Police Officer (Academy Graduate - Entry)

Salary : $7,245.33 - $9,815.87 Monthly
Location : Yakima, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Department: Police
Division: Police
Opening Date: 04/13/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: YPPA


Initial candidate eligibility is based on the job application and any accompanying documentation. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide sufficient information and details within the body of the application (education and work experience sections) to permit the City of Yakima to properly evaluate the candidate's qualification, abilities and experience as it relates to the requirements of the position. For calculation of experience, one year of experience equals 12 months with a minimum of 173.33 hours per month. Additional required documents must be attached. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of application fields.

Overview and Minimum Class Requirements
The Yakima Police Department is highly focused on the reduction of violent crime through exceptional customer service. If you're a role model, a guardian, and a mentor who seeks challenge, excitement, and daily opportunities to make a positive difference in your community, you've come to the right place!
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Applicants for Academy Graduate Entry into the Police Department must meet one of the following requirements:

1. Graduate of the WSCJTC Basic Academy holding a current and valid certification through the WSCJTC;
2. Graduate of a WSCJTC recognized equivalent training program as defined by WAC139-05-210 who meet the conditions established by WSCJTC at the time of hire;
3. Graduate of the Washington State Patrol Training Academy;
4. Graduate of any US State Certified Basic Law Enforcement Academy .

IF YOU DO NOT MEET ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, PLEASE GO TO PUBLIC SAFETY TESTING TO APPLY FOR AN ENTRY LEVEL EXAM.

Experience as an officer is not required. If not currently working in law enforcement, applicant must have been separated from previous agency for less than two (2) years.
Applicants for this position must 21 years of age or older, a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident, must be able to read and write the English language, must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, must be in good health and of good moral character. Applicants must pass a pre-selection interview, situational based assessment, pre-suitability testing, polygraph examination, psychological examination, medical examination, drug screening, and a comprehensive background investigation regarding applicant's aptitude, character, judgment, credit, driving record, criminal history and verification of immigrant or citizenship status as either a citizen of the United States of America or a lawful permanent resident. Applicant must possess normal color vision, and visual acuity of not less than 20/100 in each eye, corrected to 20/20 in the better eye and 20/30 in the lesser eye.

Verification of Peace Officer certification must be attached to application.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES: Must obtain/possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License. Applicants who have not graduated from Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy (WSCJTC) must obtain certificate of completion within 15 months of hire date. Applicants eligible for WSCJTC equivalency training must receive certification of completion within 6 months of hire.
Job Summary


Under the general supervision of a commanding officer, Police Officers are sworn, general authority law enforcement officers who perform a wide variety of public safety and community care-taking duties including preserving the peace, protecting life and property, enforcing laws and ordinances, deterring and preventing crime, investigating criminal activity and providing public safety education.

Essential Functions


Enforces laws and ordinances and complies with guidelines established by applicable laws, regulations, directives and superiors.


Maintains current knowledge of circumstances, trends, practices, laws and legal decisions affecting the law enforcement profession and his or her area of responsibility; familiarizes self with current information relating to department operations and administration.


Patrols assigned areas in a police vehicle, by bicycle or on foot; responds to requests for police service; identifies conditions which present a hazard to public safety; observes and investigates suspicious persons, circumstances and activities; deters, detects and investigates crimes; identifies and apprehends criminals and traffic offenders; facilitates the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic; investigates traffic collisions; provides other assistance to the public consistent with the goals and objectives of the department.


Protects crime and accident scenes; identifies, documents, collects and safeguards evidence and stolen property; aids the injured; locates and interviews witnesses; interrogates, arrests and confines offenders; recommends measures to prevent victimization.


Investigates assigned cases; locates and interviews victims, suspects and witnesses; collects and submits evidence for analysis; prepares detailed investigative reports and submits cases for prosecution.


Prepares comprehensive, factual investigative reports for use by other officers, agencies and court officers; provides factual, unbiased testimony in court; maintains accurate notes and logs of activities; maintains confidentiality of information learned in the course of his or her duties.


Operates a variety of equipment including two-way radios, cameras, computers, printers, breathalyzer and emergency vehicle equipment; carries and maintains proficiency with firearms.


Establishes and maintains effective communications and working relationships with superiors, co-workers, other law enforcement officials and the public; cooperates with representatives of related public, private, federal, state and local service agencies; cooperates with representatives of the news media to the extent allowed by applicable laws and department directives.


Maintains personal discipline and complies with all applicable laws, policies, regulations, procedures and sound police practice; promotes discipline among co-workers.


Adheres to and actively promotes the goals, values and objectives of the department with citizens and co-workers; promotes a positive, constructive work atmosphere; maintains harmonious working relations with superiors and co-workers; supports organizational change.


Understands and actively employs the core values of Community Policing: maximum citizen involvement, total service orientation, and a pro-active, problem-solving approach to police service; supports and encourages department programs and volunteer groups.


Attends training; participates in specialized units and assignments; provides training to other department employees, volunteers and citizens.


Demonstrates and fosters an attitude that encourages cooperation and coordination of efforts and efficient use of resources. Provides continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.


Requires regular and reliable attendance.


Performs other related duties as assigned.

Major Worker Characteristics
Enforces laws and ordinances and complies with guidelines established by applicable laws, regulations, directives and superiors.


