Oberlin is located in Northwest Kansas, just 12 miles from the Nebraska border and 81 miles from the Colorado border. As the seat of Decatur County, Oberlin offers a welcoming environment with amenities for all ages, from nature walks to golden age activities. The city covers approximately 1.5 square miles and is surrounded by the scenic Kansas prairie and agricultural fields. Decatur County is home to about 2,700 people, with 1,650 residing in Oberlin.
Oberlin boasts an excellent school system, providing K-12 education through local district campuses. The community also includes a small Christian school and several home-schooled families. Several daycare providers serve the area, including county and school-operated centers.
If you are seeking a supportive rural community with a high quality of life, excellent schools, and opportunities for all ages, Oberlin may be the perfect fit for you!
About the Police Department
The Oberlin Police Department (OPD) is a dedicated team of four full-time Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs). Each full-time sworn LEO is assigned a vehicle and responds to calls as needed. The Sheriff’s Office maintains a 12-bed jail facility in the courthouse, located in Oberlin, which the OPD may utilize. While it is preferred that OPD officers live within city limits for on-call coverage and emergency callout needs, requests for outside residency may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The OPD and the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office enjoy an excellent working relationship. All city OPD officers are currently sworn deputy sheriffs with authority throughout the county.
About the Job
The Police Officer serves as a front-line representative of the City of Oberlin, responsible for maintaining public safety, enforcing laws, and fostering trust within the community. Under the direction of the Chief of Police, officers perform a wide range of duties including patrol, emergency response, investigation, and community engagement.
This role requires integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to ethical law enforcement in a rural setting. Officers are expected to uphold the values of transparency, professionalism, and service while working collaboratively with residents, businesses, and regional partners.
Minimum Qualifications
- At least 21 years of age
- Meet all standards and qualifications to be a certified Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Kansas
- Ability to possess a Kansas CPOST Full-Time LEO certificate
- Be in good standing with KS CPOST if currently certified in Kansas
Salary and Benefits
- Starting pay: $37,500 to $62,000 DOQ
- Overtime pay after 86.67 hours worked
- Call-out pay
- Pay increase upon successful completion of the Police Academy
- Room for advancement
- Paid vacation, sick, funeral, and personal days
- Full Medical/Dental/Vision benefits paid by the City for the employee
- Family benefit plans available at additional cost
- City cafeteria plan available
- City Sick Bank available for voluntary participation
- Paid MASA Ambulance transport insurance plan
- Paid Life Insurance policy
- KPERS Retirement
- $1,000 moving incentive
- Uniforms and safety equipment provided
- Assigned take-home vehicle provided
Modern equipment and technology, including:
· Modern patrol fleet of Dodge Durango’s
· New body cameras
· Modern radar equipment
· Modern radio equipment on the state 800MHz radio system
· CAD and RMS/JMS system brought online in 2023
· In-car laptops with CAD and RMS access
How to Apply
If you are excited about the opportunity to serve and grow with our community, we encourage you to apply! For questions or to express your interest, please contact Police Chief Brad Burmaster at policechief@oberlinkansas.gov or (785)475-2217. Apply online at https://oberlin-kansas.com/news/help-wanted-oberlin-police-department
If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know.
Diversity & Inclusion
The City of Oberlin is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
