This is law enforcement work in the protection of life and property through patrol, investigation of a specialized nature, assistance to citizens, arrest and detention, and related activities. Work involves prevention of crime, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, investigations of a specialized nature, crime scene investigations, apprehension of criminals, internal investigations, special assignments, patrolling of assigned areas, enforcement of traffic regulations, accident and crime scene investigations. Work involves an element of personal danger and investigator/officers must be able to act without direct supervision and must be able to exercise independent judgment in meeting complex emergency situations. Work is performed with independence within established policies and procedures, and is reviewed by superiors through observation of the effectiveness of work performed and results through reports, observations, and discussions.

High school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or GED certificate issued by the appropriate state agency. In addition to possession of a valid high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate, the Basic Ability Test (BAT) is required of all applicants, except those applicants who have been previously APOSTC certified and who are required to complete the Refresher training for reinstatement of their Certification, or, those applicants possessing an earned Associate's Degree or higher Degree from a College or University accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), or its regional equivalent.

Individuals who are required to take the ACT WorkKeys Assessment, adopted as the official Basic Ability Test (BAT) for law enforcement, may test at any Alabama Community College within the State. The ACT WorkKeys Assessment is available nationwide. A fee of $45, payable to the community college, is required prior to testing. Should an applicant fail any segment of the three-segment test, the applicant is allowed to re-take that segment for an additional fee.

For complete information relating to the BAT and ACT WorkKeys Assessment requirements please read the entire text of Chapter Two (2) of the Alabama (APOSTC) Administrative Code, as amended. Also review the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of this website (https://www.apostc.alabama.gov/) under "What is the Basic Ability Test (BAT)?

Applicants must also possess and maintain a valid U.S. Driver's License; minimum of 20 years of age provided applicant turns 21 years of age prior to Police Academy graduation; United States citizenship; no conviction of a felony, or a misdemeanor involving force or violence, force related to domestic violence, or a crime of moral turpitude, perjury, or false statement. If an applicant has been a member of the armed forces of the United States, the discharge must be under honorable conditions.

Necessary Special Requirements:
Must meet specific requirements as stipulated by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission and other legal criteria as required:
Must meet all APOSTC Administrative requirements as set forth in Chapter 2 (650-X-2) “Required Standards for Appointees as Law Enforcement Officers and for Applicants for Certification as Law Enforcement Officers”; Must meet all APOSTC Administrative requirements as set forth in Chapter 4 (650-X-4) “Certification of Law Enforcement Officers."
Please visit https://www.apostc.alabama.gov/apostc-rule-book/ to review the APOSTC Administrative Code rules; APOSTC Administrative Code rules and website are subject to change.
Must pass Huntsville Police Academy curriculum as specified by the Chief of Police or his designee.

POLICE OFFICER HIRING PROCESS:

SUBMIT EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION BEFORE ATTENDING THE PHYSICAL AGILITY/ABILITY TEST

Physical Agility/Ability Test:
The Huntsville Police Department will conduct mandatory physical agility/ability tests. Eligible candidates must submit an application and successfully pass the physical fitness test for further consideration in the hiring process. Applicants are required to view the physical fitness test HPD APOST Demo Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnCtHM6x_Hc&feature=youtu.be. Applicants must present a valid driver's license and should also dress appropriately for the physical fitness test. Applicants who arrive late or fail to attend the mandatory physical fitness test will be eliminated from the hiring process for this announcement. The option of rolling over a physical fitness test score from a previous Police Officer announcement is not available.

For a complete calendar of all physical fitness test dates and times, please visit: https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/76th-Session-Police-Officer_Fitness-Testing-Schedule.pdf

Submission of Required Basic Ability Test Documentation:
Applicants that pass the mandatory physical agility/ability test will be given instructions on submitting the required Basic Aptitude Test documentation to the Internal Affairs Division of the Huntsville Police Department. BAT results are due to Internal Affairs by the deadline provided after successfully completing the mandatory physical agility/ability test. Applicants that fail to turn in their BAT results by their assigned deadline will be eliminated from the hiring process.

Supplemental Applications:
Applicants that pass the mandatory physical agility/ability test will be given instructions and a deadline on how to submit a supplemental background application. The supplemental background application must be completed and submitted to the Huntsville Police Department's Internal Affairs Division prior to the deadline that will be provided.

Applicants that fail to submit the supplemental application prior to the deadline provided in the instructions will automatically be eliminated from the hiring process. In addition, applicants will receive another deadline to submit required documents. Documents received late or failure to return the required documents will automatically eliminate the applicant from the hiring process.

Oral Interview:
Applicants that pass the mandatory physical agility/ability test and submit the supplemental application prior to the deadline may be scheduled for an oral interview.

Background:
A background investigation will be conducted on those selected to proceed after the oral interview board.

Polygraph:
After the background is complete, all applicants chosen to continue in the hiring process will be given a polygraph examination.

Psychological Examination:
A psychological examination will be administered to those applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment. A minimum score of 70% on the written psychological exam and recommendation for employment by the examining professional must be obtained for further consideration in the hiring process.

Final Selections:
Selection for Police Officer Cadet will be conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment supplemental application and polygraph examination, oral interview, background investigation, psychological test, drug test, and physical examination, and qualifications review. Applicants selected at this point may be hired as Police Officer Cadets and may begin employment prior to the start of the Police Academy.

Final selection for the Police Academy to become a certified Police Officer will be conditional upon maintaining a satisfactory background, passing a final APOSTC physical agility/ability test, and having all required documentation approved by APOSTC.

The duration of the hiring process may take up to 3-6 months.

For additional information please visit
https://www.joinhuntsvillepd.com/