General Requirements

To apply for the position go to www.apply.ri.gov

Capitol Police Officer Job Description:

Protects the State Capitol and annexes, properties, and the adjacent state buildings, grounds and premises against the ordinary hazards of trespass, theft, fire and damage; maintains order on the premises; protects employees and the public while on the premises; provides various levels of security screening and law enforcement services in the thirteen (13) buildings throughout the state; performs related work as required.

Education

Candidates must have graduated from a senior high school or possess a general equivalency diploma (GED) issued by a state department of education.

Recruitment phases:

  1. Physical Agility Test
  2. Written Examination
  3. Oral Board Interview
  4. Extensive Law Enforcement Background Investigation
  5. Medical Exam
  6. Psychological Exam by Certified Psychologist
  7. Capitol Police Training Academy

Additional Requirements

  • An applicant must be a citizen of the United States.
  • An applicant must have reached the age of eighteen (18) years in order to be admitted as a candidate to the Training Academy. There is no maximum age of admission to the Training Academy.
  • Must meet the State of RI qualification requirements to carry weapons used in the performance of duty;
  • Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license
  • An applicant having any tattoos or other body art which is visible while wearing the Division's uniform will be denied the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. The use of flesh colored sleeve will be acceptable to conceal any tattoos that are visible from the upper arm to the wrist bone.
    • Tattoos cannot be located on the head; face; neck above the v-neck t-shirt line; inside the eyelid, mouth or ears; wrists; hands; or fingers.
    • Under no circumstances will tattoos that are considered offensive be permissible. These include but are not limited to extremist tattoos; indecent tattoos; sexist tattoos; or racist tattoos.

 

Personal Survey

The Rhode Island Department of Public Safety requires active, intelligent people with high moral, mental physical standards are demanded and maintained:

  • Are you prepared to undergo intensive academic and physical agility tests, an interview before an oral interview board, and psychological testing by a certified psychologist?
  • Are you willing to have your personal background thoroughly investigated?
  • Are you willing to abide by the rules and regulations of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety and the Rhode Island Capitol Police?
  • Are you willing to work mandated overtime?

 

Upon successful completion of all phases of the recruitment process candidates are chosen for appointment based on their place in the final rankings of the recruitment pool. Upon appointment, a recruit is sworn in as a member of the Rhode Island Capitol Police. They must then pass an abbreviated Field Training Program and begin a six (6) month probationary period. Assignments are based on the needs of the Department.

The Rhode Island Capitol Police have promulgated rules and regulations that must be adhered to by all members of the Department. The rules and regulations can be found on this website under "Forms, Rules & Agency Regulations" or in the Rhode Island Capitol Police Rules and Regulations.

Those not immediately chosen for appointment are placed on a reserve list maintained by the Department.