Lateral Police Officer

City of Fife; Fife (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fife is seeking a Lateral Police Officer with proven performance in the last 24 months. The role emphasizes proactive policing, emergency response, law enforcement duties, and community safety within Fife, WA. Training through the WA academy may be required for non-certified applicants.

A $10,000 signing bonus is offered, paid in two installments, with potential repayment if employment ends within three years (disability/death excluded).

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of two years in a like position within the last 24 months.
• Minimum age 21 and U.S. citizenship with WA Driver's License.
• Successful completion of the WA Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
• Pass a polygraph, psychological, medical, and financial review.
• No disqualifying convictions; CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Lateral applicants may need training curriculum hours if not WSCJTC certified.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive police protection and enforce laws to safeguard lives and property.
• Drive patrol vehicle, monitor for disturbances, and take appropriate action.
• Investigate suspected conditions; prepare reports and testify when required.
• Provide direction to individuals and coordinate with other agencies.
• Apprehend violators, conduct traffic stops, and handle evidence where needed.
• Respond to emergencies, administer first aid, CPR, and rescue services.

Skills

Proactive policing

First aid CPR

Court testimony

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Description

$10,000 Hiring Bonus***

Lateral Police Officer Hires From Another Law Enforcement Agency Either In-state Or Out-of-state Shall Receive a $10,000 Hiring Bonus, Payable As Follows

• $5,000 will be paid on the first regularly scheduled payday after the lateral hire becomes an City of Fife employee.
• $5,000 will be paid on the first paycheck after the lateral hire successfully completes the lateral hire's probationary period.

If the lateral hire's employment with the City terminates for any reason within three years of hire date except for disability or death, the lateral hire shall pay back to the City all of the bonus received. Hiring bonuses are taxable income to the employee and must be included in the employee's compensation for the year in which they are paid. All applicable payroll taxes and withholdings will be deducted.

Lateral Police Officer means that you have a minimum of two (2) years satisfactory performance in a like position within the last 24 months.

Lateral applicants who have not been certified through Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (WSCJTC) will need to provide their basic training academy curriculum/syllabus hours as part of their application.

Under the direction of an assigned Police Sergeant, perform pro-active police protection and other services to safeguard the lives, property and constitutional rights of the citizens of Fife; respond to crime and accident scenes, emergency situations and other requests for assistance; detect, apprehend and arrest criminals; enforce the laws and ordinances of the City; perform a variety of specialized duties as assigned.

Community Information

With a population of just over 11,000 and a thriving business environment, Fife offers a small-town feel with big-city ideas. Fife has grown into an accessible business hub – linking people, cities, jobs and attractions.

Located along Interstate 5 with close proximity to Tacoma, Sea-Tac International Airport and the Port of Tacoma, Fife is a center of industry and commerce in the Puget Sound.

Open space, vibrant parks, outdoor public art, close-knit neighborhoods and great schools make Fife an ideal place for families. There is no shortage of family-friendly events in Fife and it is located just minutes from Tacoma's renowned museum district. And, Mount Rainier really is as close as it looks.

Fife covers roughly 5.7 square miles of land between the Puyallup River and Puget Sound.

Department Information

Mission Statement:

The Fife Police Department partners with the community to strengthen mutual respect to ensure public safety for all and identify and solve problems and solve problems.

Vision Statement

Fife is a safe community of choice for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Value Statement

• We are respectful.
• We value partnerships.
• We are innovative.

Current Hiring Status

Multiple openings

Lateral applicants do not test through Public Safety Testing, instead you can apply directly by visiting the City of Fife job line to apply as a lateral Police Officer. Lateral applicants do not complete a written or physical agility test. Upon application screening, lateral applicants are scheduled for oral boards on an as-need basis.

The eligibility list is a continuous listing and maintained as applications are received with oral board interviews conducted on an as-needed basis. Vacancies are filled by Civil Service "rule of three" with the top three candidates forwarded to the appointing authority for background investigation & selection as vacancies occur.

Essential Duties

• Provide a variety of pro-active police protection and other services to enforce the laws and ordinances of Fife and safeguard the lives, property and constitutional rights of citizens.
• Drive patrol vehicle in an assigned area, observing for conditions and activities in which there appears to be potential or actual harm to persons or property, disruption of public order, or any other violation of law.
• Respond to observed or reported suspected or actual harmful or illegal conditions or activities through investigating activities or taking appropriate action required for preventing, subduing or alleviating such conditions or activities.
• Prepare formal descriptive reports of, and provide testimony about potentially, suspected, or actually harmful or illegal conditions or activities, and of actions taken in response to such conditions or activities, for use by the department, attorneys and other public agencies; complete a variety of forms and issue citations as appropriate.
• Provide direction or information to individuals or groups for the purpose of preventing, subduing or alleviating harmful, dangerous or illegal situations.
• Apprehend traffic violators, issuing citations, warnings and drug and alcohol testing activities; transport, process and book offenders according to established procedures.
• Respond to a wide variety of calls from citizens in need of first aid, information and general assistance; provide first aid, CPR and rescue services at crime scenes, accidents and other emergency situations.
• Communicate with other City personnel, law enforcement agencies and health care providers to coordinate efforts, resolve problems and exchange information.
• Utilize and maintain a variety of specialized equipment such as firearms, police vehicles, radios, baton, handcuffs, flares, breath testing equipment, and others according to established procedures; maintain proficiency in driving and the use of firearms; operate a computer as assigned.
• Testify in court concerning investigations conducted and arrests made in the course of assigned duties.
• Participate in various in-service training programs and conduct law enforcement classes in schools and other community groups as directed.

Education, Experience & Other Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent
• Minimum of two (2) years satisfactory performance in a like position within the last 24 months
• Minimum age 21 years
• Citizen of the United States with a valid Washington State Drivers License
• Successful completion of the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy
• Successfully pass a polygraph test, psychological exam, medical exam, and a financial review.
• Must be without pending or prior convictions of domestic violence, felony convictions, and no disqualifying misdemeanor convictions
• Valid CPR and First Aid certifications
• Lateral applicants who have not been certified through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (WSCJTC) will need to provide their basic training academy curriculum/syllabus hours as part of their application.

Additional Information

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, practices and procedures used in police work.
• State, County and City laws and ordinances.
• Geography of the City and specific areas of assignment.
• Rules of evidence and laws of arrest.
• Operation of a variety of specialized police vehicles and equipment.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy,
• First aid and CPR procedures.

Ability To

• Exercise independent discretion when responding to emergencies.
• Protect the lives, property and constitutional rights of the citizens of Fife.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Present evidence and testimony in court.
• Maintain current knowledge of the law and modern law enforcement techniques.
• Respond to crime and emergency scenes and take immediate and appropriate action.
• Maintain proficiency in driving and in the use of firearms in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Participate in specialized programs and assignments to support police-related activities and community relations.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Read, interpret, apply and explain laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Understand and work within scope of authority.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Comply with safety standards and regulations.
• Perform duties requiring physical endurance in running, climbing and lifting.