Join SPD

School Resource Officer Allan Amundson

The Springfield Police Department is excited to welcome you to our newly crafted recruitment page. Be on the lookout for new information, position postings, additional resources, and the opportunity to hear firsthand from our Officers!

Have questions? Want to talk with a member of the department? Interested in a tour or scheduling a ride-along?

Click Here to contact our recruitment team

About Springfield

Downtown Storefront

Downtown Springfield, One Block from the Springfield Justice Center

Springfield, Oregon is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, known for its breathtaking mountains, majestic trees, fantastic parks, and a multitude of arts and recreational activities. Situated in Lane County, 110 miles south of Portland, Springfield is within an hour of the Cascade Mountains and an hour from Oregon’s popular coast. Covering 15.84 square miles, the City is adjacent to I-5 and is within the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan – Area, with a population of more than 60,000.

Springfield is a family-friendly community where a healthy economy and numerous historical aspects of Oregon’s past have blended into a vibrant place to call home.

City of Springfield Website | Springfield Public Schools | More About Springfield!

About the Department

The Springfield Justice Center – Constructed in 2008; Comprised of the Springfield Police Department, Springfield Municipal Jail, & Springfield Municipal Court

The Springfield Police Department is a professional and community-focused organization employing over 120 people, between sworn officer, support staff, & jail personnel. 

In November 2022, Springfield voters renewed the Public Safety Levy which supports nearly one-third of the department’s budget. The renewal passed with the largest amount of support in the history of the measure, signaling a clear vote of support from our community members. 

There are five divisions within SPD: Operations, Operations Support, Detention, Business Services, and the Office of the Chief. To learn more about our divisions and department structure, click here.

The Springfield Police Department is committed to serving all members of our community with dignity, compassion, and professionalism.

Why SPD?

Law enforcement agencies all across the state, and the nation, are looking for the best and brightest to join their ranks. Here at the Springfield Police Department, we’re excited about what the future holds and even more thrilled that you’re considering applying. We hope you take a few moments to read further about what we believe makes SPD a great place to start, or continue, your career!

The annual SPD Open House attracts hundreds of community members every September

The Springfield community has shown support for the department in so many ways over the years. You’ll routinely see cards & posters expressing community appreciation throughout the department and the occasional homemade treat or ‘survival kit’ of granola bars, trail mix, etc. These small expressions of support are matched with the outpouring of support our staff receives when out in the community for events and calls.

In addition, many of our teams within the department (K9, Drones, etc.) are funded in part through generous donations from individuals within the community. Additionally, the voters of Springfield recently approved the renewal of Public Safety Levy by the largest margin in its history. Our department is fortunate to receive support in so many ways from the community that we’re proud to serve!

The folks within the Springfield Police Department are truly what makes us special. Our staff is constantly showing-up in new and thoughtful ways to support one-another. The staff of SPD are the greatest asset we could ask for and we’re excited for you to see that firsthand!

New Officer Bugh & Lateral Officer Oros at their swearing-in ceremony

At the Springfield Police Department, we recognize the importance of always striving for improvement. We believe that the potential we have as a department can only be realized by continuously reevaluating and assessing the ways in which we not only serve our community, but in how we prepare and equip our staff. Recognizing that, we prioritize providing trainings and opportunities for our staff to constantly grow and progress in their careers. Our officers are encouraged to approach every interaction as an opportunity to improve, while staying aware of evolving best practices in law enforcement.

Additionally, our department is proud of the opportunities provided to both new and lateral officers joining our department. New officers will receive in-depth, hands-on training for weeks before ever attending the DPSST Academy. Routinely, lateral officers will be placed in special assignments throughout the department within their first six months here. All of this is done in an effort to push our department, and our staff, to reach its full potential. 

Here are just a few of the opportunities & special assignments within the department:

K9 Handler | School Resource Officer | Motorcycle Officer (Traffic Team) | Drone Operator | Crisis Negotiation | Special Weapons and Tactics | Bike Patrol | Crash Investigation & Reconstruction | DUII & DRE Enforcement | Detective | Instructor (Defensive Tactics, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Firearms, etc.)

Our Command Staff represents nearly 150 years of cumulative law enforcement experience in dozens of roles across multiple agencies. They are continuously reassessing and evaluating the work we do here at SPD in an effort to support and encourage every member of the department. Whether its supporting creativity via in-house training opportunities, providing new and exciting professional development opportunities, or encouraging our officers to engage in proactive policing, SPD leadership is committed to best equipping our staff in all that they do. 

