Lateral Police Officer

Salary : $95,472.00 - $122,832.00 Annually
Location : City of Bellingham, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-Lateral Police Officer
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 01/01/2026
Closing Date: 12/31/2026 4:30 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Guild


Nature of Work

The Bellingham Police Department is seeking experienced law enforcement officers to join our team.

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 should you apply as a lateral officer with the Bellingham Police Department?

• Lateral officers receive advanced salary placement and vacation accrual based on completed years of service - capped at 10 years of service.
  • 2026 Salary Range: $7,956/mo - $10,236/mo
• 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.
• Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education. For more information regarding salaries, benefits and specialty units, view our lateral recruitment page

Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the and City policy. Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education.
At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our and

• Vacation accrual credit based on completed service (up to a maximum of ten years), with increased accrual per month over time
• 12 paid designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 216 hours of sick leave upon hire + monthly accruals
• 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)

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.
JOB SUMMARY:

This position 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 foot patrol, 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 in 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.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Patrols a designated area of City on foot, bicycle, or in an automobile, motorcycle or small watercraft to investigate, deter and/or discover possible violations of criminal and vehicle (and/or boating) traffic laws, codes and/or ordinances. Maintains radio contact with the dispatch center.
2. Responds to calls, complaints or reports of the actual, possible or potential occurrence of specific criminal activity and takes appropriate action. This may include, but is not limited to, mediating civil disputes or interceding in domestic disturbances; maintaining peace; protecting persons; enforcing traffic laws; apprehending, controlling and arresting persons, including those who are violent and/or emotional; assisting disabled persons, motorists, and others; and providing information and direction.
3. Participates in community policing activities: gains familiarity with individuals, groups, businesses and special issues of assigned community; meets with and makes presentations to community groups; assists in neighborhood problem-solving projects; and sponsors public education programs and activities.
4. Administers immediate assistance to citizens in critical and/or emergency situations where the security of lives and/or property may be endangered. In the course of duty, officers are exposed to a range of physical injuries, accidents, child abuse, mental health concerns, or death where they may be required to administer first aid, CPR or other assistance prior to the arrival of emergency services, and to provide support to victims and families.
5. Secures and controls crime scenes and administers aid, may gather and/or supervise the collection of evidence and witness statements, and arrests or supervises the arrest(s) of suspects.
6. Appears in court to present evidence and testify against persons accused of crime; maintains or supervises surveillance over suspected criminals; arranges and/or participates in the return of fugitives from other cities or from outside the state.
7. Develops and maintains required skills through participation in intermediate or advanced training classes in law enforcement methodology, first aid, regular or special weapons/tactics and procedures and related subjects.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Engages in specialized investigative assignments (e.g., Forensics, Drug/Gang Task Force etc.).
2. Performs specialized assignments (e.g., Neighborhood Resource Officer, Behavioral Health Officer, Canine Unit, SWAT etc.).
3. Works with other law enforcement agencies on special policing assignments and events and/or multi-jurisdiction emergencies as directed.
4. Performs special operations work such as raids and searches as directed.
5. Performs related duties as directed.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in any and all property existing in the City of Bellingham and its environs. This involves working in a variety of environmental conditions and may require: walking, sitting or standing for long periods; running, climbing, jumping, or physical exertion in inclement weather; physical agility in slippery conditions, mountainous or uneven terrain, or in water. Officers work in unaccompanied automobile, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot patrol, maintaining contact with the dispatch center. There is exposure to high-risk situations which require emergency response procedures such as the use of masks, gloves, etc. to prevent contact with infectious diseases; and the use of protective clothing, equipment, firearms and other gear. While in uniform and/or driving a police vehicle, the Police Officer will not be allowed to use or display any tobacco product. Officers work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays.
Physical abilities to perform the essential functions of the job including:

• Physical strength to restrain and control persons and physically defend self;
• Manual dexterity to operate a motor vehicle or handle tools and guns in the performance of assigned tasks, including keyboarding, grasping and reaching.
• Occasionally lift, push, carry and pull materials, objects or persons weighing up to 100 lbs using proper lifting techniques;
• Frequently sit, stand, walk, drive a vehicle or ride a bicycle;
• Occasionally run, jump, climb, balance, kneel, crawl or crouch;
• Frequently communicate verbally;
• Uncorrected vision in either eye of 20/100 or better, vision able to be corrected to 20/20 in better eye and 20/30 in lesser eye.
• Visual acuity including closeness, distance, color, peripheral and depth perception, with the ability to adjust focus and to read a computer screen and typewritten page.

