Police Officer Recruit/Entry-Level

Salary: $30.63 Hourly
Location : 710 E Mullan Ave. Coeur d'Alene, ID
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-00010
Department: Police
Opening Date: 01/22/2026


Job Summary

PLEASE NOTE: All interested applicants MUST successfully pass the written test administered by Public Safety Testing (PST) PRIOR to completing the City of Coeur d'Alene employment application.

We are collecting applications and PST scores and will hold oral board interviews this Fall for January 2027 POST Academy in Post Falls, ID.
Candidates who have taken and passed the Public Safety Testing, Inc. Police Officer written exam and have sent their scores to the City of Coeur d'Alene are invited to apply for the position of Entry-Level Police Officer. PST score must be less than six (6) months old .

A Police Officer performs law enforcement and crime prevention to further the criminal justice process by patrolling an assigned area to observe, monitor, and enforce a wide array of ordinances, laws, and statutes. Interacts with the general public on a regular basis to provide educational, investigative, and related police services with the goal of preventing crime, ensuring public safety, and developing positive police-citizen relationships. Officers may also be assigned to specialized law enforcement duties such as investigations, training, school resource officer, drug task force, code enforcement, firearm and range training, Traffic Unit, crowd control, SWAT Team or other assignment.
Current Entry-level Police Officer Recruit starting hourly wage while attending the POST Academy is $30.63 increasing to $32.15 after successfully completing the academy. Additional pay available for educational incentive, shift differential, holiday pay, etc.

Patrol Division personnel work 10-hour and 40-minute shifts in a 28-day work cycle, during which officers work five days and have four days off. Officers have five days off every third rotation. An excellent benefits package is available and membership in the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) and Social Security is required.

A Police Officer performs law enforcement and crime prevention to further the criminal justice process by patrolling an assigned area to observe, monitor, and enforce a wide array of ordinances, laws, and statutes. Interacts with the general public on a regular basis to provide educational, investigative, and related police services with the goal of preventing crime, ensuring public safety, and developing positive police-citizen relationships. Officers may also be assigned to specialized law enforcement duties such as investigations, training, school resource officer, drug task force, code enforcement, firearm and range training, Traffic Unit, crowd control, SWAT Team or other assignment. A Police Officer reports to a Police Sergeant or Lieutenant. Work is performed under minimal supervision and requires a high degree of independent discretion in decision making within established guidelines. Work is reviewed by inspection, oral and written reports, qualitative and quantitative evaluations for effectiveness, The position must enforce State and local laws, respond to calls for the protection of life and property, make arrests, prepare accurate reports, testify in court, and perform all work duties and activities in accordance with state and local policies, procedures, and safety practices. The Police Officer requires a High School Diploma or GED; Idaho POST Basic certification with preferred Intermediate certifications. Due to the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph is required. This position is required to carry firearms, perform emergency medical, and/or lifesaving activities. The work is accomplished in a field environment wherein the employee is subject to dangerous, potentially life-threatening events, and inclement weather. The job requires physical activities, long hours, and varied shifts.
Examples of Duties

(illustrative only and may vary by assignment)

