Police Officer

City of Olympia; Washington; On-site; USD 85 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Olympia is seeking Police Officers at Recruit, Academy Graduate, or Advanced Entry levels to enforce laws, protect public safety, and apprehend offenders. Training with the state academy is required and progression occurs after field training.

Salary ranges reflect recruit and officer positions, with steps and upgrades based on performance, training, and compliance with WA standards. Union: Police Guild. Benefits are provided by the city.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required for recruit
• Graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy required for Academy Graduate/Advanced Entry
• Ability to meet standards prescribed by WSCJTC for equivalency for advanced roles

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas by car, motorcycle, or on foot.
• Respond to calls for police assistance, establish control at scene, and conduct preliminary investigations.
• Prepare written reports per departmental policies and procedures.
• Appear in court and testify as needed.
• Prepare and present oral presentations to schools and community groups.
• Maintain punctual, regular, and reliable attendance.

Skills

Police fundamentals

Patrol procedures

Criminal investigation

Criminal records

Court procedures

Radio procedures

People skills

Report writing

Following instructions

Public speaking

Composure under pressure

Teamwork

First aid

Firearms

Self-defense

Education

High school diploma

Police academy graduation

Police academy graduation

Job description

Under general supervision, performs general duty police work to enforce the law, preserve public safety and order, and apprehend offenders.

Compensation Ranges:
Police Recruit Salary: 85,007.52 - 89,258.16
Police Officer Salary: 94,453.56 - 116,942.40

Essential Functions

The information contained in this classification specification is a representative sample of essential and other functions performed in this classification. Specific essential functions are identified for position recruitment or other administrative procedures.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

1. Police Officers are employed at three distinct levels, Police Officer - Recruit, Police Officer - Academy Graduate, and Police Officer - Advanced Entry.
2. The levels are distinguished as follows: Police Officer - Recruit:
3. Requires no prior Police experience.
4. Police Officer - Recruits are employed at a rate 10% below step A of the salary range for Police Officer.
5. When recruits complete FTO training and are capable of independently performing assigned police duties, they advance to step A of the salary range.
6. As a condition of employment Police Officer Recruits are required to attend and successfully complete the law enforcement training academy approved by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) within 6 months of hire.

Police Officer - Recruit:

1. Requires no prior Police experience.
2. Police Officer - Recruits are employed at a rate 10% below step A of the salary range for Police Officer.
3. When recruits complete FTO training and are capable of independently performing assigned police duties, they advance to step A of the salary range.
4. As a condition of employment Police Officer Recruits are required to attend and successfully complete the law enforcement training academy approved by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) within 6 months of hire.

Police Officer - Academy Graduate:

1. Requires graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy prior to appointment.
2. Police Officer - Academy Graduates are employed at a rate 10% below step A of the salary range for Police Officer.
3. When Academy Graduates complete FTO training and are capable of independently performing assigned police duties, they advance to step A of the salary range.
4. Graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy and ability to meet standards prescribed by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for equivalency is required.

Police Officer - Advanced Entry:

1. Requires prior police experience and graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy prior to appointment.
2. Police Officers - Advanced Entry who complete their FTO training are expected to independently perform assigned police duties.
3. Candidates who completed a law enforcement academy outside of Washington State are responsible for establishing equivalency, according to standards prescribed by the WSCJTC after appointment.

Examples of Duties:

1. Patrols designated area of the City during an assigned shift in a patrol car, on a motorcycle or on foot.
2. Responds to calls for police assistance or investigation; establishes and maintains control of persons and traffic at the scene; provides protection of life and property, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, takes statements, issues citations and makes arrests.
3. Prepares written reports in accordance with departmental policies and procedures, including case, complaint and shift reports.
4. Appears personally in court and testifies as witness or arresting officer.
5. Prepares and presents oral presentations as a public service to schools, community action groups and the general public.
6. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police work and the laws governing arrest, custody of prisoners, search and seizure and rules of evidence.
2. Knowledge of patrol procedures, criminal investigation techniques, criminal identification and records maintenance.
3. Knowledge of court rules and procedures.
4. Knowledge of radio procedures.
5. Ability to cope with a wide variety of situations with tact, discretion, courtesy and respect for citizen’s rights.
6. Ability to prepare written reports in an accurate, comprehensive, timely and legible manner.
7. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
8. Ability to speak effectively to individuals and groups.
9. Ability to maintain composure and take responsible action during stressful or dangerous situations.
10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and enforcement officials, general public and other employees.
11. Ability to practice first aid.
12. Ability to use and maintain firearms.
13. Skill in the safe and effective use of self‑defense weapons and methods.

Required Experience/Education:

1. Police Officer - Recruit: High School graduation or GED equivalent.
2. Police Officer - Academy Graduate: Candidates must be employed as a full-time, paid peace officer with a municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement agency within the previous 24 months at the time of application. Graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy and ability to meet standards prescribed by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for equivalency is required.
3. Police Officer - Advanced Entry: Candidates must be employed as a full-time, paid peace officer with a municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement agency within the previous 24 months at the time of application; and must have been continuously employed as a full-time, paid peace officer for at least 24 months. Graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy and ability to meet standards prescribed by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for equivalency is required.

Special Requirements:

1. Police Officers must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years of age at the time of hire.
2. A valid Washington State Drivers’ License is required upon employment.
3. Successful completion of polygraph and psychological examinations, and criminal background investigation are required prior to hire.
4. Ability to meet and maintain physical and health standards is a condition of employment.
5. Ability to possess a firearm in accordance with Federal or State regulations is a condition of continuing employment.
6. Conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence may result in not being hired or termination of employment as a commissioned police officer.

Union:

Police Guild

Compensation (minimum-maximum):

$94,453.56 - $116,942.40

Exempt:

No

The City of Olympia complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.