The city of Springfield is ideally situated just east of I-5 between the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. This location provides access to major arteries and is near the coast, rivers and mountains. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the abundant recreation opportunities the Willamalane Park and Recreation District offers from its 46 parks and 9 sports fields to its 29 miles of hiking and biking trails. The McKenzie River is world-famous for flyfishing, and whitewater rafting. Within a two-hour drive from Springfield, residents and visitors find many other outdoor recreational opportunities such as the Oregon Coast with world-class golf courses and skiing in the Cascade Mountains. Whether its hunting, fishing, swimming, or hiking, we’re surrounded on all sides by incredible outdoor landscapes that highlight the best of what Oregon has to offer!

The City of Springfield – A City of Opportunity

Looking to relax after a day out and about in the mountains, on the river, or on a hike? Springfield’s vibrant, historic downtown is regularly recognized in the media and community for its revitalization efforts. It has transformed into an arts and antiques haven, with the Emerald Art Center, numerous art galleries, extensive murals and public art, plentiful antique and resale shops, and the long running Second Friday Art Walk. Downtown is also home to the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater, which focuses on dance, musical presentations, full theatrical productions, and film festivals. Craft breweries and trendy local restaurants round out the scene downtown. Residents have access to a variety of other performing arts, such as symphony, opera, musical theater, and major college sports at the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. If you’re looking for a slice of what makes Oregon special, we’ve got it here in Springfield!

Hear From Our Officers

Hover over an image to hear what Officers have to say about SPD

Interested In Applying?

Positions are updated and posted regularly throughout the year. To view current open positions, Click Here! Don’t see a position posted? Send our recruitment team an e-mail about what position you’re interested in and we’ll follow-up!

Once you’ve located a listed position that you’re interested, be sure to complete the application and click ‘submit’ to start your process! Wanting to see firsthand what a day in the life of our Officers looks like? Ask a member of our recruitment team about scheduling a ride-along! Click Here to talk with a member of our recruitment team!

If you are interested in becoming a Springfield Police Officer you can expect the hiring process to be multi-phased, yet efficient. The steps are outlined below:

APPLICATION: Ensure you meet the minimum qualifications and submit your application, online, through the City of Springfield website. Applications that are complete will be reviewed to ensure that candidates meet eligibility requirements. Once the screening process is complete, you will be notified of the outcome via email.

TESTING: You will be contacted and given the testing date (usually within 2 weeks of the application deadline). The written test will be proctored by the City of Springfield HR Staff at a designated location within the city. Lateral applicants will NOT be required to complete the written exam.

ORPAT: Candidates will need to pass the Oregon Physical Ability Test (ORPAT) prior to moving on to the next phase of the process. The ORPAT test will be conducted on the same day as the written examination and will be offered to applicants who successfully pass the written test. https://springfield-or.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ORPAT.pdf

ORAL REVIEW BOARD: All applicants that successfully complete the ORPAT test will be invited to the Springfield Police Department (within 2 days) to participate in an oral-board style interview. This is typically conducted with a panel of three to four Springfield Police Department employees from various departments.

CHIEF/COMMAND INTERVIEW: If selected to move forward from oral boards, an interview with SPD command Staff, to include the Chief, is the next step. Prior to the interview, you will be asked to complete a pre-background questionnaire. Based on your performance in this interview, the Chief may make a recommendation for you to move to the next phase of the process, the Background Investigation.

CONDITIONAL OFFER: If you are selected to proceed to background investigation, you will be given a conditional offer of employment, subject to passing a psychological evaluation and medical evaluation.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: This is the most time-consuming part of the hiring process. SPD is looking for this with an extraordinary level of honesty and integrity. You will be asked to complete a background packet/personal history statement that will ask for things such as a detailed employment history, personal and professional references, a list of acquaintances, residences (10 years), Education, Military service (if applicable), Driving history (subject to verification), Financial history (subject to verification), Criminal/Legal history (subject to verification), and a General Topics Q&A. Honesty, above all things, is paramount when taking part in the background investigation.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION: Pre-offer psychological examinations are given to applicants to determine the applicant’s suitability for a career in law enforcement. Assessment techniques that may be used include: The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI); California Psychological Inventory (CPI); Police & Public Safety Selection Report (PPSSR); Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WIAS); Letter-Number Sequencing Test (LNST); Personal History Survey (PHS); Review of agency provided background investigation findings; and a clinical interview. The clinical interview (conducted by a licensed and contracted psychologist) may be conducted via teleconference using HIPAA compliant technology with end-to-end encryption.

