Police Officer - Entry Level

City of Salem; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 81,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Employer-paid PERS contribution

Paid vacation and sick time

457b voluntary contributions

Flexible spending accounts

Long-term care

Wellness program

Employee assistance program

Employee health clinic

Free parking

On-site gym

Job summary

The Salem Police Department invites applications for a Police Officer role. The department emphasizes collaboration, honor, integrity, and compassion in service to the community.

Candidates must pass rigorous testing, background checks, and DPSST eligibility requirements, with overtime and rotating shifts part of the job. Compensation includes comprehensive benefits, incentives for certifications, bilingualism, and a strong retirement plan, reflecting a robust compensation package for sworn

Qualifications

• Be at least 21 years old at date of hire.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or have ability to become one within 18 months.
• Pass NTN Frontline National Test (NTN) and Oregon Physical Agility Test (ORPAT) or equivalent by specified date.
• Must pass pre-employment drug test (including marijuana).
• Must pass pre-employment background check.
• OAR 259-008 standards apply.
• Able to work overtime and 24-hour rotating shifts, including holidays/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provide police services as a sworn officer.
• Participate in competitive testing and background investigations as part of hiring process.
• Successfully complete recruit training and DPSST certification eligibility.
• Maintain physical fitness and ability to perform duties under various conditions.

Skills

Physical fitness tests

Reading comprehension

Writing skills

Background investigation

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Salem Police Department Core Values

Collaboration | Honor | Integrity | Compassion

Salary Step

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
• Step 5
• Step 6

Hourly Rate

• $39.11
• $41.07
• $43.12
• $45.28
• $47.54
• $49.92
• $51.42

Monthly Rate

• $6,779.07
• $7,118.80
• $7,474.13
• $7,848.53
• $8,240.27
• $8,652.80
• $8,912.80

Certifications, Training, & College Incentives

• 2% - 10%

Extra Duty/Specialized Assignment Incentive

• 2.5% - 5%

Bi-Lingual Incentive

• 5%

Full List of Incentives

• Collective Bargaining Agreement

Other Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Voluntary long-term care
• Employee wellness program
• Employee assistance program
• Employee health clinic
• Free, secure parking
• Department gym available for employee use

The City offers an excellent compensation and benefits package which can be found by clicking here

What are the minimum qualifications?

• Be at least 21 years old at date of hire.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or have the ability to become one within 18 months of hire.
• Participate in competitive testing including physical fitness testing, reading comprehension, writing skills, written, physical/vision, hearing and psychological examinations, and be able to pass strict Police Department background investigation.
• Must pass the pre-employment drug test (including marijuana).
• Must pass the pre-employment background check .
• Oregon's minimum standards to work as a law enforcement officer and background disqualifiers can be found in OAR 259-008.
• Must be able to work periodic overtime and a variety of 24-hour rotating shifts including holidays and weekends.
• High School graduate or have completed a G.E.D.
• Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.

Certifications/Licenses

• Ability to complete departmental recruit training course and to gain eligibility for Basic Certificate issued by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).
• A valid Oregon driver's license, or out of state equivalent, or ability to obtain by date of hire; must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City's standard. Oregon law requires that an of-state license holder must obtain a valid Oregon license (with appropriate endorsements) within 30 days of becoming domiciled in the state (ORS 803.355).

What are the disqualifiers and eliminating factors?

• OAR 259-008.
• No felony convictions.
• No convictions for crimes involving domestic violence.
• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of military service.
• No more than three (3) traffic (moving) convictions in the last three (3) years.

Hiring Process

Applicants must submit a completed application and provide valid tests results for NTN Frontline National Test (NTN) and Oregon Physical Agility Test (ORPAT) or out-of-state PAT equivalent by November 9, 2026 to be considered in the hiring process.

NTN & ORPAT/PAT Requirements

• 70% in Writing
• 70% in Reading
• 65% in Video/Media

Applicants must complete the ORPAT in 6:30 or less to pass. However, the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) requires a time of 5:30 or less for graduation.

Out-of-State Applicants: If you have a valid PAT test from another state or the military, you may submit your score with your application, provided it is less than 12 months old from the job announcement closing date.

Hired applicants are eligible for a $100 reimbursement for NTN and ORPAT testing costs.

About Us

The Salem Police Department is the 4th largest agency in the State of Oregon. We are a full-service department to include many special teams. Our new facility is a 104,000 square foot building with many amenities for employees to include an indoor/outdoor breakroom, and a work-out room/locker room.

The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon. Located in the lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 180,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.

A Full-service City, Salem Has Eight Primary Departments Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members. The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Community Planning and Development department.

Where can I find out more about the position?

Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Police Officer or view by clicking here.

EEO/Women, veterans and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Contact Information

Sgt. Robert Dowd

503-932-4517

[e-mail]