How to become a police officer in Indiana
In Indiana, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board (LETB) / Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Law enforcement basic training certificate (Tier I minimum basic training course, LETB). At the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, new hires start at $74,459 a year. You must be at least 21.
Pay at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $74,459 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
IMPD recruiting site: 'Starting recruit salary of $74,459 for 2026'; recruits are paid during the academy and 'make over $95,000 in your 3rd year'. In-state lateral starting salary $91,591. Extras: hazard duty and technical pay $529/yr, shift differential 3% of base hourly rate, field training pay $1,300/yr + 8%, uniform allowance $2,600/yr, college incentive pay $250 per 30 credit hours. No official top-of-scale figure found. Figures are stated 'for 2026'; no exact effective date given.
Source:[joinimpd.indy.gov]
Pay for this work across Indiana
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Indiana, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 12,980 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $52,170 |
| Median pay | $73,370 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $100,010 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school graduate with a diploma from a state accredited high school; an equivalency diploma or an accredited college degree is also acceptable (250 IAC 2-3-3)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Must have reached his or her twenty-first birthday as of the date the basic training ends (250 IAC 2-3-1)
- Strength, agility, vision and hearing to complete the board-approved basic training, with no impairment creating a safety hazard (250 IAC 2-3-2)
- Valid driver's license from the state of residence (250 IAC 2-3-4)
- Good reputation and character shown by a police department background investigation (250 IAC 2-3-5)
- No felony conviction or crime(s) indicating the applicant is potentially dangerous, violent or has a propensity to break the law; fingerprint search of local, state and national files (250 IAC 2-3-6)
- Reading and writing examination before acceptance for training; the training agency sets the minimum score (250 IAC 2-3-7)
- Dishonorable military discharge disqualifies (250 IAC 2-3-8)
- Physician must find the applicant physically, emotionally and mentally fit for basic training (250 IAC 2-3-9)
- Must complete the minimum basic training course within one (1) year of first or original appointment (250 IAC 2-2-3)
- To join the statewide 1977 Fund, a police officer must pass the statewide baseline physical exam and local board mental exams and be under age 40 at hire (exceptions apply)
Source:[iar.iga.in.gov]
Hiring process
- Hire by an Indiana law enforcement agency (local application and selection set by the agency or merit board)
- Background and character investigation with fingerprint search
- Reading and writing examination
- Physician's fitness determination; statewide baseline physical and local mental exams for 1977 Fund membership
- ILEA Tier I basic training (16 weeks, residential), passing all written exams at 75% and all practical exams
- Basic training completed within one year of original appointment
Source:[in.gov]
Required training
600 hours minimum, 16 weeks. 250 IAC 2-4-1 (amended 2024, LSA #23-731): the Tier I minimum basic training course shall consist of not less than six hundred (600) hours of classroom and practical training (previously 480). ILEA: 'a 16-week residential course ... consisting of over 600 hours of training'. Tier II (town and conservancy district marshals) is at least 320 hours. Basic students must score at least 75% on all written examinations and pass all practical examinations (250 IAC 2-2-4).[secure.in.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: 1977 Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension and Disability Fund (1977 Fund), Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS)
- Benefit formula: 52% of the first-class salary (highest non-promoted patrol officer salary plus longevity, certified annually by the employer) + 1% for each 6 months of active service over 20 years; maximum 76% of first-class salary (retirements on or after July 1, 2019)
- When you can retire: At least 20 years of service credit, age 52 for an unreduced benefit or age 50 for a reduced benefit, and separated from covered service
1977 Fund Member Handbook effective 07/01/2025. A 2025 Senate bill (SB 388) proposed raising the base to 55%; not verified as enacted, so the handbook formula is shown.
Source:[secure.in.gov]