Welcome to the recruitment page for the Carmel Police Department. We hope you find this page to be helpful and informative.
Please feel free to contact us at 317-571-2574 or email cpdrecruitment@carmel.in.gov with any questions you may have.

The Carmel Police Department is a great place to work. There are many opportunities to choose during your career as a Carmel Police Officer. Whether you want to be a School Resource Officer or a member of the SWAT team, there is something for every officer. We have some of the best benefits of any police department in the state and a community that is supportive of its police department.

Thanks again for visiting our website and learning more about the Carmel Police Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many times per year do you test?
A: We generally hold multiple processes each year, these processes will be held dependent upon the needs of the department and may open at any time.
We recommend that all interested persons fill out a job interest card in order to be notified when each process opens.

Q: How long does the testing process take?
A: The testing process takes approximately 4 months to complete.

Q: How many times is an applicant required to travel to Carmel during the process?
A: This will depend on the applicants success in the process. There are several steps in the hiring process that require the applicant to be physically present these are: physical and written testing, the oral interview, polygraph, Chief’s board and the psychological testing and PERF physical.

Q: How many officers do you hire every year?
A: The number of officers hired each year will be based on community needs, attrition and department budgetary constraints.

Q: Why is there a maximum age requirement of 40 years old?
A: The age requirements are governed by the Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF). The 1977 Police & Fire Fund has established these guidelines for any officer under this retirement system. You must be at least 21 years of age and cannot have reached your 40th birthday, unless you are a certified law enforcement officer who is currently (within the last 180 days) enrolled in PERF or are a veteran who has at least 20 years of service in the armed forces and is no older than 40 years and six months.

Q: What is the minimum age of retirement under PERF?
A: You can retire from PERF at any age as long as you have completed 20 years of service, however you are not eligible to collect retirement benefits until age 52. For example if an officer is hired at 32 years old, he/she can retire at age 52 with full retirement benefits. If an officer is hired at 21 years old, he/she can retire at 41 years old, but cannot collect retirement benefits until age 52.

Q: Does Carmel Police Department have their own academy?
A: No. Carmel Police Officers attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, Indiana for 16 weeks.

Q: How long is the Field Training Program?
A: The Field Training Program is 16 weeks long.

Q: Is the Field Training Program shortened for Lateral Officers?
A: Lateral Officers go through the same training as non lateral officers. Depending on the experience of the lateral officer and success in the program, he/she may be released to solo patrol at an earlier stage of the FTO program.

Q: Are Lateral Officers compensated for their experience?
A: Yes. Lateral Officers are compensated for their experience up to 4 years.

Q: What are the shift hours for the patrol officers?
A: They work a 14 day 2/2/3 schedule. 2 days on, 2 days off, 3 days on, 2 days off, 2 days on, 3 days off. Allowing 3 day weekends every other week.

Q: What are the residency requirements for Carmel Police Officers?
A: Carmel Police Officers must have adequate transportation into the City of Carmel and maintain telephone service to communicate with the department. However, only officers who reside in Hamilton or contiguous counties are provided a take home car after successful completion of the FTO program.

Q: How long is the hiring list good for?
A: The hiring list is good until the next process opens (generally one calendar year from the time of application).

Q: What specialty positions are available?
A: SWAT team, School Resource Officer, Field Tech, Investigations, Accident Reconstructionist, Emergency Vehicle Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Motorcycle Unit, Hostage Negotiator, Defensive Tactics Instructor, etc.

Q: When can an officer be eligible for a specialty assignment?
A: When a specialty assignment becomes available, an officer must have at least 2 years sworn service with a police department to be eligible.

Q: Do Carmel Police Officers have to purchase their own uniforms and equipment?
A: No. Uniforms and equipment are provided by the police department the first year. After the first year officers are given $1,400 uniform allowance per year to maintain their uniforms.