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1. What is the work schedule of a Police Officer?

Hays Police Officers work 12-hour shifts. Each shift begins & ends at 6:30. Officers change from day shift (0630 – 1830) to night shift (1830 – 0630) every four months. The 12-hour work schedule allows officers to have half of the year off. A typical schedule follows a two-week schedule. A sample schedule* is below:

*Note that Police Officer schedules also include overtime, court appearances, & off duty meetings. Changes to cover staff shortages & departmental needs may change your schedule as well.

2. What can I expect my first year on the job as a Police Officer?

New Police Officers begin their employment with the Hays Police Department on a mutually agreed upon date. After employed, the Hays Police Department will sign you up for the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC). Between your start date & the next open slot for the KLETC, you will begin your 14-week field training program. This is where you are paired up with other officers to start learning the aspects of the Police Officer position. Your 14-week field training program will be put on hold while you attend the 14-week KLETC in Hutchinson, KS. During your 14 weeks at the academy, you will live in the KLETC dorms Sunday night through Friday evening. You will drive home Friday night & return to KLETC Sunday night. All drive time & training time will be paid for. Once you graduate KLETC, you will finish your field training program.

3. As a Police Officer applicant, can I do a ride along with the Hays Police Department?

Applicants are encouraged to call the Hays Police Department at 785-625-1030 & ask for the shift supervisor to schedule a ride along with a Hays Police Officer. This will give you an idea of what to expect as a member of the Hays Police Department. It will also give you an opportunity to get your questions about the position, department, & selection process answered by someone who went through the same process.

4. Will my out of state Law Enforcement Certification transfer to Kansas?

Kansas law (K.S.A. 74-5608a) allows the director of KLETC to recommend that the KSCPOST grant reciprocity certification to any person who has been duly certified under the laws of another state or territory if, in the opinion of the director, the requirements for certification in such jurisdiction equal or exceed the qualifications required to complete satisfactorily the basic course of instruction at the training center. Kansas reciprocity training is two weeks long.

Reciprocity Details

The State of Kansas does have a conditional Reciprocity certification program if the law enforcement officer applicant meets certain requirements. Applicants for conditional reciprocity must be employed by a recognized Kansas law enforcement agency and cannot at the time of the reciprocity application process been out of law enforcement for more than five years. Certified law enforcement officers from another state whose basic training requirements meet or exceed the Kansas requirement during that same time period, or those eligible for certification (who have recently completed a basic training program that meets or exceeds Kansas requirements) may be eligible for conditional reciprocity. Pursuant to an inter-agency agreement with the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training, the director of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center conducts all evaluations of an individual's training regarding their eligibility for Reciprocity in Kansas.

Any applicant (at the time of making application for conditional reciprocity) who has been out of full-time law enforcement for more than 5 years is not eligible for conditional reciprocity and must attend a 14-week basic training program to gain Kansas certification.

KLETC will provide a cursory review to determine possible eligibility for conditional reciprocity. To do so requires:

1. A copy of the officer's basic training curriculum listing the course title and number of hours allocated to each topic. Course Schedules will not be evaluated in lieu of the course curriculum listing;
2. If certified in another state, provide your law enforcement employment history;
3. If certified in another state, provide a listing of all law enforcement-related continuing education & hours received since completing your basic training.

Based on a cursory review, KLETC will provide an "UNOFFICAL" preliminary determination based on the documentation submitted. KLETC will not issue any formal determination until after the formal application process is initiated and certified documentation has been received during the application process from the issuing authority. Employment with a recognized Kansas law enforcement agency must precede the formal Reciprocity application process.

5. Can you tell me about the Community of Hays?

Hays, Kansas (pop. 20,500), is a university community serving as a regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, arts, & recreation for the western half of Kansas - serving a population of nearly 100,000. This excellent community is recognized among the top Kansas cities in entertainment, health, arts, culture.

Hays is home to Fort Hays State University (FHSU), a regional comprehensive university with over 14,000 students, known for its innovation & entrepreneurship.  FHSU is the fastest growing university in the Kansas Regents system. The Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the FHSU campus is home to the Encore Series, Hays Symphony, & other national & world caliber performances. 

Hays Med, part of the University of Kansas Health System, is a major employer with more than 1,000 employees.  Hays Med is home to the DeBakey Heart Institute of Kansas & one of the top rural medical centers in the United States. 

The Bricks in Historic Downtown Hays has unique shopping, galleries, eateries, & entertainment. Hays boasts excellent recreational facilities including: full service gyms, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, an extensive recreational program, & excellent opportunities for walking, running, & biking.  Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes providing fishing, boating & other water sports. Bike Hays contains 21 miles of connecting trail system.

The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting jet service to Denver with several flights in each direction.

More information about the City of Hays, KS at www.visithays.com.

6. Can I get notified when a position is opened?

Anyone wishing to be notified when a job becomes available may sign up for Notify Me.

7. How do I apply for a job.

You may find all open positions at https://www.haysusa.com/Jobs.aspx. Once you click on the position you are interested in, there will be a link that says "Apply Now". You will apply there. The application is mobile friendly. Once you apply you will be taken to a confirmation page. That page confirms your application has been received. If you have questions if your application was received you may call HR at 785-628-7320 or email hr@haysusa.com.  

8. Can I turn in an application even though the job is not opened?

Applications are accepted for open positions only. Anyone wishing to be notified when a job becomes available may sign up for Notify Me.

9. How do I know that my application was submitted?

Applicants can confirm that an application was submitted when you are shown the confirmation page. You may also contact HR at 785-628-7320  or hr@haysusa.com to verify an application was received.

10. If I apply but I am not selected for a position, will I be notified?

Applicants that are not selected to continue on for testing or interviewing will receive communications that they have not been selected.

11. Can I submit a resume instead of completing an application online?

You must complete an online application to be considered for any position. You may attach a cover letter and/or resume to the online application if you’d like.