Over the last two months, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) ramped up its effort to recruit new officers with a multi-platform recruitment campaign that included television commercials, radio ads, billboards, and social media posts.
Since May 13, 2024, the SLMPD received 124 new applications for people to become Police Officer Trainees.
SLMPD will begin to process the applications, which will include an extensive background check, physical test, written test, oral interview, and more. This process is conducted before the applicant can be accepted as a Police Officer Trainee and enter the Police Academy.
“We applaud the men and women who took the first step of entering this noble profession,” Police Commissioner Robert Tracy said. “I have confidence that those accepted as a Trainee will find our work fulfilling.”
In addition to the 124 new applicants, 24 people have returned to SLMPD after leaving for another agency. It’s no secret, that police departments across the country are struggling to fill their ranks and SLMPD is no exception.
In 2023, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones approved 8-13% raise and retention bonuses for SLMPD officers, along with the ability for take-home cars.
“It is an honor to serve the people of St. Louis City, and I’m grateful to the many young applicants who will now begin their journey to becoming officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department,” Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said. “Chief Robert Tracy and the brave men and women of the SLMPD have my full support as they work to expand their ranks and make St. Louis City safer.”
The recruiting campaign was sponsored by the St. Louis Police Foundation, something SLMPD is incredibly grateful for. No taxpayer funds were utilized. The Foundation has been dedicated to delivering supplies, training and resources to police officers in the City of St. Louis since 2007 and St. Louis County since 2014.
“The mission of the St. Louis Police Foundation is to support SLMPD and its officers by responding to their needs,” St. Louis Police Foundation President and Executive Director Michelle Craig said. “We are proud of our contribution to their recruitment campaign, which has yielded exceptional results.”
Anyone interested in becoming a SLMPD officer can visit our recruitment website at www.slmpdrecruit.org, a one-stop shop for information on becoming a police officer, benefit information, application materials and stories from current officers who were called to serve.
