The Southaven Police Department is changing its hiring and testing process for applicants seeking to become uncertified police officers, with the changes taking effect Nov. 5, 2026, according to a department announcement.
Written and physical fitness testing will be offered twice a month instead of every Thursday. Applicants must meet at least 70% of the department’s physical fitness standards, up from the previous 60% requirement. They also must complete and submit an employment application before being scheduled for testing.
Applicants must pass the written examination. Under the department’s established requirements, people with hand or neck tattoos are not eligible to participate in testing. The process includes a preliminary eligibility review, followed by a comprehensive background investigation for applicants who advance through the hiring process.
The department directed people interested in applying to its recruitment webpage at southavenpolice.org/196/Recruitment.
