ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners approved a paid “pre-recruit” program that will let candidates who clear hiring screenings earn a salary while they prepare for academy training, KMOV reported.
The board is opening 15 trainee positions. Pre-recruits will be paid a prorated annual salary of nearly $57,000 for up to four months, according to the board.
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In the role, candidates will undergo supervised physical conditioning, departmental orientation, professional development and rotations through department divisions, according to the board.
“We cannot afford to lose qualified people who are ready to serve St. Louis simply because they are waiting for the next academy class,” said Board President Chris Saracino. “This is about turning our commitment to recruiting into action and giving future officers a reason to choose — and stay with — SLMPD.”
The training role is optional and will not affect eligibility for academy placement.
The St. Louis County Police Department launched a similar program in 2024. Of the the 34 pre-recruits that have moved through SLCPD’s program, 29 remain police officers, KMOV reported.
The county pays hired pew-recruits $19.31 per hour, the same rate as recruits in its academy. SLCPD pre-recruits work 40 hours per week while they wait for one of the two police academy classes to start.
Will paying recruits before the academy help agencies keep qualified candidates? Why or why not?
