How to become a police officer in Alabama
In Alabama, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Law enforcement officer certification (APOSTC). At the Huntsville Police Department, new hires start at $59,779 a year, rising to $92,955. You must be at least 19.
Pay at the Huntsville Police Department
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Huntsville Police Department, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $59,779 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $92,955 |
| Scale effective | 2026-11-23 |
City of Huntsville FY2027 Public Safety Salary Schedule, Grade 14P: Step 1 $28.74/hr = $59,779.20/yr to Step 25 $44.69/hr = $92,955.20/yr. HPD's recruiting site says cadets earn the $59,779.20 starting salary from the first day of the police academy (effective Nov. 23, 2026), with annual step increases up to $92,955.20, plus a $600/yr clothing allowance ($700 from Feb 2027). Huntsville is Alabama's largest city.
Source:[huntsvilleal.gov]
Pay for this work across Alabama
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Alabama, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 11,710 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $37,480 |
| Median pay | $51,270 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $77,220 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 19
- Education: High school diploma or GED (online/correspondence/mail-order GEDs not accepted) plus a passing Basic Ability Test (BAT); OR an associate's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen, fluent in English
- Good moral character; any felony conviction is an absolute bar (a pardon does not nullify it)
- Complete physical examination by a licensed medical professional
- Comprehensive psychological evaluation by a licensed behavioral health professional
- Honorable discharge from any U.S. armed forces service
- Valid driver's license
- Two APOST fingerprint cards with the application package
- Must complete the basic academy within the 6-month (180-day) provisional appointment; failure bars re-employment as an officer for 2 years
Hiring process
- Basic Ability Test (BAT), unless holding an associate's degree or higher
- Agency application and background/character review
- Physical examination
- Psychological evaluation
- APOSTC application package with fingerprints and affidavit
- Provisional appointment and APOSTC-approved basic academy within 180 days
- Pass academy exams, physical agility test, firearms, defensive tactics and driving
- APOSTC certification
Entrance exam
Basic Ability Test (BAT) for Law Enforcement Officers. APOSTC-approved entrance test required of applicants who qualify by high school diploma or GED (Ala. Admin. Code 650-X-2-.03); applicants with an associate's degree or higher are exempt. There is no separate post-academy state licensing exam: the academy requires a 70% overall average on written exams plus passing first aid and legal issues exams (650-X-4-.01).[admincode.legislature.state.al.us]
Required training
560 hours minimum, 14 weeks. APOSTC: the basic academy curriculum is 560 hours, scheduled over a 14-week period (since 2021). Trainees may not miss more than 5% of required hours and must pass a physical agility test, firearms qualification (2 of 3 attempts at 70), defensive tactics and emergency vehicle operation (650-X-4-.01). Huntsville runs its own 19-week academy followed by 15 weeks of field training.[apostc.alabama.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Employees' Retirement System of Alabama (ERS), Retirement Systems of Alabama - Tier 2
- Benefit formula: Average final salary (highest 5 years of the last 10) x years and months of service x 1.65% benefit factor
- When you can retire: Tier 2: age 56 for FLC (certified firefighters, law enforcement and correctional officers) with at least 10 years of creditable service (age 62 for regular members)
ERS covers local police at participating cities/counties. Tier 2 (hired on/after Jan 1, 2013) certified law enforcement officers contribute 7.0% of pay. Under Act 2022-348 a local employer may elect to give its Tier 2 members Tier 1 benefits (law enforcement then contribute 8.5%), so the actual tier depends on the employer. Not confirmed whether Huntsville made that election.
Source:[rsa-al.gov]