Experience and Training

• Successful completion of WSCJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy; OR
• Successful completion of an approved law enforcement training academy and ability to meet standards prescribed by WSCJTC for eligibility and successful completion of Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy;

AND

• Associate degree or two years (90 quarter hours/60 semester hours) of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university; OR
• High School Diploma or equivalent, AND
• Four years of active military service with honorable discharge (four years of military service may be substituted for two years of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university)

AND

• Two years (Twenty-four months) of full-time paid duty as a sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction providing general law enforcement services, and be in said position at the time of application, or retain active commission.

OR

• Four years of full-time paid duty as a sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction providing general law enforcement services and be in said position at the time of application, or retain active commission (two additional years of experience may substitute for two years of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university).
• Bilingual proficiency highly desirable.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, background investigation, polygraph examination and fingerprinting. Subject to re-check every five years.
• Employment contingent upon passing a psychological and general medical evaluation.
• Employment contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test. (This position is considered a safety sensitive position; therefore, the pre-employment drug test includes testing for cannabis. Positive test results will exclude an applicant from being hired).
• Lateral applicants currently employed and meeting physical standards as police officers in another jurisdiction are accepted as able to meet the physical requirements of the job.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, Red Cross certification for Infant/Child and Adult CPR and Standard First Aid.
• Valid Washington State driver's license or ability to obtain within 30 days of Washington State residency and good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire, with periodic submission of driving abstract per City policy.
• Attainment of the age of 21 years.
• Must be a U. S. citizen, deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient, or a registered permanent resident able to work in the United States. Washington State residency by time of hire.
• No record of felony convictions.
• Misdemeanor convictions will also be reviewed. A misdemeanor conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant but offenses, by their nature and recentness, may reveal a lack of specific qualifications for this position.
• NOTE: A standard 12-month Civil Service probationary period applies for all officers following placement into the Full Performance Police Officer classification.

PLEASE NOTE: Failure to meet the following qualifications on the medical exam is reason for rejection:

• Uncorrected vision in either eye of 20/100 or better.
• Vision able to be corrected to 20/20 in the better eye and 20/30 in the lesser eye.
• Defective color vision or depth perception.
• Hearing from 0-25 decibels.

NOTE: The urinalysis drug screen, background investigation and polygraph examination includes a review of illegal drug use. A history of using illegal drugs, considering the nature and recentness of these offenses, may be grounds for disqualification for this position.

Selection Process
**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**


This process is an open and continuous examination. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Candidates will be notified of their final rank and score regularly as incoming applications are reviewed.

***To comply with the legislative statute of E2SSB 5051 (RCW 43.101), the WSCJTC decided to evaluate each academy curriculum/syllabus hours on a case-by-case basis. If you are an out of state candidate a copy of your academy curriculum/syllabus hours will be required to attend equivalency academy. ***

This recruitment process will create a register that will be used to fill anticipated vacancies. This position is represented by a union.


If you wish to claim Veterans' Preference Points, please complete the and upload it to your application with your DD214.
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City's commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Application Review Process: Candidates will be notified of their final rank and score regularly as incoming applications are reviewed.

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position.
2. Experience and Training Review: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through a Supplemental Question Review. Relevancy of your experience and training, together with composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation will be considered when evaluating responses. Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or greater.
3. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores from the Supplemental Question Review (100%).

The final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examinations, assessments, or tests. Eligible candidates will also be required to complete a Personal History Questionnaire.

• Additional examinations, assessments, or tests may include review of the Application Materials, Personal History Statement (PHS), and Interviews.
• Candidates may be removed from the eligibility register for failure to pass the additional examinations, assessments, or tests.
• Applicants who failed probation, were terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, are about to be terminated, or would not be considered for rehire by their current or former department or agency, may not be eligible for a lateral position.

