Police Officer (Advanced Entry-Level)

City of Puyallup; Puyallup (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated police department in a vibrant community as an Advanced-Entry Police Officer. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage in problem-oriented policing while ensuring the safety and security of the residents. With a supportive environment and a commitment to professional development, you will have access to specialized units and training programs. The department values innovation and community relations, making it an exciting place to advance your law enforcement career. If you are passionate about serving the public and making a difference, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Hiring Bonus of $10,000

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Longevity Pay

Deferred Compensation Plan

Education Incentive Pay

Premium Pay for Specialized Roles

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of the WSCJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
• Minimum 21 years of age and possess a valid WA driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas to enforce laws and maintain public order.
• Conduct investigations and gather evidence at crime scenes.
• Prepare detailed reports and assist other jurisdictions.

Skills

Law Enforcement

Community Engagement

Problem Solving

Physical Fitness

Report Writing

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Computers

Breathalyzer Equipment

Radar Equipment

Job description

ABOUT OUR WORK AND DEPARTMENT

Puyallup Police Officers work in a supportive community, performing a variety of duties related to the suppression and prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the preservation of the public peace. Police Officers are responsible for the enforcement of laws, and for giving aid and information to citizens in the community.

The Puyallup Police Department is a growing, mid-sized law enforcement agency, which is committed to problem-oriented policing. The department is divided into four divisions: Patrol, Investigations, Professional Services, and Administration. The department has achieved a high level of automation in recent years, and continues to seek modern and innovative service enhancements. The City enjoys the advantage of operating its own 365-day Detention Facility.

Our career development plan provides opportunities which include: Problem Orientation Policing unit, bicycle, detective, SWAT, K-9, traffic unit, and regional drug enforcement task force. The department values training, and takes full advantage of courses and certifications offered by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and other learning institutions.

ADVANCED ENTRY OFFICER INCENTIVE

Hiring Bonus of $10,000 for advanced entry officers hired by the City of Puyallup. The incentive is paid $5,000 at completion of Police Training Officer (PTO) program and $5,000 paid at completion of probation. Note: Salary listed is the 2024 rate. Will update to 2025 rates upon finalization of the bargaining unit contract. Note: Hiring incentive is not available to Puyallup Corrections Officers who utilize the new CO to PO program where the CO was previously hired with an incentive at our jail.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

$8,501.00 - $9,446.00 Monthly Salary.

Puyallup Officers have the opportunity to receive additional pay, including:

• Patrol Shift Differential: Patrol officers working twelve (12) hour shifts under the 24-day work cycle will receive a patrol shift differential of 5.77%.
• Education Incentive Pay: Bachelor Degree 4% and Associate Degree/90 Credits 2%.
• Premium Pay: ISU Detective 7.5%; Police Training Officer 5%; Canine Officers, Metro SWAT Team, School Resources Officer and Motor Officer 3%, Metro Cities Collision Response Team certified as Recon 5% and Tech 2%; and Bilingual Premium 1%. Employees are allowed to stack multiple premium pays.
• Longevity Pay, beginning at 5 years of service.

Puyallup Officers have the opportunity to contribute to the qualified, deferred compensation plan, with the City matching contributions up to 4% of the employee's base wage. The City of Puyallup offers highly competitive, well-regarded Group Insurance. Medical premiums are modest the first year, and when an employee meets the wellness program incentive one calendar year then the next year's premiums are 100% paid by the city. Group insurance includes medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents, plus life and long-term disability insurance coverage for employees.

*In the event an employee separates from employment prior to three years of employment the employee must pay back the full hiring bonus.

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY

The City of Puyallup is situated at the foot of scenic Mount Rainier in the beautiful Puget Sound region, and the department serves a primary population of 43,000 residents within about 14 square miles. The city is a prominent regional commercial and service center for Eastern Pierce County, and serves its residents and neighbors with a strong, diversified economy.

Popular annual events for the community include the Washington State Fair and the annual Daffodil Festival. Puyallup has transformed into a booming scenic community with an interesting and profound history.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Patrols a designated area of the City during an assigned shift, to preserve law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of crime, and to enforce traffic regulations.
• Answers calls and complaints involving fire, traffic accidents, domestic situations, robberies and other misdemeanors, disturbances and felonies and takes necessary police action.
• Conducts preliminary investigations at the scenes of crimes and accidents; gathers evidence; locates and questions witnesses.
• Apprehends, interviews, and arrests suspects; restrains suspects if necessary.
• Interviews witnesses and/or complainants; collects material evidence and performs crime scene work; performs surveillance; testifies as a witness in court.
• Prepares and submits reports; operates computers utilizing a variety of software programs, including database, word processing, and other applications, to produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Assists other jurisdictions and agencies.
• Participates in undercover investigation of narcotics, gambling, vice, and other activities, violations, and crimes.
• May be called on at any time for emergency duties.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Special Qualifications:

• Minimum 21 years of age at time of application.
• United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient.
• Speak, read, and write the English language.
• Possession of or the ability to obtain, and maintain throughout employment, a valid Washington State driver's license.
• Must be a graduate of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy and have up to 24 months experience as a police officer OR have a minimum of 3 years' experience as a Corrections Officer with the Puyallup Police Department.
• If not currently employed as a police officer, must have no break in service of more than 24 months.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

As a condition of employment, the employee must successfully complete a 12-month trial service period; and obtain breathalyzer and radar operator certifications within the first six months of hire. Maintaining a level of physical fitness necessary to perform the duties of a Police Officer is also a condition of employment. It is department policy that there shall be no visible offensive tattoos or body art on any Police Officer when they are in uniform.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES

Advanced-Entry applications are accepted on a continuous basis so that a pool of applications is on file for testing as openings occur or to establish an eligibility list in anticipation of potential openings. Applications are kept on file until examinations are scheduled (once all completed applications on file are screened for eligibility to participate in the examination process).

Those candidates receiving the highest scores on their application packets are invited to compete in the examination process. In order to be placed on the eligibility register, candidates must successfully complete competitive oral interview and written essay examinations. The minimum passing score for the examination process is 70.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Hours of Work – After initial orientation, Officers assigned to the Patrol Division work four 12-hour shifts followed by four days off. The shifts are 0600-1800hrs, 1200-0000hrs, and 1800-0600hrs.

Union Affiliation – This is a Puyallup Police Association bargaining unit position.

Trial Service Period – Regular-status employment as an Advanced-Entry Police Officer is currently subject to successful completion of a trial service period of 12 months.

Drug-Free Workplace – The City of Puyallup is a drug-free, tobacco-free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity – The City of Puyallup is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate in any employer/employee relations based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran's status or any other basis protected by applicable discrimination laws.