Police Officer ENTRY-LEVEL

Seattle Police Department; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring bonus of $7,500

Comprehensive benefits package

Potential for career advancement

Job summary

A municipal law enforcement agency in Seattle is seeking entry-level Police Officers dedicated to public safety and community values. Responsibilities include patrolling city streets, conducting investigations, and responding to emergencies. Candidates must be at least 20.5 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and pass a series of exams. A hiring bonus of $7,500 is offered, with various benefits available for successful candidates.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be at least 20.5 years of age.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• No recent drug use or felony convictions.

Responsibilities

• Maintains public safety and order.
• Patrols city streets to deter criminal activity.
• Conducts initial crime investigations.
• Arrests suspected law violators.
• Prepares reports on incidents.

Skills

Public safety

Community relations

Emergency response

Physical fitness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Join to apply for the Police Officer ENTRY-LEVEL role at Seattle Police Department.

The Seattle Police Department is looking to create a diverse team of hardworking, committed individuals with a passion for public service and who are deeply aligned with our City's values of Race and Social Justice. The City of Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender identity, political ideology, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Important Items to Note

• Hiring Bonus: The City of Seattle is offering a $7,500 hiring bonus for entry-level police officers. Please see the Seattle Police Department website to learn more.
• Speak with a Recruiter: Complete this form and a recruiter will text you!
• Attend an Applicant Workshop: Sign up here to participate in an upcoming Seattle Police Applicant Workshop to learn more about policing careers, the Seattle Police Department, and tips to navigate our hiring process!

Hiring Process

• Apply: All candidates must submit an application to the City of Seattle as soon as possible. To submit an application, click "Apply" at the top of this job bulletin. A resume and cover letter are not required.
• Register and Complete Two (2) Exam Components: The law enforcement exam components must be self‑scheduled through the National Testing Network (NTN). Examinations are offered virtually or at physical locations across the United States, and the City of Seattle will pay for the exam. The required exam components include:
  • Frontline National (Law Enforcement) Exam
  • Public Safety Self‑Assessment (Parts 1 & 2)

You should receive your final exam results within approximately three weeks after applying and completing all components of your test (Frontline National and PSSA).

Candidates who meet eligibility criteria and pass all portions of the exam will be ranked on an eligible list according to their exam scores. Candidates who pass the civil service exam must then complete and pass all the below pre‑employment steps to become a Seattle police officer. If you have any questions, please contact us at [e-mail].

Exam Notes

• Candidates are NOT required to complete the NTN Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) for the Seattle Police Department.
• If you have taken the NTN exam for a department other than SPD within the last year, you can elect to send your scores to SPD at no cost via the "Department Add" feature in your NTN account. Please contact NTN candidate support if you need assistance transferring your scores to SPD.
• Physical Ability Test: While scheduling your written exam, the NTN system will prompt you to schedule your Washington Physical Ability Test (WAPAT). We encourage you to complete your WAPAT with NTN as soon as possible. Passing the WAPAT is required to move forward in the hiring process. If you are an out‑of‑state candidate, you will not be expected to travel to Washington to complete your WAPAT.
• Backgrounding: Candidates who pass the WAPAT will receive a link via email from the Seattle Police Background Unit to fill out their personal history information. SPD will then conduct a thorough investigation into the candidate’s history. Ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications for this position listed below.
• Medical Evaluation, Psychological Exam, and Polygraph Exam: Candidates must complete a medical evaluation that includes drug screening, medical history, vision and hearing test, and a stress EKG test. A psychological exam will be completed via Zoom. The medical tests can only be completed in person at specific Seattle locations currently.
• Final Offer of Employment: If the candidate completes and passes all the above steps, they will be given an official offer of employment with the Seattle Police Department.

Preference Points

• Veteran’s Preference: for candidates with qualifying military experience
• Language (Multilingual) Preference: for candidates with proficiency in a language other than English
• Human/Social Services Preference: for candidates who have two or more years of verifiable full‑time professional or volunteer experience or equivalent (4,160 cumulative hours) delivering direct human/social services
• City of Seattle Work Preference: for candidates who have prior service as a Police Reserve in the Seattle Police Department as well as those who have served as 911 dispatchers and Parking Enforcement Officers

Position Description

The Seattle Police Department is seeking individuals committed to understanding and protecting the ethical, cultural, and ethnic values of the City of Seattle and its residents as Police Officers. As first responders, Police Officers are vital to public safety and under regular supervision, perform basic police services in accordance with the mission, goals, and objectives of the City of Seattle Police Department and in compliance with governing federal, state, and local laws.