MEDICAL EVALUATION: Medical exams will be performed by a contacted medical provider.

FINAL JOB OFFER: When all of the previous steps have been completed, you will be given a final job offer. The Office of Professional Standards will work with you to schedule a start date with a subsequent swearing in.

HIRING: Once hired, on-site training for new officers will be provided. The timeline and process may vary for laterals and transfers from other police departments.  Officers who do not possess a Basic Certification will be scheduled to attend the Basic Police Academy at DPSST in Salem, OR. This is a 16-week academy where students are expected to live on-site during the work week.

Lateral out-of-state officers

If you are an out of state certified Lateral Officers – please apply! The Springfield Police Department will provide guidance on how to complete the request for certification reciprocity. Below please find the certification waiver from the Department of Public Safety Standard and Training:  https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/CJ/CJForms/Waiverchecklist.pdf

Entry Level Police Officer

• High school diploma or G.E.D. certificate from an accredited school
• United States citizen, or obtain citizenship within 18 months of appointment

• 21 years of age by time of appointment

• Valid Oregon Driver’s License by time of appointment

• No felony convictions (Misdemeanor convictions will be reviewed based on job relevancy)

• Refrain from tobacco products while on duty

• Ability to pass a background investigation

• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen

• Ability to meet physical, medical and psychological requirements for the position (see Oregon Administrative Rule 259-008-0010 Minimum Standards for Employment as a Law Enforcement Officer: www.oregon.gov/DPSST)

Lateral Police Officer

We are interested in finding Police Officers who are in good standing with their current/ most recent employer as a sworn Police Officer for a recognized state, county, city or municipal entity and have at least two years of patrol experience. Those who are currently certified as Police Officers in Oregon, or able to obtain Oregon DPSST certification if a police officer in another state, are eligible to apply for the lateral police officer position. Police certification must be VALID and CURRENT. Military Police, federal officer, reserve officer, security officer and corrections experience do not meet the requirement for relevant experience.

*In addition to those an Entry Level Police Officer

• Be a Sworn Officer for a recognized state, county, city, or municipal entity with AT LEAST 2 years of patrol experience

• Valid and Current Police certification

Disqualifications

• Candidates not advanced after the Chief’s interview are ineligible to reapply to the same job for 2 years
• Previously failed background check (ineligible to re-apply for 5 years)

Compensation
Entry Level Police Officer:

  • Entry level hires start at $33.03/hr (approximately $68,700.00 annually) with annual increases
  • Additional pays are available to include a language incentive (5%), and education incentive pay (5%)

Lateral Police Officer

  • Laterals with AT LEAST 4 years of applicable experience start at pay step 4: $38.25/hr (approx. $79,560 annual). Candidates with less than 4 years of experience will be offered a pay step commensurate with their related experience.

Additional Premium pays:
• DPSST Intermediate: 5%
• DPSST Advanced: 10%
• Bachelor’s Degree: 5%
• Foreign Language Fluency: 5%
• ORPAT Incentive: 1%

Relocation reimbursement for actual costs up to $5,000 may be available if incumbent is relocating greater than 100 miles.

Benefits:

  • Benefits Include: medical, vision, dental, free access to the Wellness Center, free gym membership, enrollment in FireMed
  • Springfield Wellness Center: No charge medical center for City of Springfield and Springfield School District employees, retirees and their dependents.
  • City-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): The City will contribute $100 a month for single benefits enrollment, or $200 a month for two-party/ family enrollment on the employee’s behalf.
  • Cost-share rates for benefits: Employees are currently responsible for 5% of their coverage and the City generously picks up 95% of the cost. For example, medical and vision coverage for employee single coverage is $29.77/ month.
  • Oregon PERS retirement: Upon eligibility, the City pays 6% of salary into PERS on the employee’s behalf.
  • Additional options for deferred compensation plans where the employee can make pre-tax contributions on their own behalf.

