Entry Level Police Officer

City of Arlington, Washington; Arlington (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Arlington, Washington seeks a dedicated law enforcement officer to maintain public peace, protect life and property, and enforce state laws and city ordinances. The role includes patrols, responding to emergencies, traffic control, investigations, and documentation for court proceedings.

Applicants must meet age and citizenship requirements, pass civil service, and complete required training within one year.

Qualifications

• Must be twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Must be United States citizen, lawful permanent resident or DACA recipient
• Criminal record free of any convictions which relate to fitness to perform the job.
• Pass Civil Service Examination process.
• Complete background investigation including criminal history and driving record.
• Must complete Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Patrol the city by vehicle and maintain continual observation of patrolled areas for evidence of illegal activity.
• Patrol on foot as necessary to inspect conditions and deter crime.
• Enforce motor vehicle operating regulations; apprehend violators, issue warnings or citations, and make arrests when warranted.
• Respond to emergency calls and assist drivers and pedestrians; direct traffic during abnormal situations.
• Prepare written reports with clear facts and observations for investigations and court proceedings.

Skills

Observation

Communication

Decision making

Reporting

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associates Degree in criminal justice or related field preferred

Job description

Individuals perform assigned law enforcement work necessary to maintain public peace and order, to protect life and property, to prevent crime, to apprehend suspected violators of the law, and otherwise to ensure enforcement of State laws and City ordinances.

Please note salaries listed are 2026 salaries.

• Patrol the city by vehicle. Maintain continual observation of areas patrolled including residential, business, rural and industrial facilities; observe for evidence of illegal activity in progress or which has already occurred or any other irregular activity which indicates need for attention.
• Patrol on foot as necessary to perform job thoroughly. Investigate conditions such as open doors, broken windows, and vehicles parked in suspicious locations.
• Use portable or car-mounted radio transmitters/receivers as necessary to exchange any and all job-related information.
• Enforce motor vehicle operating regulations. Apprehend violators, issue warnings or citations and make arrests or take other action as deemed warranted by the circumstances. As necessary, coordinate such activities with other law enforcement or government agencies in accordance with established policy.
• Operate radar unit to discover speed violations, perform routine radio checks of vehicle identification against current stolen vehicles and identify outstanding arrest warrants.
• Investigate and assist drivers and pedestrians in difficulty. Resolve such situations or refer to proper authorities.
• Direct traffic during abnormal situations such as accidents, fires or periods of congestion.
• Perform crowd control activities at public gatherings as warranted under particular circumstances including dispersal of unruly individuals or groups.
• Develop detailed knowledge of city street system, airport facilities, landmarks, local activities and habits of citizens and suspected or known criminals, and other patterns of public activity.
• Respond to any and all emergency calls, including traffic accidents, public or private altercations, robberies, burglaries, thefts, industrial or home injuries, water accidents and deaths.
• Respond to personally sensitive calls such as family disturbances, missing persons and domestic altercations. Exercise caution relative to personal safety, safety of others at scene; take appropriate steps to calm the parties as necessary to resolve the immediate situation.
• Assess the nature and urgency of the problem upon arrival at the scene of call, immediately determine the circumstances and persons in relation to nature of call, whether situation warrants routine or emergency handling, and whether other officers or superior officers should be called to the scene.
• Upon arriving at scene of crime, arrest or detain suspects for probable cause as warranted; take all steps necessary to preserve and control crime scene; may assist in the initial investigation, including interview of victim and witnesses.
• Report to scene of accidents; as necessary, administer first aid; summon medical personnel; control accident scene; interview principals, witnesses; prepare general sketch of accident scene noting details; and, complete standard accident report. Issue citations or make arrests as situation warrants.
• As required, make arrests or detain suspects employing level of physical force necessary only to control individuals as warranted under circumstances; handcuff and search individuals; advise individuals of rights; and transport to County Detention Facility.
• Appear in court to present evidence, facts, details of circumstances, and otherwise testify against persons accused of crimes; respond to questioning and cross- examination from prosecuting and defense attorneys.
• Prepare written reports of sufficient legibility and clarity that others without knowledge of the incident or situation can readily comprehend the facts, and assure that the reports can serve as the basis for subsequent investigations or for court proceedings and testimony; requires narrative writing, noting identifying features, times, places, etc.; must answer the questions "who, what, when, where, how, why."
• Explain content of law to persons involved in a dispute, describing the process of filing a formal complaint, the extent of law enforcement powers, and the responsibility of citizens to follow prescribed legal procedures; inform those involved of the law applicable to their situation and their alternatives, or refer to employee of higher classification.
• Conduct presentations before school groups and service organizations on law enforcement matters.
• Read, interpret and enforce applicable laws and ordinances in order to be prepared to quickly determine application of law to any incident encountered.
• In any incident, assess the sensitivity and complexity of the situation to decide expeditiously the course of action to take and whether and at what point it should be turned over to an employee of higher classification.
• Determine when persons being detained in any incident should know why they are detained and are aware of the law or violation; advise accordingly.
• Maintain composure and self-control under varied and adverse physical and/or psychological conditions, such as public harassment or heckling, ridicule, critical injury, situations or death by any cause; carry out official duties in a timely, objective and effective manner.
• Within parameters of departmental policy, develop and apply individual methods and techniques which enhance personal ability to persuade, influence and control individuals of varied backgrounds.
• Maintain continuous alertness to potential "worst case" reaction from any person questioned for violation of law; exercise caution in approaching the individual, be prepared for self- defense or defense of other individuals or property,and apprehend and detain individual when necessary.
• In driving police vehicle in emergency situations, make determination of when to use flashing lights and sirens, and how to drive in relation to own driving ability, weather conditions, traffic density, speed, etc., in order to respond to emergency calls or apprehend offender.
• Determine when and how to use firearms of the appropriate type in any specific situation consistent with departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to satisfactorily complete course work and training including in-service training in methods, procedures and techniques of law enforcement work presented by employees of higher classification in the department or by attendance at special schools.
• Ability to express self clearly and concisely in speaking and writing, and legibly in writing or printing.
• Ability to memorize and recall detail, e.g., names, faces, incidents, identification of objects.
• Ability to maintain composure and self-control under adverse conditions, e.g., public harassment, ridicule, critical injuries, death.
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and with respect for the rights of citizens.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees.
• Ability to perform duties and maintain personal conduct, attitude and appearance that conform to strict policies, procedures, discipline and within a "chain of command" management system.
• Ability to hold self in readiness at all times to answer calls, accept authority, obey orders of superiors and accept a strict personal and organizational code of conduct and ethics.
• Ability to adjust to a lifestyle that requires working rotating shifts and days of the week, including work on holidays, and being subject to overtime, holdover and call back at any time.
• Ability to maintain balanced perspective about life in general notwithstanding continuous exposure to the criminal element of society.

• Must be twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Must be United States citizen, lawful permanent resident or DACA recipient
• Criminal record free of any convictions which relate to fitness to perform the job.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Associates Degree in criminal justice or related field preferred.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License, or ability to obtain, and a driving record acceptable to the City.
• Pass Civil Service Examination process.
• Upon a conditional offer of employment, other examinations will include, but are not limited to, a pre-employment interview, psychological examination, polygraph examination, and complete background investigation including criminal history and driving record.
• Must complete Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy within one year of hire.

This position is represented by the Arlington Police Officers' Association.