Police Officer (BLEA Certified)

City of Bellingham; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

The City of Bellingham is seeking a certified Police Officer for the City of Bellingham Police Department. After completing the Police Academy, the recruit advances to Full Performance status within Civil Service, with a 12-month probationary period and ongoing training.

The role involves patrols, investigations, traffic duties, and community policing, with expected readiness for emergencies and evidence collection. Strong decision-making and physical fitness are essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or two years toward degree preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas by foot, vehicle, or bicycle; enforce laws and ordinances.
• Respond to calls and incidents; intervene in civil disputes and domestic disturbances.
• Engage in community policing; build relationships with residents and businesses.

Skills

Bilingual proficiency

Physical fitness

First aid / CPR

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or two years toward degree

Tools

Red Cross CPR & First Aid certification

Job description

The City of Bellingham is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of certified Police Officer.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM? Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

Why work for the Bellingham Police Department?

• The 2026 salary range for a certified Police Officer is $7,956-$10,236/month.
• Patrol Officers work a 1040 work schedule of five, 10.7 hour days on, four days off, five days on, four days off, five days on, five days off, repeating monthly.
• Training opportunities, the 1040 work schedule allows for one full training day a month.
• Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education. For more information regarding salary, benefits, specialty units and premiums.

NOTE: Employees will remain in the Recruit classification in probationary status prior to and while attending the Police Academy. With successful completion of the Police Academy, the employee shall move to the Full Performance Police Officer classification in a non-competitive promotion effective the first day of the pay period immediately following such academy completion. A standard 12-month Civil Service probationary period applies for all officers following placement into the Full Performance Police Officer classification.

Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Police Guild (Police Officers) Collective Bargaining Unit and City policy. Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 7.34 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 216 hours of sick leave upon hire + accruals per collective bargaining agreement
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt‑out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (LEOFF) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro‑rated if part‑time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position performs fully responsible, professional, general duty police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances.

After a period of formal and on‑the‑job training, employees in this class are responsible for independent law enforcement duties ranging from average to considerable difficulty and performed under general supervision of a sergeant or other ranking officer.

Work normally involves patrolling in an unaccompanied automobile, motorcycle, bicycle or foot patrol, and/or conducting detailed criminal investigations, traffic regulation, or community policing activities in a designated area on an assigned shift.

Work involves a substantial element of danger and requires the responsible exercise of appropriate judgment in meeting critical emergency situations.

Employees are sworn to act on behalf of the Police Department and the City of Bellingham and carry firearms in the performance of their duties.

Employees may be directed to work on, lead, or plan special projects or assignments which call upon specialized abilities and knowledge attained through experience as a uniformed officer. Work of this class may be reviewed by superior officers via personal inspection, reviews of reports and/or oral discussion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Patrols a designated area of City on foot, bicycle, or in an automobile, motorcycle or small watercraft to investigate, deter and/or discover possible violations of criminal and vehicle (and/or boating) traffic laws, codes and/or ordinances. Maintains radio contact with the dispatch center.
2. Responds to calls, complaints or reports of the actual, possible or potential occurrence of specific criminal activity and takes appropriate action. This may include, but is not limited to, mediating civil disputes or interceding in domestic disturbances; maintaining peace; protecting persons; enforcing traffic laws; apprehending, controlling and arresting persons, including those who are violent and/or emotional; assisting disabled persons, motorists, and others; and providing information and direction.
3. Participates in community policing activities: gains familiarity with individuals, groups, businesses and special issues of assigned community; meets with and makes presentations to community groups; assists in neighborhood problem‑solving projects; and sponsors public education programs and activities.
4. Administers immediate assistance to citizens in critical and/or emergency situations where the security of lives and/or property may be endangered. In the course of duty, officers are exposed to a range of physical injuries, accidents, child abuse, mental health concerns, or death where they may be required to administer first aid, CPR or other assistance prior to the arrival of emergency services, and to provide support to victims and families.
5. Secures and controls crime scenes and administers aid, may gather and/or supervise the collection of evidence and witness statements, and arrests or supervises the arrest(s) of suspects.
6. Appears in court to present evidence and testify against persons accused of crime; maintains or supervises surveillance over suspected criminals; arranges and/or participates in the return of fugitives from other cities or from outside the state.
7. Develops and maintains required skills through participation in intermediate or advanced training classes in law enforcement methodology, first aid, regular or special weapons/tactics and procedures and related subjects.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Engages in specialized investigative assignments (e.g., Forensics, Drug/Gang Task Force etc.).
2. Performs specialized assignments (e.g., Neighborhood Resource Officer, Behavioral Health Officer, Canine Unit, SWAT etc.).
3. Works with other law enforcement agencies on special policing assignments and events and/or multi‑jurisdiction emergencies as directed.
4. Performs special operations work such as raids and searches as directed.
5. Performs related duties as directed.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in any and all property existing in the City of Bellingham and its environs. This involves working in a variety of environmental conditions and may require: walking, sitting or standing for long periods; running, climbing, jumping, or physical exertion in inclement weather; physical agility in slippery conditions, mountainous or uneven terrain, or in water. Officers work in unaccompanied automobile, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot patrol, maintaining contact with the dispatch center. There is exposure to high‑risk situations which require emergency response procedures such as the use of masks, gloves, etc. to prevent contact with infectious diseases; and the use of protective clothing, equipment, firearms and other gear. While in uniform and/or driving a police vehicle, the Police Officer will not be allowed to use or display any tobacco product. Officers work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Physical abilities to perform the essential functions of the job including:

