Entry Level Police Officer

Entry Level Police Officer

This is an information post outlining the hiring process for an Entry Level Police Officer with the Tigard Police Department.

Tigard Police Officers perform a wide range of law enforcement and crime prevention work, including patrol and investigation. Sworn officers enforce state and local laws, regulations and ordinances and perform a variety of duties including, but not limited to, the following:

• Responds to a variety of radio calls including theft, domestic disturbances, welfare checks and CPR calls. Investigates crashes, deaths, and criminal complaints. Makes arrests and issues citations when required.
• Patrols roads, highways, businesses and residential areas of the City. Enforces applicable criminal and traffic laws. Prepares case records and reports. Participates in the prosecution of cases in court.
• Serves criminal warrants, applicable court orders, and subpoenas.
• Accomplishes the Police Department Mission to "To protect and serve all who live, play and work in Tigard."

The Tigard Police Department provides a variety of career possibilities for Police Officers in specialty assignment positions including K9 handler, Drone Operator, Police Motorcycle, Detective, School Resource Officer, Crisis Negotiations, TNT (Tactical Negotiations Team), Commercial Crimes Unit, Drug Investigations and more.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of high school or GED
• One (1) year of experience working with the public
• Some college-level coursework and/or volunteer law enforcement experience desirable

Requirements:

• Must be a US citizen
• Must be 21 years or older at time of hire
• Possess a valid Oregon/Washington driver's license
• Must be legally authorized and physically able to carry a firearm
• Ability to work all shifts, including swing, nights, weekends, holidays on a rotating basis
• Must be able to read and write the English language
• Bi-lingual skills (English/Spanish) preferred

Applicants must have the ability to learn and apply laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances and procedures; ability to give credible testimony in a court of law; ability to operate a motor vehicle and assigned equipment skillfully, safely and in conformance with applicable laws and department policies; ability to prepare accurate, concise, informative and grammatically correct reports; ability to understand and act upon complex oral and written instructions; ability to deal courteously and firmly with the public, other agencies and all levels of City staff.

Supplemental Information:

The City of Tigard partners with the National Test Network (NTN) to administer a portion of the entry level police officer testing (this requirement is waived for applicants who hold a four-year bachelor's degree; please email us to waive this requirement).

In-person and remote testing options are available. A list of frequently asked questions and answers are available here. Please be aware there is a fee associated with taking this test. Proctored tests at alternative sites (NTN Testing Centers) are available upon request. For additional information, interested candidates are encouraged to call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Sign Up for Testing on the National Testing Network website:

• Go to National Testing Network Law Enforcement Positions
• Scroll to Tigard Police Department and check the box to select our agency, hit continue.
• Confirm you meet the requirements, hit continue.
• Select your testing location (in-person or virtual), hit continue and follow the additional instructions. Please note: if you don't have an account with NTN you will need to create one.

Application Process:

• Take the NTN test (must pass with at least 70%) or submit a degree waiver via email
• Candidates will receive an email to schedule an in-person panel interview called an Oral Board
• Take a Pre-Offer Suitability Evaluation (test proctored at Tigard Police Department)
• Pass an Oregon Physical Agility Test (ORPAT) (see details below)
• Background Investigation (detailed and time-intensive process that can take weeks to months to complete)
• Interview with the Chief of Police

Upon a conditional job offer, you will be required to undergo:

• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Examination
• Drug Test

Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT): The Tigard Police Department will request proof of passing the ORPAT within the last 12 months prior to entering the background process. We use the ORPAT as a screening tool to help select the most qualified applicants to continue in our application process for police officer positions.

Applicants may provide ORPAT scores from other agencies or testing companies, however, we require all the standards set by the DPSST (obstacle course, push pull complex, dummy drag). Please watch the ORPAT video from DPSST for more information.

If you have not yet completed the ORPAT, several local testing options are available. The Tigard Police Department hosts ORPAT testing days on occasion.

Union Representation: TPOA (Tigard Police Officers' Association)

In addition to being a great place to work, the City of Tigard offers competitive employee benefits for full-time and part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week:

• Choice of health and dental plans
• Oregon PERS including city-paid employee contribution
• City-paid HRA-VEBA
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid floating holidays (96 hours per year)
• Life and disability insurance

This job classification is represented by the Tigard Police Officers' Association. Click here for more detailed benefits information. Reserve Police Officers are not eligible for benefits.