Entry Level/Lateral Police Officer

City of Talent; Talent (OR); On-site; USD 64,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Job summary

The City of Talent seeks qualified candidates for Police Officer to safeguard life and property, patrol the City, and enforce laws. You will respond to calls, operate department equipment, and collaborate with the community.

Requirements include U.S. citizenship, a high school diploma or GED, DPSST certification or ability to obtain it, and a valid Oregon driver’s license. First review is October 9, 2026, with benefits provided.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old at appointment.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have or obtain Oregon Driver’s License by appointment.
• Must have a good driving record.
• Must meet DPSST standards regarding criminal history.

Responsibilities

• Perform duties in the best interest of public safety.
• Work day, evening, or night shifts in any weather.
• Operate police department equipment ( firearms, patrol vehicles, radio, etc.).
• Patrol City, respond to calls for service, and take appropriate action.
• Work overtime assignments as required.
• Respond to callouts from on- or off-duty status as required.
• Conduct timely and thorough investigations of all reports for the police department.

Skills

Verbal communication

Listening skills

Reading & Writing

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Opportunities

Use the Government Jobs tab to search through your municipality's employment opportunities. Subscribe to job posting notifications to be automatically alerted of the latest career opportunities by clicking on the Notify Me® button.

A police office is charged with the responsibility of fulfilling the police mission of protecting life, property, and preserving order; prevents and represses crime through patrol and investigative activities; enforces city ordinances, state and federal laws; apprehends offenders and secures compliance in lesser non-criminal matters; performs other related activities in assisting the public; preforms other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
• Must have or be able to obtain by the time of appointment, and Oregon Driver’s License.
• Must have a good driving record.
• Must meet Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) standards regarding criminal history.
• Must pass reading & writing examination testing in accordance with (IAW) DPSST standards.
• Must be proficient in verbal communication and listening skills.
• Must be able to pass a comprehensive background investigation.
• Must pass medical and psychological examinations IAW DPSST standards, if required.
• Must be currently DPSST police certified or able to achieve DPSST certification within time limits established by DPSST.

Typical Duties

• Perform all duties consistent with the best interest of public safety.
• Work assigned day, evening, or night shifts in any weather.
• Operate police department equipment such as firearms, patrol vehicles, radio equipment, speed measurement equipment, and any other assigned equipment.
• Patrol all areas of the City, properly responding to calls for service and taking appropriate action(s) for the incidents that have occurred orconditionsthathavebeenobserved.
• Workovertimeassignmentsasrequired.
• Respondtocalloutsfromoffdutystatusasrequired.
• Maketimelyandthorough investigationsofallreportsmade tothepolice department during assigned shift or as assigned bya supervisor.
• Identify and protect crime scenes; safeguard, collect, and process evidenceandotherpropertyconsistentwithtraininganddepartment policy.
• Makearrests asnecessary andconsistent withthelaw,trainingand department policies.
• Useforceasnecessary andconsistent withthelaw,training,and department policies.
• Perform traffic violation prevention and enforcement and respond to andinvestigatetrafficaccidents.
• Giverequiredtestimonyinvarioustypesofhearingsandtrials.
• Developspecializedskillsandknowledgeasrequired.
• Becomefamiliar with andremainup-datedonapplicable federalandstate laws and local ordinances and be able tointerpret and apply them to incidents reported and/or observed.
• Knowandcomplywithallapplicabledepartment policies,procedures, rules, and directives.
• Coordinate withcommunity partnerstoidentifyrootcausesofcrimeand quality of life detractors in the community; assist indesigning and implementing solutions to those identified problems.
• Although supervision isnot normally aresponsibilityofpositions inthis classification,officersmayberequestedtoprovideworkguidanceand/or training to new officers.

Salary Range:$63,816 - $81,444 plus possible incentives (this range is in the process of being bargained)

Terms:Full-time–40hoursperweek /non-exemptwithbenefits

First review will take place on October 9, 2026. Position will be open until filled.

Workplace Accommodation Notice

The City of Talent is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other classification protected by law.