Please note:

• Candidates may be removed for the reasons specified in Civil Service Rule Section 9 at any time throughout this process.
• Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our for additional information.
This position is represented by the Police Guild bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the
This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems LEOFF plan. LEOFF requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the for more information on LEOFF.
Civil Service Information
This position is subject to the Bellingham Civil Service Commission. When a vacancy occurs, the top fifteen candidates or the top 25% of the register will be forwarded to the department for further consideration. All new Civil Service employees are subject to a one-year probationary period. A candidate may challenge the scope, content, or method of an examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days following the date of the challenged examination. A candidate may also challenge the scoring of an examination or test, failure of the candidate on any part of an examination, or clerical error in examination results of any examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days of notification of the challenged result. The Examiner shall consider all timely filed protests and make appropriate corrections if an error is demonstrated.

Veteran's Scoring Criteria
Applicants who have been honorably discharged from active military duty may be eligible to receive veteran's scoring criteria points as provided by Washington State Law (RCW 41.04.010). If you wish to claim Veterans' Preference Points, please complete the and upload it to your application with your DD214. For applicants claiming veteran preference on a promotional process per RCW 41.04.010, please refer to the job posting for further instructions or contact HR.
01


Thank you for your interest in this position at the City of Bellingham! To ensure a consistent review, only the City of Bellingham job application and required supplemental documents will be reviewed. Cover letters and resumes are not reviewed unless they are required as part of the process. When applying for this position, you must thoroughly complete each section of your application, and provide a thorough response to each of the supplemental questions. Please do not indicate "see resume" or copy content that is unrelated to the position being applied for from your resume when answering these questions.
Have you read and understood the information listed above?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have an Associate's Degree or two years (90 quarter hours/60 semester hours) of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university? Or do you have a substitution as described below?


(Copies of your unofficial transcript(s) for all schools attended must be attached to your application.)

• Yes, I meet the education requirement and have attached my transcript(s).
• I have four years of active military service with honorable discharge and have attached my DD214. (Four years of military service may substitute for the education requirement)
• I have four years of full-time paid duty as a sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction providing general law enforcement services and am in said position at the time of submitting this application or I have had a break in service for 24 months or less and have retained an active commission. (Two additional years of experience as a sworn police officer may substitute for the education requirement.)
• I have not attached my transcript(s) and/or DD214 and understand my application will be marked incomplete.
• I do not meet the stated requirements at this time.

03


If you were recruited by a City of Bellingham employee, can you please list their first and last name?
04


Please indicate your level of experience as it relates to the experience and training requirements.

• I have two years (twenty-four months) of full-time paid duty as a sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction providing general law enforcement services, and be in said position at the time of application, or retain active commission.
• I do not meet this requirement and understand my application will be marked incomplete.

05


Please indicate if you have completed Washington State's CJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) or an accepted Law Enforcement Academy and have the ability to meet BLEA equivalency. Please include your law enforcement training academy name and graduation date.
06


Are you currently in a sworn police officer position, or do you have an active commission within 2 years (24 months) of your most recently held sworn police officer position?

• Yes
• No

07


Are you at least 21 years old?

• Yes
• No

08


Do you have any record of felony convictions?

• Yes
• No

09


Do you have any record of misdemeanor convictions?

• Yes
• No

10


If you answered "YES" to question 11 or 12, please explain the disposition of the case:
Pled guilty
Found guilty
Probationary period required
Probationary period NOT required
Currently on probation

NOTE: Misdemeanor convictions will not necessarily bar you from employment, but offenses may, by their nature and recentness, reveal a lack of specific qualifications necessary for this position.
11


Do you have a valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one by time of hire and a good driving record?

• Yes
• No

12


If you are not currently a Washington State resident, are you willing to become a Washington State resident by the time of hire?

• Yes
• No

13


Why is this the right step for you in your career?
14


Why do you want to join the Bellingham Police Department?
15


What do you know about Bellingham and why do you want to serve this community?
16


Describe any formal training, other than your basic law enforcement academy, that has helped you to become a better police officer. Include any certifications that you have received.
17


Describe your experience in work assignments or divisions outside of patrol. What have been your biggest successes and biggest challenges?
18


If you are requesting Veteran's Preference points, a completed Veterans Scoring Criteria Status Declaration is required along with a copy of your DD214. The required form is in the Selections Process section of the Job Posting. Check "YES" here if you are attaching a Veteran's Preference form and DD214.

• Yes
• No

Required Question