Police Officer - Entry Level

Salem Police Department

Salem Police Department Core Values: Collaboration | Honor | Integrity | Compassion

Salary information:

Hourly Rate: $39.11 to $49.92

Monthly Rate: $6,779.07 to $8,652.80

Certifications, Training, & College Incentives: 2% - 10%

Extra Duty/Specialized Assignment Incentive: 2.5% - 5%

Bi-Lingual Incentive: 5%

Other Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family, Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%. Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies. Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account. Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Voluntary long-term care. Employee wellness program. Employee assistance program. Employee health clinic. Free, secure parking. Department gym available for employee use.

The City offers an excellent compensation and benefits package which can be found by clicking here.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be at least 21 years old at date of hire.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or have the ability to become one within 18 months of hire.
• Participate in competitive testing including physical fitness testing, reading comprehension, writing skills, written, physical/vision, hearing and psychological examinations, and be able to pass strict Police Department background investigation.
• Must pass the pre-employment drug test (including marijuana).
• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Must be able to work periodic overtime and a variety of 24-hour rotating shifts including holidays and weekends.
• High School graduate or have completed a G.E.D.
• Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Ability to complete departmental recruit training course and to gain eligibility for Basic Certificate issued by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).
• A valid Oregon driver's license, or out of state equivalent, or ability to obtain by date of hire; must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City's standard.

Disqualifiers and Eliminating Factors:

• OAR 259-008.
• No felony convictions.
• No convictions for crimes involving domestic violence.
• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of military service.
• No more than three (3) traffic (moving) convictions in the last three (3) years.

Hiring Process:

Applicants must submit a completed application and provide valid test results for NTN Frontline National Test (NTN) and Oregon Physical Agility Test (ORPAT) or out-of-state PAT equivalent by August 23, 2026 to be considered in the hiring process.

NTN & ORPAT/PAT Requirements:

• 70% in Writing
• 70% in Reading
• 65% in Video/Media

Applicants must complete the ORPAT in 6:30 or less to pass. However, the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) requires a time of 5:30 or less for graduation.

For practice tests, visit here. For exam scheduling assistance, visit NTN's job listing.

For ORPAT preparation tips, visit here. For test scheduling, visit ORPAT scheduling.

Out-of-State Applicants: If you have a valid PAT test from another state or the military, you may submit your score with your application, provided it is less than 12 months old from the job announcement closing date.

Hired applicants are eligible for a $100 reimbursement for NTN and ORPAT testing costs.

About Us:

The Salem Police Department is the 4th largest agency in the State of Oregon. We are a full-service department to include many special teams. Our new facility is a 104,000 square foot building with many amenities for employees to include an indoor/outdoor breakroom, and a work-out room/locker room.

The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon. Located in the lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 180,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.

A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members. The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Community Planning and Development department.

Where Can I Find Out More About The Position?

Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Police Officer or view by clicking here.

Job Interest Cards – sign up today! You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City.

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at

How Can I Apply?

The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.

To apply, click on the green "Apply" button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.

Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.

EEO/Women, veterans and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Contact Information:

Sgt. Robert Dowd

View phone number on click.appcast.io

policejobs