Police Officer: Exceptional-Entry

City of Bothell; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bothell is seeking qualified Police Officers dedicated to integrity, courage, and community service. The role includes patrol duties, criminal investigations, and potential assignments across specialized teams.

Applicants should demonstrate legal eligibility, background suitability, and commitment to diversity. Training and testing through Public Safety Testing are part of the recruitment process.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident.
• Minimum of 21 years of age by certification date.
• High school graduate; associate degree in law enforcement preferred.
• Passing medical exam and drug screen.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, WA Driver's License.
• Clean driving record without serious violations.
• No criminal history involving moral character as per Civil Service.
• Successful completion of required tests (oral, psychological, polygraph).
• Basic Law Enforcement School Certificate or CJTC equivalency required for out-of-state candidates.

Responsibilities

• Perform patrol and law enforcement duties as assigned, including patrol officer responsibilities and special assignments.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion in emergencies.
• Carry out criminal investigations as assigned, with adherence to policies and procedures.
• Maintain departmental accountability for vehicles and equipment and uphold professional standards.
• Engage in non-routine investigations and specialized law enforcement activities as needed.
• Participate in performance evaluations conducted by a supervisor.

Skills

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree in Law Enforcement preferred

Job description

Position Description

Job posting edited as of January 23rd, 2026: Salary information The salary for 2026 has been included.

Job posting edited as of January 1st, 2026: Salary information The anticipated salary for 2026 will include 2.7% cost of living adjustment (COLA). The above salary does not reflect the 2026 COLA of 2.7%.

ATTENTION: An application with the City of Bothell is not required at this time. Complete testing through Public Safety Testing and share your scores with the City of Bothell. Qualified candidates will be notified about the Oral Board. See the Recruitment Process below for more information.

The Bothell Police Department is looking for qualified Police Officers who embody uncompromising integrity, courage, compassion, leadership and creativity. Successful candidates will be dedicated professionals who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others on a daily basis. Applicants should have a desire to seek knowledge and a willingness to learn and grow. We are also looking for individuals who embrace diversity and understand why the inclusion of all races and backgrounds is an important value for our organization and community.

Why Bothell PD? Working for the Bothell Police Department will allow you to build relationships and make a difference in our community. You will be proud to join the “Blue” and represent the City of Bothell. A career as a Bothell Police Officer provides challenge, excitement, variety, teamwork and job satisfaction. Officers are encouraged to think creatively and “outside the box".

There are opportunities for lateral movement and training for specialty assignments such as: ALERT Team (Riot Control), Crime Analysis, Detectives, Field Training Officers, Firearms Instructors and Armorers, Hostage Negotiation Team and Training Instructors, Narcotic K-9 Officer, School Resource Officers, Special Response Team (SWAT), and Traffic and Motors Officer.

Patrol officers get a 3-day weekend every other week! Patrol officers work fourteen 12-hour shifts, either days or nights, within a 28 day cycle.

Recruitment Process

An application with the City of Bothell is not required at this time. Please visit Public Safety Testing to complete the required testing and choose to share your test scores with City of Bothell. Test scores are reviewed on a regular basis and you will be notified by the Bothell Police Department if you are invited to move forward to an Oral Board.

Examples of Essential Duties

General Responsibilities

• Police Officers are expected to perform conscientiously, proficiently and independently, any and all patrol assignments and duties of a regular patrol officer (or special assignments when so assigned). Individuals are responsible for recognizing the importance placed on law enforcement activities by the public and for tactful and courteous treatment of all citizens. Police officers are also responsible for assigned police vehicles and other equipment of the Police Department.
• Police work involves the potential for personal injury and individuals must be able to act without direct supervision and to exercise independent judgment and discretion in meeting emergencies.
• Individuals assigned to work as Detectives may be assigned to perform all authorized activities related to criminal investigations. Work is normally performed in accordance with established policies and procedures but with the application of considerable judgment and latitude in handling all types of investigations, emergency situations, analyzing cases, interpreting and applying the law, and in preparing thorough and accurate cases for court.
• Patrol and criminal investigation assignments are normally performed in accordance with departmental policies, rules, standard operating practice and established precedent, with matters requiring deviation normally referred to next higher command level for decision or direction.
• Individuals may be assigned to special law enforcement activities such as non-routine investigations, surveillance, juvenile matters that call upon specialized abilities and knowledge usually attained through considerable training and experience.
• Performance is reviewed on a continuous basis by a departmental supervisor through a performance appraisal of work methods, results achieved, reports, personal inspection and discussion.

Minimum Qualifications

• United States citizenship or lawful permanent resident.
• Minimum of twenty-one (21) years of age by certification date of eligibility list.
• High school graduate with an Associate degree in Law Enforcement preferred.
• Satisfactory completion of medical exam and drug screen by a licensed physician to ensure that no physical, emotional, sensory or mental conditions exist which could preclude individuals from performing the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain a valid State of Washington Driver's License.
• Driving record free of significant or serious moving violations.
• Personal record free of any crimes or convictions for crimes involving moral character such as theft, dishonesty, or history of regular usage of illegal/illicit drugs, etc. as stated in Civil Service regulations.
• Successful completion of oral, psychological and polygraph tests as prescribed by the Police Civil Service Commission.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a Basic Law Enforcement School Certificate issued by the State of Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission. Out of state candidates, who have previously certified in another state, must pass the CJTC equivalency examination.
• Ability to satisfactorily complete field training in which methods, procedures and techniques of law enforcement work are presented by field training officers.

Exceptional-Entry Officer Minimum Requirements

Academy Graduates (BLEA Certified) shall be either:

• graduates of the WSCJTC Basic Academy holding a current and valid certification through the WSCJTC;
• trainees attending the WSCJTC Basic Academy who have successfully completed the mid-term examination and are scheduled for graduation from Academy within sixty (60) days of applying to be placed on the Academy Graduate Entry Eligibility List.

Out of state candidates, who have been previously certified in another state, must pass the WSCJTC equivalency examination.

Additional Information

Bothell Police Department Core Values

SERVICE, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, EXCELLENCE, LOYALTY, and DUTY

To ensure police department employees embody the core values of the department, job offers are extended contingent upon passing a comprehensive and in-depth personal background and employment investigation. This includes completing a Personal History Statement "PHS", polygraph examination, and a psychological evaluation. This can also include, but is not limited to: interviews with personal and professional acquaintances; review of online/social media presence; review and verification of personal and professional records such as: criminal history checks, fingerprints, credit checks, IRS tax statements, military records, school transcripts, driving abstracts, and Department of Licensing records.

Automatic/Potential Disqualifiers

For questions regarding the background check, please email Sergeant David Nelson.

The City of Bothell is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workforce and community.