Lateral Police Officer

Bellevue College; Port Orchard (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an experienced law enforcement officer to join their team. This role is vital in protecting the community, reducing crime, and ensuring public safety through proactive engagement and transparency. Candidates must have completed a law enforcement academy, possess significant field experience, and demonstrate physical fitness and conflict resolution skills. The position offers competitive pay, additional incentives for education and bilingual skills, and comprehensive benefits. If you are passionate about serving the community and making a difference, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid vacation leave

Sick leave

Recruitment incentive

Longevity pay

Bilingual pay

Qualifications

• Must have law enforcement academy training and lateral certification eligibility.
• Minimum 18 months full-time experience as a sworn officer required.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency calls and enforce laws to maintain public safety.
• Conduct patrols and investigate incidents to uphold community safety.

Skills

Law enforcement experience

Emergency response

Conflict de-escalation

Physical fitness

Report writing

First aid and CPR

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Police vehicle

Firearms

Body worn cameras

Job description

This recruitment is for an experienced law enforcement officer. To qualify for this recruitment you must have already:

1. Successfully completed an approved basic law enforcement academy and be eligible for lateral certification by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission without attending the state's full basic law enforcement academy;
2. Successfully completed a field training program with a previous law enforcement agency;
3. Been employed as a full-time sworn police officer for a minimum of eighteen (18) continuous months with a single agency;
4. Not been out of full-time law enforcement service for longer than three (3) years at date of hire.

The base hourly pay range for this position is $45.59 - $51.95. Starting salary range is between $45.59 - $47.76 per hour based on years of experience.

The position is eligible for education, longevity and bilingual pay.

• Education pay means 2% for an Associate Degree and 4% for a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Longevity pay provides an increase of 0.25% each year the employee is employed with the City, starting on year 3.
• Bilingual pay means 2% for fluency in Spanish, Tagalog, Korean and/or American Sign Language.

More information about the requirements can be found in the union contract.

Below are some examples of the pay range for the position using these additional pays.

• Employee holding an Associate’s degree or receiving bilingual pay: $46.50- $52.99 per hour
• Employee holding a Bachelor’s degree: $47.41 - $54.03 per hour
• Employee completing a 47 year career with the City: $45.59 - $57.79 per hour (using 2025 numbers)
• Bilingual employee with a Bachelor’s degree, 47 years of longevity pay: $45.59- 60.91 per hour (using 2025 numbers)

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. HRA VEBA account is also provided. Retirement benefits are provided through LEOFF and optional Deferred Compensation. Employees receive a holiday leave bank in lieu of holidays, vacation leave and sick leave in accordance with the union contract. More benefit details are available by clicking on the "Benefits" tab at the top of this job posting.

As of December 14, 2022, a Lateral Police Officer who has completed the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy, met all other criteria to be eligible for consideration as a Lateral Police Officer Candidate under the City of Port Orchard's Police Civil Service Rules, and been given an unconditional offer and accepted the position of Patrol officer with the Port Orchard Police Department, is eligible to receive a $10,000 recruitment incentive. This will be paid on the first available paycheck after date of hire, as determined by Payroll. An additional $5,000, 40 hours of sick leave, and 40 hours of vacation leave may be received after successful completion or probation. For further details, contact Human Resources.

Oral board examinations are scheduled on an as-needed basis. The Chief of Police may fill vacancies from the entry-level or lateral civil service lists.

Major Function and Purpose
A Patrol Officer's primary purpose is to protect the lives, property, and rights of all members of the community. Officers will work to reduce crime, and the fear of crime, while remaining proactive and innovative in their approach to the enforcement of the law. Officers are expected to be team members with the community through transparency, accountability, and engagement.

General Function
Under general supervision from the Sergeant, the Patrol Officer will help to create, nurture, and maintain a community-oriented public safety department in alignment with the department’s mission, vision, and values.

Supervision Responsibilities
This is a non-supervisory position. However, a Patrol Officer may be assigned to serve as a Field Training Officer for a new officer or Police Reserve Officer.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
This job description reflects general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. These listed duties and responsibilities in no way imply these are the only duties to be performed. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to: working in other function areas to cover absences or provide relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload. Accordingly, individuals occupying this position will be required to follow any job-related instructions, tasks, or other duties as assigned by the Director or designee and must be able to proficiently perform all assigned duties.

