City approves hiring incentives for Springfield Police Department

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – City leaders met today to discuss and approve an incentive to help the Springfield Police Department hire more officers.

The incentive offers recruits a enlistment bonus and also establishes a student loan repayment plan.

New recruits receive a $5,000 bonus for joining the force, and officers from another department receive $10,000.

The department also plans to offer a student loan repayment plan to new officers with existing student loan debt. Eligible individuals would receive up to $2,500 per year for five years, but no more than $12,500 in total.

There are currently around 50 positions to be filled in the department.

The police academy is scheduled to begin in September 2024. You can find information and an online application on the website here.