Employee Benefits – City of Springfield Oregon (springfield-or.gov)

Springfield Police Association Labor Agreement

Follow Us @SPDOregon

Please consider joining us tomorrow at 9am for the annual The American Legion Post #40 Memorial Day Ceremony.Join us this Monday, May 29 at 9am for the 74th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Cannon. Cohosted by The American Legion Post #40 and the City.At Veterans Plaza, Willamalane Park across from McKenzie Willamette Hospital.Speaking this year will be Sean VanGordon Springfield Mayor, Lane County Commissioner David Loveall, and Springfield Police Department - Oregon Lt. George Crolly.Posting and retiring of the flag by Civil Air Patrol Mahlon Sweet Composite Squadron OR055.Opening and closing prayer by Grace Baptist Church Youth Pastor, Chris Rhoades.Westpoint Candidate Cadet Orion Van Buskirk will be leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.Battlefield Cross display by Troy Olsen of Springfield and Emerald Valley Armory, LLC while Willamette Leadership Academy PSA presents.Frank Blair will be reading "Soldier" and Tom Schwetz bugling "Taps."Springfield Elks will be posting flags and their Emblem Club will present the wreath.Special thanks to Boy Scout Troop 179 for setting up chairs and podium again this year!Please join us as we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. ... See MoreSee Less
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As we begin the countdown to our Annual SPD K9 Competition, we figured there's no better time to re-introduce the community to our amazing K9 Officers and their handlers!Today, we kick things off with our senior statesman and all-around good boy: Flex! Flex has been working for 8 years at SPD; 5 years with Sgt. Keetle and the last 3 with Ofc. Hargis. Flex came to the department from the Czech Republic with his name, but Ofc. Hargis thinks it fits, because he loves to show off! When he's not hard at work with Ofc. Hargis keeping our community safe, Flex loves to spend time in the water and can be found relaxing in his very own pool during the summer. Thank you to K9 Flex and Ofc. Hargis for all of your hard work!Want a chance to see Flex in action? Mark your calendars for the K9 Competition on June 17th from 12-3pm at Silke Field where this team will try to earn a spot on the podium for the second year in a row! ... See MoreSee Less
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May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month; serving as an opportunity for SPD to help reduce the stigma that unfortunately can accompany mental health. Data suggests that nearly 1 in 5 American adults experiences a diagnosable mental health condition each year and that 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition during their lifetime, with half of them developing conditions by the age of 14. We frequently come in contact with community members who are working through mental health related issues or are in crisis. Additionally, we must acknowledge that our own mental health plays a vital role in our wellbeing and how we “show-up” in our service to the community members of Springfield.SPD is committed to continuing our growth in support of our members internally and our understanding & training in relation to mental health. Whether it be our attendance at events like the NAMI Lane County walk this past weekend (where we got to hangout with our pal, Caesar The No Drama Llama) , the implementation of a peer support program for our members, or additional de-escalation training focused on supporting individuals in crisis. As a symbol of this commitment, our department designed the pictured green patches for members of SPD. These patches serve as a reminder to consider the effects of mental health on the individuals we interact with, in addition to prioritizing one's own mental health so that we can bring our best to the community that we're so proud to serve. ... See MoreSee Less
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Monday was an amazing day for the Springfield Police Department as we hosted a swearing-in & promotion ceremony for 7 individuals. Our already impressive staff saw the addition of three new officers, two lateral officers, a new community outreach coordinator, and the promotion of one of our own to sergeant.Our department is incredibly proud to welcome these folks to our already impressive staff. We are so thankful for the overwhelming amount of support that was shown by the community, fellow City of Springfield, Oregon Government employees, and elected officials in attending the ceremony. Congratulations & Welcome to Community Outreach Coordinator Solares, Ofc. Auxer, Ofc. Smallwood, Ofc. Rupp, Ofc. Brand, Ofc. Monson, and Sgt. Bazer! ... See MoreSee Less
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On Saturday, several members of the Springfield Police Department joined in to lend a hand in coordination with the City of Springfield, Oregon Government Development & Public Works' Annual Spring Clean-Up . The folks at Joe's Truck & Trailer Supply were kind enough to donate the use of a trailer for the day, which our staff was able to fill multiple times with large recyclable items from public spaces across the city. Thanks to everyone involved with the event and the folks who volunteered their time to make it an overwhelming success! ... See MoreSee Less
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Visits to the Cascades, hanging out on the Coast, floating the river, camping across the state.Chances are, with June upon us, many are making their summer plans. Of course, most people don’t plan on needing a blood transfusion. Yet hundreds of people in our community will need blood over the summer. Bloodworks Northwest asks that you please include donating blood to your summer “planning” list. With so many other plans being made, donating blood can get left off the list of things to get done. But the need for blood is constant. Make a summertime blood donation appointment today for our Springfield Justice Center Pop-Up Drive on May 30th, June 1st, & June 2nd. schedule.bloodworksnw.org/DonorPortal/GroupLanding.aspx?s=721B ... See MoreSee Less
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