• Respond to emergency and routine calls for service
• Apprehend violators or offenders of the law; in situations where lawful arrests are resisted, the Officer must be prepared and able at times through training, judgment, and high levels of physical exertion, to use justifiable levels of force to overcome the resistance and protect the suspect, community members, themselves, and fellow officers
• Tactically de-escalate any verbal attacks that may occur while performing work assignments; endure verbal and mental assault when confronted with hostile views and opinions of suspects and others encountered in an antagonistic environment
• Operate a motor vehicle for extended periods of time in all environmental conditions, occasionally at high speeds and in congested traffic situations
• Conduct patrols in a City vehicle, on foot, bicycle, marine vessel, and/or other conveyance on an assigned shift; patrol business and residential areas to provide a visible element of safety
• Monitor and enforce traffic laws and safety ordinances; issue infractions as appropriate
• Look for criminal or potential criminal behavior; identify risks to public safety and order
• Investigate traffic collisions in various weather and traffic conditions; physically direct traffic, place temporary control devices such as portable stop signs, barricades, and other forms of directional signing as needed
• Appropriately provide first aid, CPR, or naloxone as needed
• Read, review, interpret, and serve court orders; serve search and arrest warrants
• Conduct detailed investigations and gather information that pertains to suspected criminal activities; prepare detailed investigative reports
• Prepare affidavits for search warrants, interview witnesses and suspects; develop and use informants and other investigative acts
• Appear in court to present evidence and testify
• Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, working for long periods of time, detaining individuals, and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons
• Record information related to daily patrol activities and preparation of reports based on this information to aid in the prosecution of offenders
• Maintain positive relationships and perform as a liaison with other departments and agencies
• Attend and actively participate in meetings, training courses, and seminars to maintain current knowledge of criminal and civil laws; develop and maintain technical skills to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of duty
• Prep material to present at training sessions for officers or others including schools, businesses, community groups, etc.
• Obtain and maintain current certifications as required by policy and local, state, or federal law.
• Assist in the coordination of multi-agency responses to criminal activity, community outreach events, and the training, leading, or coordination with other City departments
• Conduct light preventative maintenance on departmental equipment
• Reliable and regular attendance is required
• Other duties as assigned

Contacts and Relationships
A Patrol Officer will have daily contact with City employees, community members, and public safety partners.

Working Conditions
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, including in inclement or severe weather conditions. May have exposure to hazards such as chemicals, insect stings, temperature extremes, blood, and communicable disease. May encounter hostility or violence and may be subject to verbal and/or physical attack or assault, including gunfire. Tasks may require the employee to wear protective clothing or equipment.

The Patrol Officer is subject to shift rotation according to established procedures and may be required to work overtime as the need arises and/or to attend meetings during other than normal work hours and/or be called back to work before or after regularly scheduled work hours or on scheduled days off. Will be required to work Saturdays, Sundays, holidays. Subpoenaed appearances in court to testify in the prosecution of persons charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses is a regular and ongoing occurrence, and such appearances may be required during a Patrol Officer’s days off, or before or after a regularly scheduled work shift. In addition, the Officer may be contacted by supervisory personnel at their residence during off-duty hours for guidance and/or counseling.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of City ordinances and applicable state and federal laws and WAC rules; department policy and procedures; modern law enforcement methods and procedures; principles of criminal and collision investigations; basic techniques for crime prevention and criminal investigations; laws of arrest and search and seizure including legal ramifications of actions taken; identification and preservation of evidence; criminal behavior and causes of underlying criminality, and social, psychological, and physical needs of suspects and community members experiencing behavior health issues or substance use disorders; geography and street locations, first aid principles and application; and organization and planning.

Ability to use and care for firearms; operate a police vehicle and other law enforcement equipment; establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; analyze dangerous situations rapidly and accurately; maintain control in stressful, hostile, and hazardous situations; enforce all applicable laws; prepare clear and concise reports; act without supervision and exercise independent judgment; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; communicate effectively in English with coworkers, superiors, and community members both orally and in writing; interact effectively with individuals, groups, and organizations representing a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, opinions, and beliefs; cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully, with respect for the rights of others; adhere to a high standard of personal and professional ethics; effectively deal with violations of rules, policies, and procedures on an impartial basis; maintain standards of physical fitness; recognize when the application of deadly force is appropriate under state law and department policy; employ deadly force to protect human life; and operate a motor vehicle, computer/keyboards, BASC verification machines, telephones, police radios, mobile computer terminals, digital recorders, body worn cameras, firearms and weapons platforms, handcuffs, and other police related equipment.

Physical Requirements
The Patrol Officer will routinely encounter emergency situations that may require rapid evacuation of an area to avoid personal injury or to aid another and must therefore have the physical ability to walk and run. A Patrol Officer must also have the physical ability to engage in physical altercations and confrontations and to subdue or calm a combative individual, and to rescue victims. Will be required to operate a City patrol car safely and efficiently.

Minimum Requirements
High school diploma or GED equivalent is required. Must be 21 years of age or older; a citizen of the United States of America, a lawful permanent resident, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient; and be legally permitted to possess a firearm in the State of Washington. Valid driver's license required upon hire. Out of state candidates are required to obtain a WA state driver’s license in accordance with state law. Must be able to speak, read and write the English language and have the ability to read, understand and interpret ordinances, laws, and other operating procedures and to communicate orally and in writing. Must have the ability and willingness to maintain strict confidentiality. Must be capable of passing applicable civil service or City required employment testing, including, but not limited to: medical examination, which includes a drug screening; psychological examination; and polygraph or voice stress analyzer (VSA) examination (when legally permissible). Must be capable of satisfactorily completing prescribed courses of training at the academy and during in-service training progress, as required.

A Patrol Officer shall serve a probationary period as established by the City of Port Orchard Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Any combination of experience and training that provides the desired skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.

Requirements outlined in this job description may be subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment in this position. However, some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Employer and employee and is subject to change as the needs of the Employer and requirements of the job change.