• Physical strength to restrain and control persons and physically defend self;
• Manual dexterity to operate a motor vehicle or handle tools and guns in the performance of assigned tasks, including keyboarding, grasping and reaching.
• Occasionally lift, push, carry and pull materials, objects or persons weighing up to 100 lbs using proper lifting techniques;
• Frequently sit, stand, walk, drive a vehicle or ride a bicycle;
• Occasionally run, jump, climb, balance, kneel, crawl or crouch;
• Frequently communicate verbally;
• Uncorrected vision in either eye of 20/100 or better, vision able to be corrected to 20/20 in better eye and 20/30 in lesser eye.
• Visual acuity including closeness, distance, color, peripheral and depth perception, with the ability to adjust focus and to read a computer screen and typewritten page.

• Successful completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy and active commission; OR
• Successful completion of an approved law enforcement training academy and ability to meet standards prescribed by WSCJTC for eligibility and successful completion of Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy.

AND

• Associate degree or two years (90 quarter/60 semester hours) of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university, OR
• High School Diploma or equivalent, AND
• Four years of active military service with honorable discharge (four years of military service may be substituted for two years of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university)
• Bilingual proficiency highly desirable.

NOTE: Upon successful completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy and meeting the requirements for Entry Full Performance Police Officer, Recruit Police Officers will receive a non‑competetive promotion to the Full Performance Police Officer classification the first day of the pay period following academy completion.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, background investigation, polygraph examination and fingerprinting. Subject to re‑check every five years.
• Employment contingent upon passing a psychological and general medical evaluation.
• Employment contingent upon passing a pre‑employment drug test. (This position is considered a safety sensitive position; therefore, the pre‑employment drug test includes testing for cannabis. Positive test results will exclude an applicant from being hired)
• Lateral applicants currently employed and meeting physical standards as police officers in another jurisdiction are accepted as able to meet the physical requirements of the job.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, Red Cross certification for Infant/Child and Adult CPR and Standard First Aid.
• Valid Washington State driver's license or ability to obtain within 30 days of Washington State residency and good driving record. A three‑year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire, with periodic submission of driving abstract per City policy.
• Attainment of the age of 21 years.
• Must be a U. S. citizen, deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient, or a registered permanent resident able to work in the United States. Washington State residency by time of hire.
• No record of felony convictions.
• Misdemeanor convictions will also be reviewed. A misdemeanor conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant but offenses, by their nature and recentness, may reveal a lack of specific qualifications for this position.
• NOTE: A standard 12‑month Civil Service probationary period applies for all officers following placement into the Full Performance Police Officer classification.

PLEASE NOTE: Failure to meet the following qualifications on the medical exam is reason for rejection:

• Uncorrected vision in either eye of 20/100 or better.
• Vision able to be corrected to 20/20 in the better eye and 20/30 in the lesser eye.
• Defective color vision or depth perception.
• Hearing from 0-25 decibels.

NOTE: The urinalysis drug screen, background investigation and polygraph examination includes a review of illegal drug use. A history of using illegal drugs, considering the nature and recentness of these offenses, may be grounds for disqualification for this position.

You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along

This process is an open and continuous examination. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Candidates will be notified of their final rank and score regularly as incoming applications are reviewed.

To comply with the legislative statute of E2SSB 5051 (RCW 43.101), the WSCJTC decided to evaluate each academy curriculum/syllabus hours on a case‑by‑case basis. If you are an out of state candidate a copy of your academy curriculum/syllabus hours will be required to attend equivalency academy.

This recruitment process will create a register that will be used to fill anticipated vacancies. This position is represented by a union.

Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form

Application Review Process:

Candidates will be notified of their final rank and score regularly as incoming applications are reviewed.

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position.
2. Experience and Training Review: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Review. Relevancy of your experience and training, together with composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation will be considered when evaluating responses. Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or greater.
3. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores from the Supplemental Question Review (100%).

The final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examinations, assessments, or tests. Eligible candidates will also be required to complete a Personal History Questionnaire.

• Additional examinations, assessments, or tests may include review of the Application Materials, Personal History Statement (PHS) and Interviews.
• Candidates may be removed from the eligibility register for failure to pass the additional examinations, assessments, or tests.
• Applicants who failed probation, were terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, are about to be terminated, or would not be considered for rehire by their current or former department or agency, may not be eligible for a lateral position.

Please note:

• Candidates may be removed for the reasons specified in Civil Service Rule Section 9 at any time throughout this process.
• Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic