Police Officer - Lateral Entry

City of Port Townsend

Port Townsend (WA)

On-site

USD 87,000 - 108,000

Full time

6 days ago
Be an early applicant
Application generator

Get a reply from this employer — a resume and cover letter tailored to exactly what they’re hiring for.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

LEOFF pension
Health insurance
Dental & Vision
Paid time off
Holidays
EAP

Job summary

The City of Port Townsend is seeking experienced police officers for lateral entry to create a hiring eligibility list for upcoming vacancies this year. The role includes a base pay range of $41.53 to $47.67 per hour, with total compensation up to $51.96 per hour, plus longevity, education incentives, and specialty pay as outlined in the bargaining agreement.

Residency rules require living within 50 road miles of Port Townsend within six months of hire. Equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Valid Washington State driver license.
  • Must be 21+ at time of employment.
  • Pass background investigation, polygraph, psych eval, agility and medical exam.

Responsibilities

  • Maintain essential duties as a sworn officer.
  • Participate in field training and probation processes.
  • Support community safety and respond to calls for service.
  • Adhere to department policies and certification requirements.

Skills

High school diploma or GED
Washington driver license
Minimum 21 years old
Background investigation
First aid & CPR
Basic Academy

Education

Washington State Basic Academy

Job description

The City of Port Townsend is accepting applications from experienced police officers who qualify for lateral entry to create a hiring eligibility list to use for future vacancies this year.

HIRING BONUS FOR LATERAL POLICE OFFICERS: $12,500

Port Townsend is located on the Olympic Peninsula just two hours from Seattle. The city's 10,330 residents and over a million visitors a year enjoy its historic seaport character mixed with a vibrant creative culture. www.enjoypt.com

The department handles approximately 10,000 calls for service each year. Between incidents, officers enjoy time to pursue special projects, manage professional growth, and interact with residents, business owners, and visitors. The department's 17 commissioned officers and 4 support staff members maintain strong partnerships with area law enforcement agencies, fire departments, hospital staff, and mental health officials.

To qualify as a lateral applicant, you must meet the minimum qualifications in the police officer job description (below) AND:

  • have graduated from a basic law enforcement training as accepted by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission;
  • have successfully completed field training and passed probation as a fulltime, active, sworn municipal, county, state, federal or trial law enforcement officer;
  • have not been separated from law enforcement for more than 60 months at the time of hire; and
  • be able to perform all essential functions

Residency requirement: All police officers must reside with fifty (50) road miles of Port Townsend city limits within six months of hire date.

Qualifications

Full job description available here.

Required
  • High school graduate or GED.
  • Washington State driver's license at time of employment and ability to maintain a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier.
  • Minimum 21 years of age at time of employment.
  • Submit to and pass a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological examination, physical agility test and a full physical examination prior to employment.
  • No felony convictions, or convictions for misdemeanors involving moral turpitude.
  • Current first aid card and CPR Certification at time of appointment.
  • Successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission approved Basic Academy.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
  • Employees in this job description are required to maintain all mandatory job related certifications to include but not limited to Washington State Peace Officer Certification, firearms qualification, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Washington State driver's license.
Benefits
  • WA State LEOFF pension plan
  • Optional 457 Deferred Comp with 50% match of up to 4% base earnings
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance through WA Teamsters Welfare Trust Fund *
  • Time loss/short-term disability insurance
  • Life & AD&D insurance
  • Retirees' Welfare Trust funded by employee
  • Sick leave (earns 1 day per month)
  • May be eligible for sick leave conversion annually
  • Vacation (graduated accrual schedule starts at 8 hours per month)
  • 12 paid holidays (accrued at 10 hours per month) **
  • Up to 5 days of bereavement leave, if applicable
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Compensation

Base pay: $41.53-47.67 per hour (five-step system)

Total compensation range: $41.53-51.96 per hour (including maximum potential longevity, educational incentive, and specialty pay)

This position may be eligible for the additional compensation listed below. Details can be found in the Collective Bargaining Agreement:
  • Longevity pay on a graduated schedule starting at 1% after 2 years up to 9% after 20 years
  • Educational incentive: 3% for Associate's degree; 5% for Bachelor's degree
  • Overtime pay
  • Compensatory time
  • Holiday pay (if scheduled or called in on a holiday)
  • Specialty pay of 1% for assignments such as detective or Field Training Officer
  • Jury duty pay at regular rate during service
  • Call-back payPlain clothes assignment and laundry allowance, when assigned by Chief
  • Teamsters initiation fee is $100 and monthly dues are 2.25 of hourly wage x the base hourly rate rounded to the nearest dollar.
  • Officers may be required to work on holidays.

The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Get your free, confidential resume review.
or drag and drop your file here.
Similar jobs

Similar jobs worth comparing

Police Officer - Academy-Certified
Police Officer - Academy-Certified

City of Port Townsend • Port Townsend (WA)

On-site
USD 56,000 - 72,000
LEOFF pension
Medical/dental/vision
Sick leave
+2
Police Sergeant
Police Sergeant

City of Port Townsend • Port Townsend (WA)

On-site
USD 73,563 - 80,451
457 Deferred Comp
Health insurance
Disability insurance
+6
Lateral Police Officer - $12.5K Hiring Bonus
Lateral Police Officer - $12.5K Hiring Bonus

City of Port Townsend • Port Townsend (WA)

On-site
USD 87,000 - 108,000
LEOFF pension
Health insurance
Dental & Vision
+3
Lateral Police Officer
Lateral Police Officer

City of Port Orchard • Port Orchard (WA)

On-site
USD 65,000 - 74,000
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
+8
Police Officer - Lateral (up to $25,000 hiring incentive and $5,000 moving expenses) (2026-00003)
Police Officer - Lateral (up to $25,000 hiring incentive and $5,000 moving expenses) (2026-00003)

City of Lake Stevens • Lake Stevens (WA)

On-site
USD 94,000 - 119,000
Up to $25k bonus
Moving expenses reimbursement
Education pay (associates/bachelor's/M
+6
Police Officer — Coastal City PD with Great Benefits
Police Officer — Coastal City PD with Great Benefits

City of Port Townsend • Port Townsend (WA)

On-site
USD 56,000 - 72,000
LEOFF pension
Medical/dental/vision
Sick leave
+2
Lateral or Exceptional Police Officer
Lateral or Exceptional Police Officer

National Police • Lake Forest Park (WA)

Hybrid
USD 84,000 - 105,000
Paid vacation leave
Paid holidays
Paid sick leave
+5
Police Officer - Exceptional Entry
Police Officer - Exceptional Entry

National Police • Seattle (WA), Northern (KY)

Hybrid
USD 90,000 - 110,000
Experienced/Lateral Police Officer
Experienced/Lateral Police Officer

National Police • Washington

On-site
USD 97,000 - 127,000
POLICE OFFICER - Entry Level, BLEA Certified, and Lateral Transfer
POLICE OFFICER - Entry Level, BLEA Certified, and Lateral Transfer

Pullman Wa • Pullman (WA)

On-site
USD 50,000 - 70,000
Health insurance options
Vision & dental insurance
Retirement plans
+1