2025-2026 Police Officer Lateral

City of Oregon City; Oregon City (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Banked vacation time

Banked sick time

Job summary

The City of Oregon City is seeking a Lateral Police Officer. Lateral Officers are evaluated on years of service, state certification, and background, with added pay for DPSST certifications. Qualified candidates may receive banked vacation and sick time.

The city emphasizes a comprehensive background check and a strong commitment to public safety. New hires accrue vacation time with experience and will be evaluated through a rigorous process.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; DPSST certification preferred or obtainable.
• Background investigation, medical exam, drug screen, and psychological evaluation required.
• Any satisfactory combination of experience and training acceptable; mileage to be determined by the City.

Responsibilities

• Patrols designated areas to deter crime and enforce traffic laws.
• Issue citations, serve warrants, arrest suspects, and complete accurate reports.
• Respond to emergencies, secure scenes, administer first aid when needed.
• Investigate traffic accidents and initial crime scenes; collect evidence.
• Develops contacts and maintains information on crime trends and suspects.
• Perform duties such as court appearances, prisoner transfers, and transport as needed.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Reading laws

Stress management

Clear communication

Computer skills

Interpersonal skills

Firearms handling

Investigative techniques

Attention to detail

Vehicle operation

Physical fitness

Education

High school diploma or GED

College coursework in criminal justice or related field

Job description

The City of Oregon City is recruiting for a Lateral Police Officer. A Lateral Police Officer is defined based on total years of previous service as a full-time sworn Police Officer, who is currently Oregon DPSST certified at another (or other) Law Enforcement Agency (or Agencies) inclusive of any time previously served at the Oregon City Police Department or based on having at least two consecutive years of experience and certification in an equivalent out of state agency as determined by the City. A Lateral Police Officer also includes a candidate who recently retired or separated in good standing from another Oregon Law Enforcement Agency from the date of the application and who can reinstate their DPSST basic certification without attending the basic training academy consistent with DPSST rules and regulations. The City evaluates lateral candidates based on years of service, state certification, background investigation, and experience. Lateral Officers will receive additional pay for DPSST Certification: 5% for Intermediate and 10% for Advanced DPSST Certification. Qualified candidates may be eligible to receive up to 80 hours of banked vacation time and 80 hours of banked sick time. New hires will accrue vacation time at a rate commensurate with their time as a sworn police officer.

The recruitment will remain open until filled; however, may close at any time.

This is full performance law enforcement and crime prevention work. Employees occupying positions of this class are responsible for the protection of life and property through enforcing statutes and laws; rendering emergency assistance to the public in a wide variety of situations; performing standard crime and accident prevention duties; serving arrest warrants; dispatching police services; issuing citations for violation of city ordinance and state statutes; identifying and recovering stolen property; investigation of traffic accidents and initial investigation of crimes; deciding whether to arrest or not, as well as when to use force or firearms. Work involves an element of personal danger and incumbents are responsible for enforcing statutes and laws with minimal supervision. Work is occasionally reviewed while it is being performed but it is primarily reviewed by a supervisor who reads reports and evaluates results of completed work. During their probationary period, officers receive classroom and on-the-job training related to police work applying these to work situations. They are transferred from one shift to another to acquaint them with various aspects of work within the department. Throughout this period, officers perform the full range of police officer duties under the immediate supervision of an experienced police officer or high graded person. They are also required to obey all orders from superior officers and all rules and regulations of this department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Patrols a designated area of the city in a police patrol vehicle or on foot to deter and discover crime and enforce traffic ordinances; does on-the-scene investigations of incidents, aids persons in trouble, and renders other public services as needed.
• Issues citations to violators of city ordinances and state statutes; serves warrants of arrest; arrests persons on misdemeanor and felony charges; handcuffs and searches arrested persons and secures their custody; completes necessary reports concerning the alleged crime, the circumstances of arrest, evidence obtained and the names of witnesses, victims, and complainants.
• Responds to reports of possible crime and takes initial action as situations require, to secure the scene; administers emergency first aid; interviews available victims and witnesses; gathers evidence and arrests suspects; completes incident and arrest reports; investigates persons suspected of being engaged in crime; ascertains and secures evidence pertaining to alleged crime; arrests suspects for probable cause; and requests specialized assistance as needed.
• Responds to automobile accidents; administers emergency first aid and summons necessary assistance; interviews principals and witnesses; makes general drawings of accident scenes, noting details and completes standard accident reports; issues citations or makes arrests as situation warrants.
• Investigates and assist drivers in stalled vehicles and pedestrians who appear to be hurt or in trouble; interviews persons with complaints or inquiries, gives information on laws and ordinances, and attempts to resolve the problem or to direct them to proper authorities.
• Investigates family disputes and reports of maltreatment of children; takes principals into custody, as needed, or refers them to appropriate agencies, such as juvenile and medical authorities.
• Performs guard duty in court or serves as bodyguard to public officials or threatened persons; transfers prisoners to and from jails, testifies in court.
• Performs specialized duties depending upon individual officer's background and abilities and the needs of the department and are required to maintain their assigned departmental equipment.
• Perform physical requirements associated with the position; including the ability to walk, run, jump, stand, lift, sit, restrain combative individuals, drive for long periods of time, and other physical requirements as determined by DPSST.
• Develops contacts to obtain information about crime, maintains contact with paroled criminals and suspects at large.
• Broadcasts and receives messages; maintains contact with and notes status of field units.
• Processes and secures services or information required by field units; relays requests to proper departmental division.
• Not all work to be performed is specifically described.

• Skill in analyzing situations quickly and objectively to recognize actual and potential dangers and to determine proper course of action.
• Skill in reading and understanding laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
• Skill in coping with stress situations firmly, tactfully, and with respect for individual rights.
• Skill in communicating clearly, verbally and in writing.
• Skill in the use of computers.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with fellow employees and with citizens from varied racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
• Skill in developing skill in the use and care of a variety of firearms.
• Skill in learning and using investigative techniques and procedures.
• Skill in observing and remembering detail.
• Skill in learning to drive light duty passenger vehicles skillfully.
• Physical strength and agility sufficient to perform the work of the class.
• Skill in the use and care of firearms.

Graduation from high school, or the equivalent GED certificate.Preference will be given to previous experience in law enforcement or those who have a basic DPSST certificate.College level law enforcement course work is desirable but not required.Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training, which ensures the ability to perform the work, may be substituted for the above.

The Process

will consist of screening applicants based on experience and training as described in the job description. The most qualified applicants will be invited to an interview. Employment is contingent upon passing an extensive background investigation, medical examination, drug screen and psychological evaluation.

The City of Oregon City is an Equal Opportunity employer. The City will continue to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion, gender, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or protected veteran status. It is the City’s policy to prohibit workplace harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of protected status. The City of Oregon City is committed to creating a respectful and professional work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation and that promotes employment opportunities.

Persons of color, women and qualified individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. If you wish modification of the selection process in order to accommodate a disability, please make your request in writing and submit it with your required application materials.