Police officers hired on or after January 1st, 2026<\/strong> must meet all the requirements listed below to be eligible for entering the lateral employment program: We will accept applications from individuals employed within any of the following listed categories or agencies of police\/law enforcement:<\/span><\/p>\n The hiring process for eligible lateral candidates will be the same as the standard police officer hiring process. However, the following exceptions may be made for candidates who are currently members of the 1977 Indiana Police and Fire Pension Fund (PERF)<\/b>:<\/p>\n As a lateral hire at the Columbus Police Department, you qualify for a higher salary, based on previous experience as a law enforcement officer. For example, if you join CPD with 5 years of experience, your base pay is $80,232.75, instead of $74,984.<\/p>\n The table below represents the pay scale for 2026.<\/p>\n\n
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Benefits of being hired under the lateral employment program<\/h3>\n
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Lateral Hire Pay Structure<\/h2><\/div>
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\n\t Years of Service<\/strong><\/th> Base Salary<\/strong><\/th> Longevity<\/strong><\/th> Total Salary<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n \n\t 1<\/td> $74,984<\/td> $1,049.75<\/td> $76,033.75<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 2<\/td> $74,984<\/td> $2,099.50<\/td> $77,083.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 3<\/td> $74,984<\/td> $3,149.25<\/td> $78,133.25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 4<\/td> $74,984<\/td> $4,199.00<\/td> $79,183.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 5<\/td> $74,984<\/td> $5,248.75<\/td> $80,232.75<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 6<\/td> $74,984<\/td> $6,298.50<\/td> $81,282.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 7<\/td> $74,984<\/td> $7,348.25<\/td> $82,332.25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t 8<\/td> $74,984<\/td> $8,398.00<\/td> $83,382.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<\/div>