Police Officer - Entry Level

City of Renton; Renton (WA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Take-home car program

Deferred compensation (1% + 3% via FTO

HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT (VEBA

Job summary

City of Renton is seeking entry‑level to general patrol officers to protect life and property, enforce laws, and engage with the community on assigned shifts. Officers work independently or with a team, applying judgment within department policy.

The role emphasizes fitness, de‑escalation, report writing, and continuous training to uphold our core values of integrity and service while supporting a diverse community in Renton, WA.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be at least 21 years old at time of examination.
• Ability to pass entrance exam and meet health standards.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license by hire date.
• Must be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency and routine dispatched calls.
• Patrol the city by vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot.
• Conduct traffic enforcement and ensure public safety.
• Appear in court to present evidence and testify.
• Write police and related reports and investigate incidents.

Skills

De-escalation techniques

Community engagement

Maintaining physical fitness

Vehicle patrol

Court testimony writing

Education

High school diploma or GED

21 years of age or older

Ability to pass entrance examination

Valid Washington State driver’s license

US citizen or lawful permanent resident

Job description

Job Description

• All entry level officers are hired at $8,141/monthly - Patrol Officer I.
• Promotion to Patrol Officer II occurs when the officer enters the FTO program.
• Patrol Officer II salary range is $8,649-$10,674/monthly.
• Entry level officers are eligible for a $1,000 sign-on bonus.
• Education Premium of 4% for an Associate Degree or 6% for a Bachelor's or Master's.
• City contributes 1% of base wage towards deferred compensation plan. An additional 3% is available for passing the annual Physical Fitness Test.
• City contributes 3% into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) VEBA Plan.
• A 3% interpreter premium is available post academy.
• Take Home Car Program: Officers are issued a take home vehicle after completion of FTO.

Renton Police Department

Core Values

Integrity, Service, Valor, and Professionalism

https://rentonwa.gov/policecareers

The City of Renton embraces a diverse and inclusive workforce and prides itself on promoting collaboration and teamwork in a positive environment while providing high quality services to the community. Renton, with a population of 108,800, is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace and favorable business climate have attracted the attention of nationally recognized companies that are providing employees and their families an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, the Sounders and the Seattle Seahawks. The Renton Police Department is a full‑service law enforcement agency with 176 personnel, comprised of 141 commissioned officers and 39 non‑commissioned. It is our mission, through collaboration, to provide professional and unbiased law enforcement services to our community. Our officers work diligently, in partnership with the public, to protect life and property, the suppression of crime, apprehension of criminals and enforcement of laws. We fulfill our commitment to the community with pride, while adhering to our core values of: Integrity, Service, Valor, and Professionalism.

Job Summary

Perform general duty police work involving the protection of life and property; the enforcement of laws and ordinances; prevention and investigation of crimes and maintenance of order, and positively engage with community members on an assigned shift. Work is performed independently and as part of a team. Tasks are completed with general guidelines and require independent judgment. Contribute to the Department and City’s vision, mission, and goals in the performance of all job duties.

Supervision

Reports To: Police Sergeant

Supervises: None

Essential Functions

• Contribute to an environment of respect and teamwork.
• Foster a culture of equity and inclusion by recognizing the diverse needs and perspectives of groups and individuals.
• Respond to emergency and routine dispatched calls as directed.
• Patrol the City on an assigned shift in a police vehicle, on a motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot; patrol business and residential districts occasionally on foot to provide an element of safety by obvious visibility; look for crimes or potential crimes in progress.
• Answers 911 calls and complaints involving criminal and noncriminal activities.
• Administers emergency first aid to injured or incapacitated persons as required.
• Stop traffic violators, identify suspicious individuals, and take appropriate lawful action; apprehend violators or offenders of the law, sometimes involving a substantial element of personal danger and lawful, reasonable use of physical force.
• Use de‑escalation techniques to increase likelihood of compliance.
• Utilize and maintain a variety of specialized equipment such as firearms, police vehicles, radios, batons, handcuffs, pepper spray, Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) breath testing equipment and others according to established procedures; maintain skill and proficiency in driving, the use of firearms, and other issued weapons.
• Enforce applicable laws.
• Manage situations professionally with respect for the rights of others.
• Accountable for actions and dealing with violations of rules, policy, or procedures on an impartial basis.
• Maintain a high standard of physical fitness.
• Search for lost or wanted persons.
• Direct traffic when required.
• Determine when a lawful search or arrest can or should be attempted; determine when physical force should be used on an individual and the extent of such force as governed by state law or department policy.
• Develop knowledge about known offenders and correlate reported offenses; recover lost or stolen property; prepare affidavits and search warrants; interview witnesses and suspects; use informants and other investigative aids.
• Appear in court to present evidence and to testify against persons accused of crimes.
• Write police and other related reports.
• Provide assistance and direct citizens to appropriate resources as necessary.
• Take direction from a police supervisor.
• Participate in community engagement activities including attend community events and meetings and conduct business checks.
• Participate in training programs as required.
• Remain current with legislation, court rulings, department policy, and relevant technological advancements as it relates to assignment.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Perform related work as required.

