Lateral Police Officer

City of Tukwila; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Take Home Car Program

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid holidays

VEBA

Wellness Program

Job summary

The City of Tukwila Police Department is seeking highly dedicated officers to join a dynamic team serving a diverse community. You will perform investigations, traffic enforcement, and public safety duties, including court testimony and welfare of the community.

Candidates must meet state requirements, complete required training, and be prepared for lateral entry pathways if applicable. Excellent benefits and a take-home car program are provided to eligible officers.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; police training required.
• Must have been employed as a commissioned law enforcement officer on a full-time basis for a period of time exceeding 24 of the last 36 months (post academy).
• Lateral Entry applicants must have completed FTO/PTO and be non-probationary.

Responsibilities

• Performs investigative tasks, evaluates cases for leads and investigation direction; collects and preserves evidence; interrogates suspects and questions witnesses.
• Enforces traffic and parking regulations; directs traffic; makes detailed investigations and reports of traffic accidents.
• Determines when lawful search, seizure and arrest should be attempted; may include foot chase or vehicle pursuit.
• Performs a variety of judicial assistance activities; including testifying in court and related duties.
• Assists in departmental administrative and supervisory activities; including public relations tasks.
• Operates firearms in compliance with department rules; maintains firearms and vehicles.
• Patrols designated city areas by vehicle and on foot; completes special details and prepares reports.
• Writes reports, maintains daily logs and related records; serves warrants and transports prisoners.
• Responds to and investigates citizens' complaints and provides service to citizens.

Skills

Public safety

Judgment under pressure

Communication

Vehicle operation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Police training / academy

Tools

Firearms handling

Mobile technology (iPhone/tablet)

ALPR dash cameras

Job description

About Our Community:

The City of Tukwila is a unique and exciting city to live, work and visit even though it is just under 10 square miles. With a population of only 22,000 residents, the city sees upwards of 150,000 visitors and workers daily. The residential population is also host to individuals from all over the world with over 80 languages spoken by students of the Tukwila School District making it a truly unique community.

Tukwila is also home to the largest mall in the Pacific Northwest, headquarters for major national and international corporations, The Museum of Flight, and a thriving hub of popular retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses.

About The Tukwila Police Department:

The Tukwila Police Department is a municipal police department with 77 commissioned officers and 24 non-commissioned support staff. We are fortunate to work in a supportive environment with supportive community members, supportive elected officials, and supportive police department command staff. Our officers come from all walks of life and experiences including lateral officers from all over the country. We genuinely support and care about our officers, their mental health and general wellbeing. As such, we provide our officers with a set schedule with the same weekdays off and every other Saturday off, 490 hours of leave per year, the ability to work out on-duty and a supportive environment to help them grow throughout their careers. Their families are also valued and supported as part of our greater law enforcement family.

When it comes to technology, we are one of the leading departments in the nation. Besides a brand-new police station that opened in 2020 complete with a massive gym, quiet rooms, patio with BBQ grills and a full-size kitchen, our officers enjoy having a take-home patrol vehicle. The officer and vehicles are equipped with barcode scanners, Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) equipped dash cameras, body worn cameras (BWC), headrest printers, mobile fingerprint scanners and much more to make their jobs easier and more efficient. Our officers are all issued iPhones and tablets to complete their day-to-day tasks.

MISSION STATEMENT

As an involved part of the Tukwila community, our mission is to provide public safety services that are professional, compassionate and transparent. As individuals and teams, we are committed to earning the public's trust with skills, professionalism and collaboration.

CORE VALUES:

• SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
• BUILDING POSITIVE, STRONG TEAMS.
• BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
• GROWING IN COMPETENCY AND EMPATHY.

Why Choose the City of Tukwila?

• Competitive salary with scheduled step increases on an annual basis
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employer contributions to the State Retirement System pension plan
• Deferred Compensation plan options.
• Paid holidays as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement
• VEBA (tax-free health savings account)
• Employee Wellness Program in addition to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• TAKE HOME CAR PROGRAM

Officers have opportunities to receive the following additional compensation and pay incentives

• Education (2% police-related Associate's degree; 4% Bachelor's or higher degree)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Longevity Pay starting after 5 years of service
• Overtime opportunities
• Specialty Assignment pay ranging from 5% to 7%
• Night shift differential – 2%
• Option to have Kelly Days and Holiday Bank paid out.

Selection and Civil Service Testing Guidelines:

Civil Service Testing for certified and lateral entry consists of complete online application (including transcripts), a telephone interview, written exam, background investigation, polygraph examination, written/oral psychological exams, and a medical exam. The testing is scheduled at your convenience. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [e-mail]

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Performs investigative tasks, evaluates cases for leads and investigation direction; collects and preserves evidence; interrogates suspects and questions witnesses.
• Enforces traffic and parking regulations; directs traffic; makes detailed investigations and reports of traffic accidents.
• Determines when lawful search, seizure and arrest should be attempted; such actions may include a foot chase and/or vehicle pursuit, when necessary.
• Performs a variety of judicial assistance activities; including testifying in court and related activities required to enforce municipal and other laws and ordinances.
• Assists in departmental administrative and supervisory activities as assigned, including performing public relation assignments.
• Operates firearms in compliance with department rules.
• Cleans and maintains assigned firearms and vehicles.
• Patrols designated area of city in police vehicle on assigned shift; foot patrol of districts s assigned.
• Completes special details as assigned by the Sergeant and prepares reports and documents to maintain a record of activities.
• Writes reports, maintains daily logs and other related reports.
• Serves warrants; makes arrests and transports prisoners to jail.
• Responds to and investigates citizens' complaints and provides service to citizens.
• Represents department by speaking at public meetings on special topics of interest or on law enforcement in general.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry)

• Methods, principles and practices of law enforcement and crime prevention;
• The laws governing arrest, custody of prisoners, search and seizure, and rules of evidence.

SKILLS (position Requirements At Entry)

• Ability to exercise independent judgment in emergency situations in accordance with departmental rules and regulations
• Ability to safely operate police vehicles
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with court officials, business persons, public organization representatives, attorneys, other law enforcement personnel and the general public; and
• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below

Education, Experience And Other Requirements

TRAINING, EXPERIENCE AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (Position requirements at entry)

• High school diploma or equivalent and completion of a recognized police training academy or equivalent courses necessary to allow certification with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC); AND
• Must have been employed as a commissioned law enforcement officer on a full-time basis with a municipal, county, State, or WSCJTC approved federal agency for a period of time exceeding 24 of the last 36 months (post academy experience) at time of application. AND
• Lateral Entry applicants must have successfully completed a field training program (FTO or PTO) and be non-probationary officers.

Special Requirements

• Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of employment;
• Must possess, or be able to obtain, by the time of hire, a valid Washington State's driver's license without a record of suspension or revocation in any state;
• Must be a citizen of the United States of America or lawful Permanent Resident who can read and write the English language.

Preferred Qualifications

Completion of National Incident Management System (ICS) 100/200, and (NIMS) 700/800 courses. Candidates that have not completed these courses prior to hire will be required to complete them within 1 year of their hire date.

Physical Activity/Requirements

• Ability to accurately shoot department firearms;
• Ability to walk, run, stoop and bend;
• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition
• Must be able to pass Physical Agility Test

Other Requirements: Automatic Disqualification barring employment in the City of Tukwila Police Department

• Any adult felony conviction on current criminal record at time of application;
• Any juvenile felony conviction within the past five years;
• Conviction of any crime of violence, including domestic violence;
• Commission of any sexual offense within the past 10 years;
• Any conviction of a felony crime at any time while employed in any capacity with Law Enforcement Agency (including volunteer, intern, Explorer, and reserve positions);
• Any theft of property or money within the last five years;
• Any conviction for a sex related crime;
• Ever having to register as a sex offender, regardless of conviction status;
• Any conviction for solicitation of prostitution;
• Any misdemeanor convictions for crimes not specifically stated above will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Lateral applicants who were terminated, resigned in lieu of termination or would not otherwise be considered for rehire by their former department or agency are not eligible for a lateral position.

Drug Use

• As an adult, convicted of any felony drug crime;
• Have used mushrooms within the last one year;
• Marijuana: excessive use within the past 12 months. Marijuana use will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Used hallucinogens (including GHB and ecstasy; excludes mushrooms), cocaine, methamphetamine, or opiates within the last 10 years;
• Usage of any other illegal drug, including steroids and prescription abuse, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis;
• Have illegally used 4 or more different controlled substances, including marijuana, in the last 10 years;
• Have at any time manufactured, transported or cultivated illegal drugs (including marijuana) for the purpose of sale or distribution;
• Have used any illegal drugs while employed in a criminal justice capacity;
• Have ever obtained or used a prescription drug under false pretenses;
• Have ever, at any time, injected amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, barbiturates, or valium;
• Have ever illegally used a drug after submitting an application to any Law Enforcement Agency;
• Have ever sold or distributed illegal drugs, including marijuana;
• Any more than two drug convictions for any of the narcotics listed above.

Traffic Record

• Any criminal traffic conviction within the past 5 years. Violation examples include, but are not limited to: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, negligent driving, or hit and run driving;
• Suspension or revocation of your driver's license (for any traffic violation) within five years of the date of the employment application;
• Any more than two criminal convictions for traffic related offenses.

Financial Record

• Any willful failure to pay income tax or court ordered child support is disqualifying;
• A credit check will be conducted regarding your financial history.

Military Record

• Must have been discharged from the Military under honorable conditions.
• Any discharge other than honorable will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Potential Disqualification

• Any applicant who maintains an on-going relationship with individuals who are criminals and/or who are reputed to be involved in recent or current criminal activity;
• An applicant's criminal record, including all arrests, prosecutions, deferred prosecutions, "Alford" pleases, and non-conviction information will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification;
• Commission of any crime (non-conviction).