• Patrols assigned areas of the City in a car, bicycle or on foot;
• Enforces State and local laws and ordinances;
• Maintains community presence and responds to calls for service and takes appropriate action;
• Responds to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents and other required emergencies;
• Determines existence of probable cause, identifies and takes suspects and offenders into physical custody;
• Prepares reports of arrests made, activities performed and unusual incidents observed;
• Conducts both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incident, vehicle accidents and deaths;
• Verbally interacts with witnesses and victims, suspects and offenders to obtain information;
• Conducts examinations of persons, vehicles, premises or areas to determine the presence of individuals or illegal activities or articles;
• Takes suspect or offender into custody and delivers them to appropriate confinement location, maintaining security and safety of individuals being moved from one location to another;
• Transfers or accepts custody of suspects or offenders and participates in completion of required jail intake procedures;
• Prepares cases for criminal prosecution;
• Researches information in order to contact suspects and witnesses;
• Investigates traffic accidents;
• Coordinates and conducts detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming and narcotics violations;
• Testifies and presents evidence in court;
• Provides backup assistance for other officers and personnel;
• Collects, preserves and maintains evidence, found property and other property for safekeeping;
• Initiates public service activities and responds to requests from person for information and assistance;
• Seeks to resolve disputes between family members and disputes between two or more persons;
• Controls small or large groups of people involved in potential or actual disturbance situations including civil disorders;
• Meets with citizen groups in programs directed toward understanding of law, crime prevention and the criminal justice system;
• Monitors and directs vehicles and pedestrian traffic and enforces traffic regulations; issues traffic citations where appropriate;
• Responds to riots, hostage situations, barricaded subjects and other extremely hazardous situations;
• Maintains contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserves good relationships with the public;
• Serves warrants and protection orders;
• Checks buildings for physical security;
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Keeps abreast of trends and developments affecting law enforcement;
• Interacts appropriately with a culturally and socially diverse population;
• Utilizes proactive techniques to prevent crime;
• Appropriately utilizes technology to proactively police city and to effectively communicate with public; and
• Works with community groups as well as citizens on law enforcement activities, citizen concerns, etc.; offers ideas and solutions;
• May serve as acting unit commander;
• Performs undercover surveillance activities;
• Develops and maintains good relationships with informants and contacts which may be helpful in criminal investigations;
• Prepares search and arrest warrants;
• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses;
• Assists in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties;
• Collects, analyzes and disseminates criminal street gang information;
• Conduct specialized crime prevention programs;
• Seizes assets through preparations and service of asset seizure documentation;
• Provides training for department personnel in such areas a defensive driving, use of chemical agents and other specified functions;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations to protect and serve the community;
• Makes presentations to governmental agencies, the media, community groups and a variety of civic organizations;
• Provides extensive customer service, education, and information to the public;
• Responds to management's, supervisor's, co-workers' and citizens' questions and comments in a courteous, thorough and timely manner;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Performs time management and scheduling functions, meets deadlines, and sets project priorities;
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all matters;
• Assists other department and City employees as needed or requested;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• May serve as a member of a SWAT Team;
• May serve as a Field Training Officer, supervising and training new personnel;
• May serve as a K9 Officer;
• May serve as a dedicated firearms instructor;
• May serve as a Flight Control Officer;
• May serve in other specialized areas such as School Resource Officer, Drug Task Force, Traffic Unit, Crowd Control Team, Clandestine Lab Team, or other assignment;
• Works as a School Resource Officer to establish friendly contact between the Police Department and youths, investigate crimes on campus, counsel troubled youth, crime prevention, and assist the school staff and administration in the education of pre-teen and young teenage members of the community;
• May assign work, collect statistics, compile daily assignment sheets and direct other officers in special assignments;
• May work as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructor to prevent or reduce drug abuse and violence among children and youth;
• May serve as a member of the US Marshal's task force (NIVCTF);
• May coordinate Department training programs;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED;
• Idaho POST Basic certification with preferred Intermediate certifications;
• Valid driver's license; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.
• Due to the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph is required.

Supplemental Information
The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for an individual to satisfactorily perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be successful in the position.

Knowledge of:

• Modern procedures, practices and methods of the criminal justice process;
• Procedures related to evidence, searches, seizures, arrests, and police-citizen encounters;
• Enforcement techniques and procedures;
• Investigative processes and interrogation techniques;
• Crime scene processing and surveillance techniques;
• Crime prevention and education methods;
• Social service agencies and community resources and their use and applicability to investigative processes;
• Principles and practices of effective supervisory techniques
• Pertinent federal, state and city laws, statutes and ordinances;
• Techniques of crime prevention, principles and practices of criminal identification, behavior of criminals and causes underlying criminality;
• Current procedures and practices involved in law enforcement training;
• Police equipment, including vehicles, speed radar units, communications units, body armor, handcuffs, intoxilizer, firearms, batons, medical kits, road flares, hand control remote traffic signals, chemical agents, riot gear and other related equipment;
• Defensive driving techniques;
• Department rules, regulations and procedures

Skill and Ability to:

• Maintain a calm, professional demeanor and effectively communicate with officers and the public in potentially controversial situations;
• Understand and apply departmental, state and local law enforcement procedures, policies, rules and regulations;
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively, to recognize actual and potential dangers and to determine proper course of action;
• Cope with stressful situations calmly, fairly, tactfully and with respect for individual rights;
• Cope appropriately with physically and mentally taxing situations, including but not limited the death, dismemberment and/or grave injury of citizens or Officers;
• Maintain effective relations with fellow employees and with citizens with varied racial, ethnic or economic backgrounds;
• Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places;
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of firearms;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;
• Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports;
• Learn standard broadcasting procedures of police radio system;
• Demonstrative proficiency in the exercise of defensive tactics;
• Handle an automobile in high speed and emergency situations;
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions;
• Uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times;
• Respond to citizen requests in a courteous and effective manner;
• Learn and use investigative techniques
• Make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established procedures;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks;
• Learn new aspects of police work depending on specialty assignment areas.
• Identify and research various issues arising from investigations;
• Investigate, review, provide testimony about, and otherwise handle graphic, disturbing, or otherwise sensitive information or evidence;
• Effectively and tactfully work with victims, witnesses, and various other parties regarding allegations of crimes;
• Act promptly and effectively in emergency situations;
• Utilize a computerized dispatch and record system;
• Effectively supervise and coordinate a law enforcement unit;
• Display an attitude of cooperation and work harmoniously with all level of City employees, the general public and other organizations;
• Demonstrate a high level of organizational and interpersonal communication skills;
• Multi-task and independently handle a wide variety of issues;
• Communicate effectively in writing and speech;
• Address complex issues and handle potentially difficult situations;
• Use good judgment in problem solving and decision making;
• Communicate facts in an understandable manner and present recommendations in a clear, concise, logical manner;
• Proficiently operate computers, software programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or similar office software to create documents and other materials, maintain information, and generate reports;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Perform all duties in accordance with City policies and procedures with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:


The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.


