Police Officer - Experienced (Lateral)

Kirkland Police Department; Kirkland (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kirkland Police Department is seeking a dedicated Lateral Police Officer to join its team in Kirkland, Washington. The role involves conducting investigations, interviewing witnesses, and testifying in court to enforce city and state laws.

Incentives include a $25,000 package for lateral hires, with payments tied to training and probation milestones. Candidates must meet strict state requirements, possess a valid WA driver’s license, and maintain high ethical standards.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• No felony convictions as an adult.
• Fluent English reading, writing and speaking.
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License and pass CJTC Fitness Ability Test Battery.
• Completed accredited Police Basic Training Academy and a minimum of 12 months full-time sworn service preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform preliminary and follow-up investigations to apprehend suspects.
• Contact and interview witnesses and victims; collect and preserve evidence and maintain chain of custody.
• Prepare criminal investigation reports and provide testimony in court.

Skills

Public interaction

Verbal communication

Written communication

Driving

Physical fitness

Education

Police Basic Training Academy

US citizen or permanent resident

Job description

Why Work for Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!

If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they’ll tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive management and City Council, and fearless innovation.

We also invest in you!

Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.

Awesome Benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.

Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has agreements with two local childcare providers that offer discounted rates for our employees at 10 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland. Learn more!

Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.

Job Summary

Performs the functions of law enforcement necessary to maintain community interaction, public peace, protect life and property, prevent crime, apprehend violators of the law and otherwise assure proper enforcement of the laws and ordinances of the City of Kirkland and the State of Washington. Contribute to the apprehension of criminal suspects by conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations. This would involve contacting and interviewing witnesses and victims of a crime; sketching, photographing a crime scene; dusting for latent fingerprints; and collecting other evidence and preserving the chain of evidence. The position prepares criminal investigation reports and testifies in court.

Applicants hired as a Lateral Police Officer for the Kirkland Police Department will receive a $25,000 incentive:

• $5,000 to be paid on the first paycheck following the Lateral Officer's hire;
• $10,000 to be paid after the Lateral Officer's successful completion of the field training program; and
• $10,000 to be paid after the Lateral Officer's successful completion of the probationary period.

Special Note

This is a continuous recruitment. Applications will be screened as openings occur and hiring will be staggered throughout the year.

• Must have, or be able to attain, good working knowledge of City of Kirkland laws.
• Must have good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to deal with the public in a fair and equal manner.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to participate in the use of physical force and training for such on a continuing basis.

Minimum Qualifications

At time of application you must be 21 years of age; a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident, must not have any felony convictions as an adult and have vision correctable to 20/20 in each eye. Must possess the ability to read, write and speak fluent English. Must have the physical capability to successfully meet the Criminal Justice Training Commission Fitness Ability Test Battery. Must have successfully completed an accredited Police Basic Training Academy curriculum and have a minimum of 12 months full-time service in the last 60 months (prefer current) as a sworn municipal, county or state officer. Out of state laterals must complete the State Equivalency Academy. At time of hiring applicant must have a valid Washington State Drivers’ License.

Automatic Disqualifiers:

Applicants should not apply if they indicate any of the following disqualifiers:

Driving: 1 or more criminal traffic convictions in the last 5 years (DUI, Reckless Driving, Hit & Run, etc.) Suspension of driver's license within the past 5 years. Applicants driving record will be carefully reviewed.

Drug Use: Any use or distribution of illegal drugs while employed by a law enforcement agency Pattern of illegal use of prescription medication

Criminal Activity: Any adult felony conviction, any misdemeanor or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice capacity, conviction of any crime under a domestic violence statute, any participation in the manufacture, selling, offering to sell, distribution or transporting for sale any illegal drugs/narcotics. Adult misdemeanor convictions and juvenile felony convictions will be carefully reviewed.

Employment: Dishonorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces, lied during any stage of the hiring process, falsified application materials, Personal History Questionnaire, or any other forms during the hiring process, previous revocation or denial of any certified status (i.e., CJTC/POST) or suspension of current CJTC/POST certified status.

Financial: Failure to pay income tax or child support, any conduct or pattern of behavior that would tend to disrupt, diminish, or otherwise jeopardize public trust in the law enforcement profession. Current credit accounts or unresolved accounts in collection will be thoroughly reviewed.

Other: Tattoos on arms and legs which would be visible while wearing short-sleeved uniform shirts and/or uniform shorts may be submitted for review and approval per current policy language.

Preferred Qualifications

Prefer current service (minimum of 12 months full-time) as a sworn municipal, county or state officer.

Working Conditions & Physical Activities

The working environment is characterized by the potential for physical, verbal and psychological assault by prisoners or individuals suspected of crime. Dependent on assignment and task, the work period may be eight to twelve hours a day. Other physical activ