Police Officer - Entry

Job Description

Job Description

Keeping the residents of Des Moines, Washington safe requires finding the best people for the job. The Des Moines Police Department is currently seeking experienced law enforcement officers, who are pro-active, community-minded and looking to make a difference to apply for immediate openings.

The City of Des Moines contracts with Public Safety Testing to conduct Entry-Level Police Officer testing.

TO APPLY: Go to

• You will be able to fill out the Public Safety Testing initial application and select the testing date, time and location most convenient for you. You may also contact Public Safety Testing directly at 1-866-HIRE-911.

If you have any questions about the position or the examination and selection process, please contact Alexandra Reyes, Civil Service Secretary/Chief Examiner, at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com or View email address on ziprecruiter.com.

Hiring Incentive

• $3,000 hiring incentive paid in three (3) installments
• (40) hours of vacation upon successful completion of the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy

Job Summary

Under general supervision, the Police Officer performs a wide variety of duties involving the enforcement of laws and the prevention of crimes; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic regulations; issues citations; participates in and conducts a variety of criminal investigations; makes arrests; provides support and assistance to special crime prevention and law enforcement program.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Possession of valid Washington State Driver's License by the time of appointment.
• Must be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of application.
• Pursuant to RCW 41.12.070, must be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident who can read and write the English language.
• Because of the known effects of tobacco use, the City of Des Moines does not hire applicants who use tobacco products.
• Must successfully pass all background screening conducted by the Department, including, but not limited to, drug history, driving record, credit history, criminal record, work history, reference check, and Chief's interview; if given a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be polygraphed and will undergo a psychological examination and a medical examination which includes drug testing.
• See City of Des Moines Police Officer Disqualifiers.

Click the link below for Full Job Description.

About the Des Moines Police Department

• The mission of the Department is to provide quality, professional law enforcement services. The Department believes that the cornerstone of the community is making its citizens feel safe from crime and the fear of crime. This effectively improves the quality of life in our city and allows the community to prosper and grow. In joining the Department, new officers make the Department's mission their own and are expected to carry out these responsibilities diligently and courteously, taking pride in themselves and the services they provide.
• The Department has two divisions: Support Services and Operations. Dispatch and jail support are contracted through regional service providers. The Community Oriented Policing concept has been adopted and is vigorously applied to day-to-day operations.
• The City of Des Moines' Police Department is comprised of:
  • 1 Chief of Police
  • 2 Assistant Chiefs of Police
  • 7 Sergeants
  • 20 Patrol Officers
  • 7 Detectives
  • 1 Traffic Enforcement Police Officer
  • 2 Community Service Officers
  • 8 Police Support Employees

Premium Pay and Benefits

• Educational incentive pay: 2.5% for AA/AS/AT, 4% for BA/BS, 5% for MA/MS/MPA
• Specialty Pay premiums such as Field Training Officer, SWAT, Drug Recognition Expert, Collision Technician, K9, Valley Independent Investigative Team (VITT), etc.
• Previous years of aggregate service as a commissioned law enforcement officer may be considered for initial placement on the DMPD wage scale
• Longevity premiums after five (5) years of service at DMPD
• Bilingual pay
• Patrol schedule consists of 12-hour shifts working 3 days on, 3 days off, on a rotating basis
• Bank of 104 hours of holiday leave received each January
• Up to 80 hours of holiday time may be cashed out each December
• 110 hours of Kelly Time off per year
• 96 hours of paid vacation leave per year, progressing up to 192 hours per year
• The City offers two medical plan options: LEOFF Trust Plan F (Premera) and Kaiser Permanente
• Employer paid dental and orthodontia
• Employer funded-HRA-VEBA account
• The City participates in the Washington State LEOFF retirement system.
• In addition, the City contributes 6.52% of wages to a 401(a) Social Security replacement plan.

EOE: The City of Des Moines is an Equal Opportunity Employer