Capitol Police Officers and Capitol Area Guards are assigned to serve at the state's Capitol and government-owned buildings in Topeka, Kan. Capitol Police Officers are certified law enforcement officers who enforce traffic laws, regulate traffic flow around state buildings, investigate crashes and crimes reported on state-owned property, administer emergency medical assistance, assist employees and visitors at the Capitol Complex, and provide security at Cedar Crest (the Governor's residence), State Capitol, Kansas Judicial Center, and Memorial Building.
Capitol Area Guards provide security and protection for state property and state employees, including performing routine security inspections, responding to emergency calls and other calls for assistance, monitoring the surveillance system for the Capitol Complex, and assisting state employees and visitors at the Capitol Complex.
Capitol Police Communications Specialists are stationed at the troop's Communications Center in Topeka, Kan. For more information, visit the Career Opportunities link for Communications Specialists.
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- Must be a U.S. citizen of at least 21 years of age
- Possess a high school diploma or G.E.D.
- Free of conviction of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal or state penitentiary
- Good physical and mental condition
- Weight must be proportional to height
- Possess a valid Kansas driver's license
- Must pass hearing and vision standards
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HIRING PROCESS
Candidates are screened through an application process. Successful applicants are interviewed by a board of KHP personnel. A background investigation and polygraph precede any offer of employment.
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TRAINING
Capitol Police Officers receive nine or more weeks of law enforcement training at an approved training facility in Kansas, followed by 70 days of on-the-job training. Recruits receive extensive training in the following areas:
- Traffic and criminal laws
- Misdemeanor and felony arrest techniques
- Crash investigation
- Interpersonal Relations
- Use of firearms
- Drug interdiction
- Defensive tactics
- DUI apprehensions
- Pursuit and defensive driving techniques
- Emergency medical assistance
- Court testimony
Capitol Area Guards receive a minimum of six weeks of on-the-job training at the Capitol Complex.
Capitol Police Communications Specialists receive 13 weeks of intensive on-the-job training in various aspects of law enforcement telecommunications. They receive detailed and technical training in law enforcement computer services, including NCIC, NCIC 2000, NLETS, EPIC, ALERT, and Criminal History.
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SALARY
Capitol Police Officers I – Pay Grade 23
- Hourly – $16.16
- Annually –$33,612.80
Capitol Area Guard I – Pay Grade 15
- Hourly – $ 10.94
- Annually –22,755.20
Communications Specialist I – Pay Grade 17-step 10
- Hourly – $13.95
- Annually –$29,016.00
Promotions
Capitol Area Guards I are eligible for promotion to Capitol Area Guards II and receive an accompanying salary increase. A Capitol Area Guard I is required to have a minimum of six months of experience to be eligible for Capitol Area Guard II.
After seven years experience, Capitol Police Officers I are eligible to promotion to Capitol Police Officers II and receive an accompanying salary increase. Capitol Police Officer III is a first-level supervisory position and requires a minimum of five years experience as a Capitol Police Officer I or II.
After two years of service, Communications Specialists I are eligible for promotion to Communications Specialist II and receive an accompanying salary increase. With additional years of service, promotions may become available for Communications Specialist Supervisor.
Retirement
Capitol Area Guards and Troop K Communications Specialists are members of the Kansas Public Employees' Retirement System and are eligible to retire with full benefits at the age of 65, at the age of 62 with 10 years of service credits, or at any age when combined age and years of service equal 85 credits.
Capitol Police Officers are members of the Kansas Police & Fire retirement program. Members may retire at age 50 with 25 years of service, age 55 with 20 years of service, or age 60 with 15 years of service. KP&F members have a maximum of 32 years of service.
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BENEFITS
- Opportunities to move into other positions within the Kansas Highway Patrol, such as Motor Carrier Inspector or Trooper
- Professional and rewarding career with a premier law enforcement agency
- Promotional opportunities
- Competitive salary
- Group health and dental insurance
- Optional group life insurance
- Worker's compensation protection
- Optional individual retirement account
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- Advanced educational opportunities
- Uniforms and equipment provided
- Uniform cleaning allowance
- Firearms and vehicle provided for Capitol Police Officers