How to become a police officer in Idaho
In Idaho, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council sets the statewide standards; the credential is POST Basic Certification (Patrol). At the Boise Police Department, new hires start at $69,514 a year, rising to $123,573 after about 20 years. You must be at least 21.
Pay at the Boise Police Department
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Boise Police Department, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $69,514 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $123,573 |
| Years to top | 20 |
| Scale effective | 2026-10-01 |
City of Boise union-contract hourly rates effective 10/1/2026: PO (entry) $33.42/hr = $69,513.60; PO-1 $36.36; PO-3 $42.30; PO-5 $48.21; PO-7 $50.78; PO-10 $52.81; PO-15 $55.65; PO-20 $59.41/hr = $123,572.80 (hourly x 2080). Grades are by years of service (laterals get half-time credit up to 14 years; 10 years experience = PO-5). Rates for 10/1/2025 were PO $32.45 and PO-20 $57.68. Extras: 3% swing / 5% night shift differential, 5% FTO incentive, state POST certification pay; city contributes 6.2% of composite wage to the Boise Police Officers 457 plan.
Source:[cityofboise.org]
Pay for this work across Idaho
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Idaho, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 2,810 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $48,840 |
| Median pay | $66,990 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $97,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma from an accredited high school, GED or Department of Labor assessment, state-issued high school equivalency certificate, or equivalent
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Ineligible based on past conduct listed in IDAPA 11.11.01.055 (e.g. felony convictions; certain misdemeanors and drug use within set look-back periods; prior decertification)
- Employing agency must conduct a comprehensive background investigation with FBI fingerprint search, traffic records in every state of residence, references, last three employers and an interview
- Physical readiness assessment required before the academy; must pass a physical readiness test before certification
- Mental readiness: evaluation by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist where suitability is in question
- Aptitude test required
- Must attest to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
- Must complete the basic academy, at least 40 hours of field training and six consecutive months of probation within twelve months of beginning employment to be certified
Source:[adminrules.idaho.gov]
Hiring process
- Employment by an Idaho law enforcement agency in a position requiring POST certification
- Personal history statement and comprehensive background investigation (FBI fingerprints, traffic records, references, employers, interview)
- Aptitude test
- Physical readiness assessment
- Mental readiness evaluation where required
- POST application submitted by the agency
- POST Patrol basic academy (14 weeks)
- At least 40 hours of field training and six months of probation, all within 12 months of hire
- POST basic certification
Source:[adminrules.idaho.gov]
Entrance exam
POST aptitude test (IDAPA 11.11.01.057.06). Idaho rules require every applicant to complete an aptitude test 'to ensure he is capable of performing law enforcement duties' but do not name a single statewide test; the instrument is chosen by the hiring agency (Boise PD uses the NCJOSI2 written exam). Academy exams account for 11 hours of the 2026 patrol academy schedule.[adminrules.idaho.gov]
Required training
565 hours minimum, 14 weeks. Idaho POST 2026 Patrol academy schedule: Total Academy Hours 565 (instructional hours are estimated time allocations from approved lesson plans). POST: 'The patrol academy is 14 weeks', held at the POST campus in Meridian. Rules also allow certification by challenging the academy (IDAPA 11.11.01.059).[post.idaho.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) Base Plan, Police Officer member class
- Benefit formula: 2.3% x years of credited service x average monthly salary of the highest 42 consecutive months (police officer/firefighter multiplier for service on or after July 1, 2000)
- When you can retire: Service retirement age 60 for police officers with 60 months of service; unreduced earlier under the Rule of 80 (age + years of service = 80); early reduced retirement from the minimum age with at least 60 months of service
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
PERSI handbook: 'You do pay Social Security taxes on your contributions to the Plan.' The PERSI Early Retirement brochure gives a minimum early-retirement age of 50 for police officers. Boise PD officers also receive a city 6.2% 457 contribution (pay notes). Handbook information is based on 2018.
Source:[persi.idaho.gov]