Police Officer Recruit

Bellingham Police Department; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave

Holidays

Sick leave

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

LEOFF retirement

457 Deferred Compensation

Job summary

The City of Bellingham is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer Recruit. This role participates in formal and on-the-job training in law enforcement principles, with a path to the Police Academy and a subsequent promotion to Full Performance status.

Recruit salaries, benefits, and a structured 12-month probationary period follow civil service guidelines. If you excel, you advance to full officer responsibilities and duties under supervision, including patrol

Qualifications

• Police Officer (Recruit) participates in formal and on-the-job training in law enforcement principles, techniques and procedures, departmental organization, rules, policies, and related laws.
• With successful completion of the Police Academy, the employee shall move to the Full Performance Police Officer classification in a non-competitive promotion.
• A standard 12-month Civil Service probationary period applies for all officers following placement into the Full Performance Police Officer classification.

Responsibilities

• Patrolling in an unaccompanied automobile, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot, and/or conducting detailed criminal investigations, traffic regulation, or community policing activities in a designated area on an assigned shift.
• Employees are sworn to act on behalf of the Police Department and the City of Bellingham and carry firearms in the performance of their duties.
• Employees may be directed to work on, lead, or plan special projects or assignments which call upon specialized abilities and knowledge attained through experience as a uniformed officer.

Job description

The City of Bellingham is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer Recruit.

JOB SUMMARY:

Police Officer (Recruit) participates in formal and on-the-job training in law enforcement principles, techniques and procedures, departmental organization, rules, policies, and related laws. Also receives training in the use, care and maintenance of assigned equipment. Employees will remain in the Recruit classification in probationary status prior to and while attending the Police Academy.

With successful completion of the Police Academy, the employee shall move to the Full Performance Police Officer classification in a non-competitive promotion effective the first day of the pay period immediately following such academy completion. A standard 12-month Civil Service probationary period applies for all officers following placement into the Full Performance Police Officer classification.

Police Officer (Full Performance) performs fully responsible, professional, general duty police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. After a period of formal and on-the-job training, employees in this class are responsible for independent law enforcement duties ranging from average to considerable difficulty and performed under general supervision of a sergeant or other ranking officer.

Work normally involves patrolling in an unaccompanied automobile, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot, and/or conducting detailed criminal investigations, traffic regulation, or community policing activities in a designated area on an assigned shift. Work involves a substantial element of danger and requires the responsible exercise of appropriate judgment in meeting critical emergency situations. Employees are sworn to act on behalf of the Police Department and the City of Bellingham and carry firearms in the performance of their duties.

Employees may be directed to work on, lead, or plan special projects or assignments which call upon specialized abilities and knowledge attained through experience as a uniformed officer. Work of this class may be reviewed by superior officers via personal inspection, reviews of reports and/or oral discussion.

For more information, please review the job classification for Full Performance Officer.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

WHY WORK FOR THE BELLINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT?

Patrol Officers work a 1040 work schedule of five, 10.7 hour days on, four days off, five days on, four days off, five days on, five days off, repeating monthly.

Training opportunities, the 1040 work schedule allows for one full training day a month.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• The 2026 Recruit salary is $7,022/month. Upon entry to the Basic Law Enforcement Academy salary is $7,724/month. Upon graduation from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy the salary is $7,956. The salary range for a Full Performance Police Officer is $7,956-$10,236/month.
• Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education. For more information regarding salary, benefits, specialty units and premiums, view our recruitment page.
• Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Police Guild (Police Officers) Collective Bargaining Unit and City policy. Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education.
• 7.34 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 216 hours of sick leave upon hire + accruals per collective bargaining agreement
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (LEOFF) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

TESTING PROCESS:

Applicants interested in this position must complete testing through Public Safety Testing. Please visit the Upcoming Tests & Events on Public Safety Testing website for information regarding the testing process. Applicants that pass the written exam and physical ability test with Public Safety Testing and scores are made available to our agency between 9/1/26 - 10/31/26 will receive an invitation to apply.

Please visit the Public Safety Testing website (https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/) to schedule. Applicants must complete the written exam and pass the physical ability test through Public Safety Testing prior to being invited to apply.

Please note, if you receive an invitation to apply, you must apply no later than 4:30 P.M., on 11/11/26 in order to be considered for this specific process. Applicants that have successfully passed the exam through PST and scores have been released to our agency between 9/1/26 - 10/31/26 will have eight (8) business days to complete the City of Bellingham applicati