Education, Experience, And License Requirements

• High school degree or a GED.
• Not less than 21 years of age at the time of examination.
• Ability to read and write the English language.
• Lawful permanent resident or US citizen.
• Ability to pass entrance examination successfully and meet the minimum medical and health standards adopted by the Civil Service Commission.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license by date of hire. Stringent personal background investigation including:
• Polygraph examination.
• Psychological evaluation.
• Medical physical, including a drug‑screening test.
• Driving record check.
• Must be able to qualify for the ACCESS Certification.
• Must be able to pass the Washington State Criminal Justice Basic Law Enforcement Training Course.
• Pass with a 70% or above the Law Enforcement Officer written exam with Public Safety Testing, as well as pass the Physical Ability test (PAT). Once both of those exams are successfully completed those scores must be sent to the City of Renton in order to move forward in the process.
• Verify that you do not meet any of the Automatic Disqualifying Behavior requirements. To avoid a delay in the application process with our agency, you must complete a fully up to date and specific personal history statement (PHS) with Public Safety Testing (PST).

Competency Requirements

• Commitment to racial, social and economic equity issues and working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Knowledge of adult and juvenile judicial procedures and the criminal justice system and laws of arrest, search, and seizure.
• Techniques of investigation and interrogation.
• Criminal case preparation and procedures.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Maintain control in stressful and hazardous situations.
• Enforce all applicable laws with professionalism and respect.
• Determine level and scope of police response.
• Make rapid and accurate decisions under stressful conditions.
• Attention to detail.
• Communicate effectively.
• Customer service focus.
• Positive interactions with all individuals.
• Build collaborative relationships.
• Anticipate problems and develop contingency plans.
• Show initiative while performing job tasks.
• Remain flexible to changing priorities.
• Determine priorities and take prompt action.
• Meet deadlines and respond timely to achieve common goals.
• Be receptive to the attitudes, feelings or circumstances of others and aware of influence of one’s own behavior on them.
• Work effectively with others to achieve common goals.
• Social awareness.
• Make difficult decisions in a timely manner.
• Conflict‑resolution skills.
• City ordinances, applicable federal and state laws, WAC rules and department policies.
• Knowledge of geography and street locations.
• Knowledge of department’s policies and procedures.

Physical Demands

• Drive and perform field work.
• Work in dangerous or emergency circumstances requiring vigorous physical activity and exertion.
• Lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds on occasion.
• Lift heavy objects in awkward and confined spaces, using proper lifting and rigging techniques.
• Climb and work from ladders, climb stairs, ability to navigate a variety of different terrains.
• Run, jog, or walk for extended periods of time.
• Bending, stretching, sitting, and standing for extended periods.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a typical office environment and/or performed outdoors in all weather conditions and may involve moving throughout the facility and community.
• Work assigned shift.
• Noise level out in the field is moderately loud and noise level in the office is moderately quiet.

Accommodation

Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process may contact [e-mail] at least 2 days prior to the need.