Entry Level Police Officer describes a candidate with no prior law enforcement experience or training, and those who have completed a self‑-sponsored academy and have not worked as a commissioned officer/deputy for a law enforcement agency.

Exceptional Entry Police Officer describes a candidate who has successfully completed a basic law enforcement academy and FTO, but who does not have the required 24 months of full‑time service as a law enforcement officer in the last 36 months to qualify as a lateral applicant. Exceptional Entry Police Officer candidates must test with the entry-level candidates and are not eligible to take the Lateral entry exam.

Job Responsibilities

• Provides for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations. Explains laws and police procedures to residents.
• Operates a patrol car. Patrols city streets, areas and businesses to deter criminal activity and promote public safety.
• Investigates conditions hazardous to life or property; conducts initial investigations of crime and crime scenes; may assist detectives in criminal investigation work. Conducts search and seizure activities as appropriate. Collects and preserves crime scene and evidence.
• Arrests and/or detains suspected violators of the law. Reviews facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
• Records facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
• Renders aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
• Transports individuals in custody.
• Presents evidence and testimony in judicial settings.

The City of Seattle provides police service 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, is required.

Qualifications

Eligibility Standards

• Be at least twenty and half (20.5) years of age.
• Hold United States citizenship, OR have legal permanent residency in the U.S., OR be a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.
• Attained a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency (GED).

Applicants must meet all eligibility standards by the date of participation in the exam process.

Minimum Employment Standards – Drug Use

• Have not used Marijuana within twelve (12) months prior to taking civil service exam
• Have not used cocaine or crack within the previous five (5) years
• Have not used club drugs, such as, but not limited to: Ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, or MDMA (ecstasy) within the previous three (3) years
• Have not used any Hallucinogens, LSD, Mushrooms, or Psilocybin within the previous five (5) years
• Have not used PCP, Angel Dust, Wet or Phencyclidine within the previous five (5) years
• Have not used Opium, Morphine, or Heroin within the previous five (5) years
• Have not used Methamphetamine, Crank, Crystal, Ice, Speed, Glass, or Amphetamine within the previous five (5) years
• Have not inhaled aerosols, sometimes referred to as Huffing (paint) or Whippits (Nitrous Oxide) or used Khat within the previous three (3) years
• Have not used any illegal drug(s) while employed in a criminal justice and/or law enforcement capacity
• Have not manufactured or cultivated illegal drug(s) for the purpose of the sales/marketing of the drug(s)
• Have not sold or facilitated the sale of illegal drugs

Offers of employment are conditioned upon a pre‑employment drug screening to confirm abstinence from illegal drug use.

Traffic Record

• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Reckless Driving, or Hit & Run Driving.
• Suspension of your driver's license within five (5) years of the exam date
• Three (3) or more moving violations (speeding, negligent driving, etc.) within five (5) years of the exam date will be carefully reviewed.
• Two (2) or more accidents within five (5) years of the exam date, wherein candidate was judged to be at fault and/or charged with a moving violation.

Criminal History

A Candidate's Criminal History, Including All Arrests, Prosecutions, Deferred Prosecutions, "Alford" Pleas, And Non-conviction Information Will Be Thoroughly Assessed And May Be Grounds For Disqualification. The Following Will Be Disqualifying.

• Any adult felony conviction.
• Any misdemeanor or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice and/or law enforcement capacity.
• Any domestic violence conviction.

Employment Record

A candidate's employment history, including any terminations, or leaving an employer in lieu of termination, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.

Financial Record

• Failure to pay income tax or child support.

Professional Appearance

All applicants are expected to maintain a professional appearance at all times. SPD has the sole discretion in determining what is considered professional, as it relates to the position of Police Officer. Any and all tattoos, branding (intentional burning of the skin to create a design), voluntary disfigurement (marring or spoiling of the appearance or shape of a body part), or scarification (intentional cutting of the skin to create a design) shall be carefully reviewed by SPD on a case‑by‑case basis.

Other Items

• A valid Washington State Driver's License is required prior to being hired.
• Ability to accurately type at least 35 wpm is highly desirable.
• Seattle residence is not required for application or appointment.

Benefits

The City of Seattle has a comprehensive benefits package for police officers. For more information about benefits, please read the information provided on the City of Seattle website.

Testing Accommodation

Disability accommodations are available to those who qualify. For more information on requesting an accommodation, please visit the NTN Testing FAQ Page (Question 16).