How to become a police officer in Arkansas
In Arkansas, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Law enforcement officer certification (CLEST). At the Little Rock Police Department, new hires start at $55,585 a year, rising to $84,705 after about 15 years. You must be at least 21.
Pay at the Little Rock Police Department
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Little Rock Police Department, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $55,585 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $84,705 |
| Years to top | 15 |
| Scale effective | 2025-12-27 |
Little Rock 2026 compensation manual (effective December 27, 2025).
Source:[littlerock.gov]
Pay for this work across Arkansas
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Arkansas, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 5,710 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $35,210 |
| Median pay | $47,670 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $70,190 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school graduate or GED (home-school diplomas only if the Commission approves); 12 college hours with at least a C average substitutes
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen (or Compact of Free Association nonimmigrant from the Marshall Islands)
- May be hired at 20 to attend the basic academy but may not act as an officer until 21
- Fingerprinted (FBI FD-258) with ACIC and NCIC criminal records search
- No felony record; a pardon or expungement does not remove it
- Good character determined by a thorough background investigation
- Physical examination by a licensed physician
- Personal interview by the department head or representative
- Psychological examination by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist who recommends hiring
- Valid driver's license
- CLEST firearms qualification and review of use-of-force, criminal law and emergency vehicle policies
- Must complete the basic course within 9 months of hire (extension only by Commission vote)
Source:[dps.arkansas.gov]
Hiring process
- Agency application and personal interview
- Fingerprinting and state/national criminal records check
- Background investigation
- Medical examination by a licensed physician
- Psychological examination
- Firearms qualification
- Basic Police Training Course within 9 months of hire
- CLEST certification
Source:[dps.arkansas.gov]
Required training
520 hours minimum, 13 weeks. CLEST Rule 1005: certification requires a minimum of 520 hours in the basic law enforcement training course. CLEST FAQ: the Basic Police Training Course is 13 weeks and must be completed within nine months of hire. A comprehensive written exam is used only for returning officers separated 7-10 years.[dps.arkansas.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System (LOPFI)
- Benefit formula: Benefit Program 1, paid service not covered by Social Security: 3.00% of final average pay per year of service, max 100% of FAP; FAP = highest 36 consecutive months within the last 120 months
- When you can retire: Vesting 10 years for members hired on/after July 1, 2013. Normal retirement age 60 with under 20 years, 55 with at least 20 years, or any age with 28+ years. Early (reduced 0.5% per month) at age 50 with 20 years or after 25 years of paid service.
- Social Security: no, this job is not covered
Source:[lopfi-prb.com]