Lateral Police Officer

Police Officer

The City of Mount Vernon has an exciting opportunity for Experienced Police Officers who have a passion for community service and are looking for a new opportunity to serve the City of Mount Vernon. Take a look at what our department is about:

Our Mission: To consistently seek and find ways to affirmatively promote, preserve, and deliver a feeling of security, safety, and productive, quality services to citizens and visitors in our community.

Examples of work performed include patrolling a designated area of the City in a police patrol vehicle and/or on foot to deter and discover crime; doing on-the-scene investigations at crime scenes; aiding persons in trouble; and rendering appropriate public services as needed.

Other duties include enforcing traffic and parking ordinances; operating a radar unit to discover speed violations; routinely checking vehicle identification against current list of stolen vehicles and identification of violator drivers against list of outstanding warrants. Providing traffic control assistance as necessary.

Issues citations to violators of City Ordinances; serves warrants of arrest; arrests persons on misdemeanor and felony charges; handcuffs and searches arrested persons and secures their custody; completes necessary reports concerning the alleged crime, circumstances of arrest and available evidence and witnesses.

Responds to reports of possible crime and takes action, as situation requires, to secure the scene; interviews victims and witnesses; gathers evidence and arrests suspects; completes Incident and Arrest Reports; investigates persons suspected of being engaged in crime; ascertains and secures evidence pertaining to alleged crime; and arrests suspects for probable cause.

Reports to scene of automobile accidents; administers emergency first aid and summons aid cars and other patrol units for assistance in treating the injured and controlling the scene; interviews principals and witnesses; makes general drawings of accident scenes, notes details, and completes a standard Accident Report; issues citations or makes arrests as situation warrants.

Investigates and assists drivers in stalled vehicles, and pedestrians who appear to be hurt or in trouble; interviews persons with complaints or inquires, gives information on law and ordinances and attempts to resolve the problem or to direct them to proper authorities.

Investigates family disputes, reports of maltreatment of children, and complaints about mentally ill persons; may take principals into custody or turn them over or refer them to appropriate agencies such as juvenile and medical authorities; preserves the peace during conflicts between individuals and groups, and answers citizen complaints.

Performs guard duty at hospitals and in court; transfers prisoners to and from jail.

Does thorough investigations of reported crimes, including collecting and preserving evidence; interviews victims and witnesses; locates, arrests, and interviews suspects; arranges line-ups for victim and witness identification; gathers evidence and conducts necessary searches; develops information pertinent to the investigation and follows that information to a conclusion; prepares case file detailing all aspects of an investigation; obtains and executes search warrants when directed, and presents to Detective Division for filing with Prosecuting Attorney.

Develops street contacts to obtain information about crime; maintains contact with paroled criminals and suspects at large; does undercover and decoy work; checks known and possible stolen property outlets such as pawnshops and junkyards.

Testifies in court and serves all proper court documents. Serves as Court Officer, if necessary.

Attends training sessions, as necessary.

May perform all specialized duties, depending upon individual officer's background and abilities and the needs of the Department.

Responds to such complaints as bomb threats and takes appropriate action, including searching for hazardous material.

Represents the Department in public as public speaker when assigned to do so.

Required knowledge and abilities include knowledge of federal and state laws and established principles, practices, policies and procedures of police work; modern police methods and procedures; laws of arrest, search and seizure; principles of crime and accident investigation; basic techniques for crime prevention and criminal investigations; identification and preservation of evidence; organization and planning; geography and street locations.

Skills include the use and care of a variety of firearms; investigative techniques and procedures.

Ability to maintain self-discipline and credibility through honest and ethical behavior; adapt to shift work; analyze situations quickly and objectively, recognizing actual and potential dangers, and to determine a proper course of action; write clear incident reports, organizing details logically; read, understand, and interpret laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations; learn applicable City Ordinances; cope with situations firmly, tactfully, and with respect for individual rights; speak well and express oneself clearly; communicate effectively with a diverse population, including those with social and behavioral problems; establish and maintain effective relations with fellow employees and with citizens from all racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds; perform strenuous physical tasks, such as pursuing fleeing suspects on foot and arresting suspects who resist; observe and remember details.

Qualifications include minimum of 21 years of age; high school diploma or GED; minimum of 90 quarter hours (60 semester) at an accredited college or university; U.S. Citizen; valid Washington State Driver's License; must be able to successfully pass the following: Oral Civil Service Examination, Physical Fitness Examination, Background Investigation, Polygraph Examination, Psychological Examination, Medical Examination; must have been employed as a full-time law enforcement officer with a civilian law enforcement agency within the last twenty-four (24) months. That employment must have lasted a minimum of one year. Applicants shall have successfully completed probation and possess current basic certification upon application from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), which can be obtained by successfully completing the WSCJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Out of State candidates who have been previously certified in another state, must pass the WSCJTC equivalency examination. If not currently employed must successfully complete the Public Safety Testing Physical Ability Test.

Interview Process: Only those applicants meeting all application procedures and minimum qualifications may be admitted to the interview process. Because this recruitment is continuous, interviews will be scheduled periodically. Candidates will be selected for panel interviews based upon the needs of the Police Department and other relevant factors as determined by the Chief Examiner. The interview process will be 100% of the final examination score. There will be a minimum passing score on the interview.

Application Process: To apply please visit Include with your application the following: a cover letter that addresses the following questions: Why are you interested in joining the Mount Vernon Police Department? Why do you want to serve the Mount Vernon community? Why is this career move right for you? A resume; unofficial transcripts from each accredited college, or university, you have attended including explanation of credit hour conversion; Supplemental Questions (your application will not be considered if not included): Describe your definition of "policing". Describe three challenges or issues you see the police profession facing now or in the future? During your police career, describe a project or program that you played an instrumental role that you're most proud of? Lateral Police Officer Supplemental Questionnaire

The City of Mount Vernon provides and enforces a drug free workplace and maintains a smoke free work environment. The City of Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.