Lateral Police Officer

Under general supervision, performs general duty police work to enforce the law, preserve public safety and order, and apprehend offenders.

LATERAL HIRING SIGNING BONUS

A $25,000 phased incentive for qualified lateral police officer hires.

$10,000 upon hire
$5,000 after successful completion of field training
$10,000 at the completion of probation (18 months)
In addition, each lateral hire will receive a one-time leave bank of 106.7 hours of annual leave.

Participating officers will be required to serve a minimum of three years with the Olympia Police Department. Officers who voluntarily separate before meeting this requirement would be obligated to repay the incentive on a prorated basis, with exceptions for medical retirement, injury, or disability.

Essential Functions

The information contained in this classification specification is a representative sample of essential and other functions performed in this classification. Specific essential functions are identified for position recruitment or other administrative procedures.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
1. Police Officers are employed at three distinct levels, Police Officer - Recruit, Police Officer - Academy Graduate, and Police Officer - Advanced Entry.
2. The levels are distinguished as follows: Police Officer - Recruit:
1. Requires no prior Police experience.
2. Police Officer - Recruits are employed at a rate 10% below step A of the salary range for Police Officer.
3. When recruits complete FTO training and are capable of independently performing assigned police duties, they advance to step A of the salary range.
4. As a condition of employment Police Officer Recruits are required to attend and successfully complete the law enforcement training academy approved by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) within 6 months of hire.

Police Officer - Recruit:
1. Requires no prior Police experience.
2. Police Officer - Recruits are employed at a rate 10% below step A of the salary range for Police Officer.
3. When recruits complete FTO training and are capable of independently performing assigned police duties, they advance to step A of the salary range.
4. As a condition of employment Police Officer Recruits are required to attend and successfully complete the law enforcement training academy approved by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) within 6 months of hire.

Police Officer - Academy Graduate:
1. Requires graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy prior to appointment.
2. Police Officer - Academy Graduates are employed at a rate 10% below step A of the salary range for Police Officer.
3. When Academy Graduates complete FTO training and are capable of independently performing assigned police duties, they advance to step A of the salary range.
4. Graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy and ability to meet standards prescribed by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for equivalency is required.

Police Officer - Advanced Entry:
1. Requires prior police experience and graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy prior to appointment.
2. Police Officers - Advanced Entry who complete their FTO training are expected to independently perform assigned police duties.
3. Candidates who completed a law enforcement academy outside of Washington State are responsible for establishing equivalency, according to standards prescribed by the WSCJTC after appointment.

Examples of Duties:
1. Patrols designated area of the City during an assigned shift in a patrol car, on a motorcycle or on foot.
2. Responds to calls for police assistance or investigation; establishes and maintains control of persons and traffic at the scene; provides protection of life and property, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, takes statements, issues citations and makes arrests.
3. Prepares written reports in accordance with departmental policies and procedures, including case, complaint and shift reports.
4. Appears personally in court and testifies as witness or arresting officer.
5. Prepares and presents oral presentations as a public service to schools, community action groups and the general public.
6. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police work and the laws governing arrest, custody of prisoners, search and seizure and rules of evidence.
2. Knowledge of patrol procedures, criminal investigation techniques, criminal identification and records maintenance.
3. Knowledge of court rules and procedures.
4. Knowledge of radio procedures.
5. Ability to cope with a wide variety of situations with tact, discretion, courtesy and respect for citizen's rights.
6. Ability to prepare written reports in an accurate, comprehensive, timely and legible manner.
7. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
8. Ability to speak effectively to individuals and groups.
9. Ability to maintain composure and take responsible action during stressful or dangerous situations.
10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and enforcement officials, general public and other employees.
11. Ability to practice first aid.
12. Ability to use and maintain firearms.
13. Skill in the safe and effective use of self-defense weapons and methods.

Required Experience/Education:

1. Police Officer - Recruit: High School graduation or GED equivalent.
2. Police Officer - Academy Graduate:  Candidates must be employed as a full-time, paid peace officer with a municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement agency within the previous 24 months at the time of application.  Graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy and ability to meet standards prescribed by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for equivalency is required.
3. Police Officer - Advanced Entry:  Candidates must be employed as a full-time, paid peace officer with a municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement agency within the previous 24 months at the time of application; and must have been continuously employed as a full-time, paid peace officer for at least 24 months.  Graduation from an approved law enforcement training academy and ability to meet standards prescribed by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for equivalency is required.

Special Requirements:

1. Police Officers must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years of age at the time of hire.
2. A valid Washington State Drivers' License is required upon employment.
3. Successful completion of polygraph and psychological examinations, and criminal background investigation are required prior to hire.
4. Ability to meet and maintain physical and health standards is a condition of employment.
5. Ability to possess a firearm in accordance with Federal or State regulations is a condition of continuing employment.
6. Conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence may result in not being hired or termination of employment as a commissioned police officer.

Union:

Police Guild

Compensation (minimum-maximum):

$0.00 - $0.00

Exempt:

No

For general application or position questions please contact the hiring supervisor or Human Resources at [email protected].

The City of Olympia complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Manny Bosser, Director of Human Resources, at (360)753-8309 or [email protected]. This contact is for ADA accommodations only. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the manager noted in the Contact section near the top of this recruitment.