Educational Benefits

The City of Bentonville and Bentonville Police Department believes in continuing education and wants to recognize those employees that have already completed advanced studies or working towards that goal. We encourage all employees to continue their professional education and the City currently offer the following add pays:

Associates Degree     

  • $75.00 / pay period ($1950.00 / year)

Bachelors Degree     

  • $100.00 / pay period ($2600.00 / year)

Masters Degree    

  • $150.00 / pay period ($3900.00 / year)

Additionally, after serving the citizens of Bentonville after one year the City offers $1500.00 reimbursement for each employee, per year. The classes have to be preapproved by the Department Head and Human Resources and employees must maintain a 3.0 or higher. 

Furthermore, the Bentonville Police Department has additional pay coinciding with the Arkansas State Certificate Program. Each "add pay" is based on an officer completing the educational requirements set by the State and years of service. Below is a summary of the minimum requirements and additional details can be located on the CLEST website.   

Basic     

  • Pay- None
    • In addition to meeting all requirement set forth by the Commission, each applicant must have completed a probationary period of not less than twelve (12) months with their present department
    • Shall have completed the required Basic Police Training Course or equivalent as determined by the Division.  

General

  • $75.00 / pay period ($1950.00 / year)
    • Shall possess the basic certificate
    • Shall have completed the Basic Police Training Course approved by the Division and have acquired the following combinations of education and training points, combined with the prescribed years of law enforcement

General

Intermediate

  • $100.00 / pay period  ($2600.00 / year)
    • Shall possess or be eligible to possess a General Certificate
    • Shall have satisfactorily completed six (6) semester hours of college English or its equivalent from a college or university, approved in accordance with CLEST Rules, with at least a 2.0 grade average on a 4.0 point scale
    •  Shall have acquired the following combinations of education and training points, combined with the prescribed years of law enforcement 

intermediate

Advanced

  • $150.00  / pay period ($3900.00 / year)
    • Shall possess or be eligible to possess an Intermediate Certificate
    •  Shall have acquired the following combinations of education and training points, combined with the prescribed years of law enforcement and have attained the college level indicated with an overall grade average of at least 2.0

Advanced

Senior 

  • $225.00 / pay period ($5850.00 / year)
    • Shall possess or be eligible to possess the Advanced Certificate
    • Shall have acquired the following combinations of education and training points, combined with the prescribed years of law enforcement and have attained the college level indicated with an overall grade average of at least 2.0

Senior