Maintains current knowledge of circumstances, trends, practices, laws and legal decisions affecting the law enforcement profession and his or her area of responsibility; familiarizes self with current information relating to department operations and administration.


Patrols assigned areas in a police vehicle, by bicycle or on foot; responds to requests for police service; identifies conditions which present a hazard to public safety; observes and investigates suspicious persons, circumstances and activities; deters, detects and investigates crimes; identifies and apprehends criminals and traffic offenders; facilitates the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic; investigates traffic collisions; provides other assistance to the public consistent with the goals and objectives of the department.


Protects crime and accident scenes; identifies, documents, collects and safeguards evidence and stolen property; aids the injured; locates and interviews witnesses; interrogates, arrests and confines offenders; recommends measures to prevent victimization.


Investigates assigned cases; locates and interviews victims, suspects and witnesses; collects and submits evidence for analysis; prepares detailed investigative reports and submits cases for prosecution.


Prepares comprehensive, factual investigative reports for use by other officers, agencies and court officers; provides factual, unbiased testimony in court; maintains accurate notes and logs of activities; maintains confidentiality of information learned in the course of his or her duties.


Operates a variety of equipment including two-way radios, cameras, computers, printers, breathalyzer and emergency vehicle equipment; carries and maintains proficiency with firearms.


Establishes and maintains effective communications and working relationships with superiors, co-workers, other law enforcement officials and the public; cooperates with representatives of related public, private, federal, state and local service agencies; cooperates with representatives of the news media to the extent allowed by applicable laws and department directives.


Maintains personal discipline and complies with all applicable laws, policies, regulations, procedures and sound police practice; promotes discipline among co-workers.


Adheres to and actively promotes the goals, values and objectives of the department with citizens and co-workers; promotes a positive, constructive work atmosphere; maintains harmonious working relations with superiors and co-workers; supports organizational change.


Understands and actively employs the core values of Community Policing: maximum citizen involvement, total service orientation, and a pro-active, problem-solving approach to police service; supports and encourages department programs and volunteer groups.


Attends training; participates in specialized units and assignments; provides training to other department employees, volunteers and citizens.


Demonstrates and fosters an attitude that encourages cooperation and coordination of efforts and efficient use of resources. Provides continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.


Requires regular and reliable attendance.


Performs other related duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments, at times in adverse weather conditions. Extended periods of time spent within, and frequent operation of, motor vehicle and/or motorcycle. Occasionally needs to move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, and department records. Constant use of senses for seeing, close vision, color perception, hearing/listening, speech, touching, dexterity, and smelling. Continuous use of both hands reaching/handling/grasping/keyboarding and other fine motor skill manipulation while performing duties and operating computers. Frequent lifting/carrying objects up to 25 pounds; grasping/pushing/pulling various objects or persons. Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, and other inclines while maintaining balance and stability. Occasional stooping, bending, twisting at knees, waist or neck, squatting, kneeling, climbing, crawling and/or reaching. Occasional exposure to chemicals, weapons, drugs, needles and other drug paraphernalia, blood, saliva and/or body fluids at accidents or crime scenes. Occasional lifting/carrying objects up to 50 pounds. Occasional running to apprehend a suspect. Must be able to distinguish color and maintain long-term and short-term memory to learn and remember simple to complex procedures. May work in remote locations or in noisy work areas. Must wear appropriate safety equipment as necessary.


UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Working conditions include: rotating shift assignments, night hours, exposure to inclement weather, call-back on short notice, and working on weekends and holidays; stress associated with the necessity to make decisions affecting personal safety and the safety of the public with little or no time for reflection or consultation; overtime work caused by incidents in progress or the necessity to meet critical deadlines; life threatening situations requiring the use of deadly force; exposure to all of the hazards and conditions associated with the duties and responsibilities of a general authority law enforcement officer.
The City of Yakima is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
The City of Yakima Police Department is a premier employer in the Yakima Valley with extensive opportunities for training and growth. The City offers a competitive benefit package including:

• Take home patrol car
• Longevity pay starting at 1.5% after 4 years
• Education incentive: AA 2.0%; BA 4.0%
• Up to 5% bilingual/biliterate English/Spanish special pay
• Differential pay including SWAT, FTO, Motorcycle, K9, etc.
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage
• FREE healthcare clinic!
• WA State LEOFF II pension membership
• 6% City contribution to 457 deferred compensation plan + 1% match
• Leave accruals:
  1. Vacation - Starting at 7.42 hours/month
  2. Sick - 10 hours/month
  3. Observed holidays - 96 hour bank annually on January 1st
• $150,000 Life Insurance
• Much more!

01


Are you a graduate of:- WSCJTC Basic Academy holding a current and valid certification through the WSCJTC OR -A graduate of a WSCJTC recognized equivalent training program as defined by WAC 139-05-210 who meet the conditions established by WSCJTC at the time of hire OR- A graduate of the Washington State Patrol Training Academy OR - A graduate of any US State Certified Basic Law Enforcement Academy?

• Yes
• No

02


Have you attached verification of Peace Officer certification?

• Yes
• No

03


I understand if I do not meet either of the requirements above, I should not submit this application, but should apply at

• Yes
• No

04


I understand submission of this electronic application is only the first step in the screening/testing process. I will be receiving and will need to submit additional documentation including, but not limited to; a conviction questionnaire, background documents, waivers, and a personal history statement to be considered for the position.

• Yes
• No

Required Question