Automatic and Potential Disqualifiers for Position of Police Officer

Body Decorations

• Automatic:
• Tattoos on the neck and/or face

Driving

• Automatic:
• Two or more at fault collisions within the last 3 years
• DUI within the last 3 years
• A total of 2 DUI's convictions
• Any criminal traffic conviction in the past year or 2 such criminal offenses in the past 3 years
• Driver's license suspended within the last 2 years
• Potential:
• 3 or more moving violations within the last 3 years

Drug Use

• Potential:
• Use of marijuana in the last 12 month
• Use of or possession of an illegal substance within the last 60 months (other than as a juvenile, one time experimentation, or the use of marijuana as stated above)
• Illegal use of prescription medication in the last 60 months (other than as a juvenile or one time experimentation)

Criminal History

• Automatic:
• Any adult felony conviction
• Any misdemeanor or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice capacity
• Domestic violence conviction
• Potential:
• Adult misdemeanor convictions
• Juvenile felony convictions

Employment

• Automatic:
• Dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces
• Lied during any stage of the hiring process
• Falsified application, personal history statement, or any other forms during hiring process
• Previous revocation or denial of CJTC/POST certified status, or current suspension of current CJTC/POST
• Potential:
• Having been involuntarily dismissed (for any reason other than lay‑off) from three or more employers as an adult.

Financial

• Potential:
• Credit history checks will be conducted. Unresolved accounts in collection will be carefully reviewed.
• History of financial instability

This position is represented by the Police Officers' Guild (Commissioned) and the applicable benefits are as follows:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

• Employees are offered a choice of medical/vision coverage through either Kaiser Permanente or the City's self-insured plan. Preferred Provider Option is available through the self-insured plan. Rates for both plans are available on the Benefit webpage. Please click on the link at the bottom of the page for details.
• The dental insurance plan covers services such as regular checkups, x-rays, fillings and crowns. Orthodontia coverage is also provided.
• One (1) percent of employee's base pay to fund a contracted VEBA plan.

Deferred Compensation Program

• The City contributes 1% of the employee's base wage rate into a deferred compensation retirement plan. An additional 3% premium is provided for passing a physical fitness exam.
• Employees may also set aside a percentage of their earnings on a tax‑deferred basis.

VEBA

• The City contributes 2% of base pay into individual employee VEBA accounts, which can be used to pay out of pocket medical expenses.

Retirement Plan

• Employees are enrolled in the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems LEOFF Plan.
• Both the employee and employer contribute to the plan.

Life Insurance

• A group term life insurance policy is provided at no cost to each employee at a value equivalent to the annual salary, up to $125,000.
• Each eligible dependent is also provided with a $1,000 policy. There is no cost to the employee.
• Optional supplemental insurance is available for employees and their dependents at group rates.

Education/ Longevity Premiums

• Employees who achieve an A.A. Degree/90 credits will receive 4% of base wage and those with a B.A. Degree/Masters will receive 6% of base wage.
• Longevity premiums are awarded after 5 years of service and increase at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years.

Tuition Reimbursement

• A tuition reimbursement program is available for tuition and fees paid by the employer for courses leading to a law enforcement related degree.

Long Term Disability Protection

• A long term disability policy up to the equivalent of 60% of an employee's salary is available.

Long Term Care

• Optional long‑term care available with discounted premiums.

Employee Assistance Program

• A confidential counseling assessment and referral service is available without cost to employees and family members for help with personal, family or job-related problems.

Flexible Benefits

• The City offers employees the opportunity to open two separate tax‑free accounts to pay for expenses not covered by health insurance and another for child care costs, through salary reduction.

Personal Leave

• Employees accrue paid personal leave time (a combination of holiday and vacation) beginning with the first day of employment in accordance with the following schedule whenever he/she is on paid status: 19 hours per month (0-5 years), 23 hours per month (6-10 years), 24 hours per month (11-15 years), 26 hours per month (16-20 years), 28 hours per month (21 years or more).
• Maximum accumulation of personal leave time shall not exceed 528 hours, except when the employee is unable to use personal leave time as a result of illness, disability or operation or considerations beyond the employee's control.

Sick Leave

• Upon employment, the employee receives a sick leave bank of 30 hours, with an additional 30 hours awarded after three months.
• Thereafter, sick leave accrues at the rate of one day (10 hours) per month.

Paydays

• The City of Renton pays employees on the tenth and the twenty‑fifth of each month (24 pay periods each year).

Uniforms

• Required uniforms and equipment are provided without cost to the employees issued on a quartermaster system. Uniform cleaning is also provided.

Union Affiliation

• Police Commissioned employees are represented by the Renton Police Officer's Guild.

Transportation

• Unlimited free rides on various bus systems as well as various carpool and rideshare options are available for City employees.

Please see the City of Renton Benefits webpage for more information.