first reaction was, ‘Uh oh what are we in trouble for? They thought it was because the football went into the street. BUT thank you to the officers that displayed this act of kindness to them!”  - from a local mom
  • “One of my favorite days at Little Tots Preschool. Officer Randy Vickers comes to talk to the children about his job as a police officer. Thank you for always going above and beyond to build a relationship with these children. Thank you to the City of Athens Police Department for allowing him to come talk to these children. Today we made Officer Vickers a book and he loved it!” – from a local business owner