This position is required to supervise employees during the performance of critical incident functions which require employees to qualify to carry firearms, perform emergency medical, lifesaving and/or fire suppression activities.

Sufficient personal strength, mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to safely effectuate, within reason, the arrest or custodial detention of individuals deemed necessary and reasonable. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to appropriately restrain, handcuff, carry and/or otherwise employ authorized, reasonable force (up to and including deadly force) in the accomplishment of their duties.

Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to safely rescue and/or evacuate a citizen or fellow officer. This would include but not be limited to the ability to carry 75 pounds or drag 180 pounds a distance of 32 feet.

Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to sit, stand, drive, etc. for extended periods of time while wearing an appropriate duty uniform and equipment, which includes but is not limited to, handgun, 3 or more magazines, handcuffs, asp or baton, O.C. spray, body armor, ECD, etc.

Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to repeatedly enter and exit a patrol vehicle throughout a shift (10 hours and 40 minutes) while wearing an appropriate duty uniform and equipment, which includes but is not limited to, a handgun, 3 or more magazines, handcuffs, asp or baton, O.C. spray, body armor, ECD, etc.

Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively, interrogate and interview people and carry on appropriate telephone and radio communication.

Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform surveillance, observe items that may require investigation, sight and shoot a firearm, gather evidence at crime scenes, and coordinate and conduct detailed investigations.

Sufficient strength and manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to use a firearm safely and effectively, direct traffic, write reports, utilize varied equipment simultaneously and operate a vehicle.

Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to direct traffic, bend or stoop repeatedly, maneuver through rough, uneven slippery or rocky surfaces and perform search activities for extended periods of time.
The City of Coeur d'Alene offers a very generous benefit package. Below is a brief overall summary of our general benefits. Depending on the position you are applying for, the position may fall under a specific bargaining group and as a result, may have benefits in addition to what is listed below.
Retirement & Investment Plans:

• PERSI retirement benefits,
• 401k & 457 investment plans

Medical

• Regence Blue Shield of Idaho
• Employee covered 100%, low cost dependent coverage
• Employees choosing to waive medical coverage due to other group coverage available, may receive a monthly contribution into their HRA VEBA plan.

Dental:

• Blue Cross of Idaho
• Willamette Dental
• Northwest Dental Benefits
• 100% employer paid for employee and dependents

Life Insurance and Long Term Disability

• Basic life insurance, line of duty death and Long Term Disability, 100% employer paid
• Supplement life insurance available

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)- Pre and post-retirement health reimbursement arrangement. The city makes tax-free contributions into the eligible employee's account on a monthly basis.


Paid Leave:

• 11 paid holidays
• 8, 10 or 18 hours vacation per month (depending on CBA), increasing with years of service
• 10 hours sick (24 for fire) per month

Other Option Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)- Comprehensive program that provides counseling for work, family, personal and financial issues. This benefit also has telehealth options.
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
• AFLAC-Colonial Life
• Supplement Life Insurance: for employee and spouse
• Wellness Benefit

01


Before applying directly with the City of Coeur d'Alene, you must have taken and passed the Public Safety Testing, Inc. Police Officer examination and have added the City of Coeur d'Alene as one of your agencies. The City of Coeur d'Alene will not accept PST scores older than six (6) months.If you answer "no" to this question, your application will not be accepted.
02


What was your PST (Public Safety Test) score?
03


Below are automatic disqualifies per Idaho Code. Do not apply if you have any of the below.Please note that the Coeur d'Alene Police Department may have higher standards than these minimum state disqualifies and will make a determination on a case by case basis.Do not apply if you:Have any felony conviction;Have any misdemeanor conviction within 5 years of your application date;Have ever been decertified as a peace officer in any state or jurisdiction;Have been given any of the following Military Discharges: Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD), Dishonorable Discharge (DD), or Administrative Discharge other than Honorable (OTH);Have ever been fired from a job, with just cause, for any of the following reasons:Theft of company property;Misuse of company or department finances;Falsification of time reporting or other official documents;Sick leave abuse (use of sick time in violation of applicable laws, rules and procedures);Drug or alcohol use that negatively affected job performance; orCommitting any form of illegal harassment.Have used marijuana within the past one (1) year or while employed as a law enforcement officerHave used any other controlled substances within the past five (5) years or while employed as a law enforcement officerHave any felony convictions over the age of 18Have received any DUIs in the last two (2) yearsHave received two (2) DUIs in the last five (5) years orHave received more than five (5) traffic violations in the last three (3) years
04


Are you at least age 21 as of the date of this application? If not, please wait until you reach that minimum age we require to apply.
05


If you are claiming veteran's preference points (5 or 10 points), please include a DD214 and/or any supporting documentation for service related disability/purple heart or eligible qualified spouse? If claiming, did you attach the required documentation. Please put N/A if not applicable to you.
Required Question