What law enforcement background qualifies me for consideration for a Lateral Entry Patrol Officer position?
At the time of appointment, candidates must have successfully completed at least one year of continuous service as a full-time police officer with a city, county, state or municipal police agency and must not have been out of active law enforcement status for more than one year. The applicant must have successfully passed a probation period where required by the date of the anticipated appointment to the Kettering Police Department. The law enforcement experience must be as a municipal police officer, deputy sheriff, state trooper or titles having the same meaning. Military police, correction officers and private security officers are not eligible for lateral entry unless they also have the necessary law enforcement background that is required.

Will my sick leave balance be transferable?
Candidates employed in law enforcement in the State of Ohio (i.e., Ohio municipal, state or county service) can be credited any unused sick leave hours on record from their previous employing agency up to the City of Kettering's limit of 2,080 accrued hours. Candidates employed in law enforcement outside of Ohio will not be credited any unused sick leave hours on record.

Will my years of service be counted towards City of Kettering vacation accrual rates?
Candidates employed in law enforcement in Ohio (i.e., Ohio municipal, state or county service) can use their years of service to place them in their appropriate accrual rate category. Candidates outside of Ohio will not be eligible for years of service to count toward accrual rate categories.

Will my current pension plan be rolled over into the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund?
It is important for each candidate who is not already a member of the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund to be aware of his/her retirement system and the steps involved when transferring to a different retirement system. Based on the fact that any number of different individual situations could apply, any candidate having questions concerning the transfer or purchase of additional service credit (i.e., roll-over, purchase of out-of-state service, etc.) should contact the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund at 1-888-864-8363 or (614) 228-2975 to get a determination as to eligibility to establish additional service credit.

Will the O.P.O.T.C. evaluate my training and experience before the cut-off date for filing an application?
Only final candidates will be asked to submit a form from the O.P.O.T.C. evaluating training and experience, and the City will not eliminate a candidate because an evaluation form is not back on a certain date and time. In other words, the City is willing to work with the O.P.O.T.C. in obtaining necessary information.

What about seniority for shift preference, promotional exams and layoffs, etc.?
Seniority for these issues will be defined solely as time as a Kettering Police Officer.

How long will my application stay active?
Normally, we keep applications on file for one year with the possibility of an extension of an additional year.

Will I be notified one way or another about the status of my application?
The City of Kettering always notifies candidates regarding the status of their applications and the selection process.

If I am not selected during a recruitment, will I be allowed to reapply during future recruitments?
A candidate not chosen during one recruitment is not necessarily excluded from further consideration. All candidates not chosen to fill a current vacancy can participate in future recruitments to present additional information or data concerning the selection decision.