Police Officer - Lateral

Mount Vernon Police Department; Mount Vernon (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lateral signing bonus $25,000

Signing bonus $20,000 with 80‑hour VAC

Job summary

Mount Vernon Police Department is seeking Experienced Police Officers to serve the City of Mount Vernon with a strong commitment to community safety. The department is offering a choice between a $25,000 lateral signing bonus or a $20,000 signing bonus plus an 80‑hour vacation bank, payable in installments.

Duties include patrolling assigned areas, enforcing laws, investigating incidents, interviewing witnesses, and preparing reports.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 21
• U.S. citizen or eligible status
• Out of state applicants must obtain WA driver's license within 30 days of hire
• Must pass oral civil service, background, polygraph, psychological, and medical exams
• Must hold a valid peace officer certificate recognized by WA CJTC
• Lateral entry waiver: college requirement waived for officers with 3+ years continuous service

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas in a patrol vehicle and on foot; aid those in trouble; conduct on-scene investigations and file reports
• Enforce city ordinances and traffic laws; issue citations; arrest with proper procedures; assist in investigations
• Respond to crime scenes, interview victims and witnesses, gather evidence, and prepare case files
• Present evidence in court; perform court officer duties if needed; participate in training sessions

Education

High school diploma or GED

90 quarter hours (60 semester) college credits

Job description

The City of Mount Vernon has an exciting opportunity for Experienced Police Officers who have a passion for community service and are looking for a new opportunity to serve the City of Mount Vernon.

Take a look at what our department is about: http://www.mountvernonwa.gov/373/Police. Our Mission: To consistently seek and find ways to affirmatively promote, preserve, and deliver a feeling of security, safety, and productive, quality services to citizens and visitors in our community.

NOTE: The Mount Vernon Police Department is now offering a $25,000 lateral signing bonus OR the option of a $20,000 signing bonus with an 80-hour vacation bank for lateral entry police officers payable in three installments.

$25,000 Bonus:

• $10,000 to be paid on the first paycheck following the officer's hire
• $10,000 to be paid after successful completion of the field training program
• $5,000 to be paid upon successful completion of the probationary period

$20,000 bonus and a vacation bank of 80 hours:

• $10,000 to be paid on the first paycheck following the officer's hire
• $5,000 to be paid after successful completion of the field training program
• $5,000 to be paid upon successful completion of the probationary period

Duties:

• Patrols a designated area of the City in a police patrol vehicle and/or on foot to deter and discover crime; does on-the-scene investigations at crime scenes; aids persons in trouble; and renders appropriate public services as needed.
• Enforces traffic and parking ordinances; operates a radar unit to discover speed violations; routinely checks vehicle identification against current list of stolen vehicles and identification of violator drivers against list of outstanding warrants. Provides traffic control assistance as necessary.
• Issues citations to violators of City Ordinances; serves warrants of arrest; arrests persons on misdemeanor and felony charges; handcuffs and searches arrested persons and secures their custody; completes necessary reports concerning the alleged crime, circumstances of arrest and available evidence and witnesses.
• Responds to reports of possible crime and takes action, as situation requires, to secure the scene; interviews victims and witnesses; gathers evidence and arrests suspects; completes Incident and Arrest Reports; investigates persons suspected of being engaged in crime; ascertains and secures evidence pertaining to alleged crime; and arrests suspects for probable cause.
• Reports to scene of automobile accidents; administers emergency first aid and summons aid cars and other patrol units for assistance in treating the injured and controlling the scene; interviews principals and witnesses; makes general drawings of accident scenes, notes details, and completes a standard Accident Report; issues citations or makes arrests as situation warrants.
• Investigates and assists drivers in stalled vehicles, and pedestrians who appear to be hurt or in trouble; interviews persons with complaints or inquires, gives information on law and ordinances and attempts to resolve the problem or to direct them to proper authorities.
• Investigates family disputes, reports of maltreatment of children, and complaints about mentally ill persons; may take principals into custody or turn them over or refer them to appropriate agencies such as juvenile and medical authorities; preserves the peace during conflicts between individuals and groups, and answers citizen complaints.
• Performs guard duty at hospitals and in court; transfers prisoners to and from jail.
• Does thorough investigations of reported crimes, including collecting and preserving evidence; interviews victims and witnesses; locates, arrests, and interviews suspects; arranges line-ups for victim and witness identification; gathers evidence and conducts necessary searches; develops information pertinent to the investigation and follows that information to a conclusion; prepares case file detailing all aspects of an investigation; obtains and executes search warrants when directed, and presents to Detective Division for filing with Prosecuting Attorney.
• Develops street contacts to obtain information about crime; maintains contact with paroled criminals and suspects at large; does undercover and decoy work; checks known and possible stolen property outlets such as pawnshops and junkyards.
• Testifies in court and serves all proper court documents. Serves as Court Officer, if necessary.
• Attends training sessions, as necessary.
• May perform all specialized duties, depending upon individual officer’s background and abilities and the needs of the Department.
• Responds to such complaints as bomb threats and takes appropriate action, including searching for hazardous material.
• Represents the Department in public as public speaker when assigned to do so.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 21 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum of 90 quarter hours (60 semester) at an accredited college or university.
• The college education requirement will be waived for lateral officers with three or more years of continuous service, in good standing and current on all state mandated requirements.
• U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.
• Out of state applicants must obtain a valid Washington State Drivers License within 30 days of hire.
• Must be able to successfully pass the following:
• Oral Civil Service Examination
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph Examination
• Psychological Examination
• Medical Examination
• Applicants must possess a valid and current peace officer certificate from a state training commission that is recognized by the State of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, and has been employed for a minimum of 12 consecutive months, within the last 24 months, as a full-time law enforcement officer with a civilian law enforcement agency.
• A lateral entry officer must have no more than six months break in service, from sepa