Lateral Police Officer

Police Officer

The City of Tukwila is seeking candidates for the position of Police Officer. This is a full-time role with a salary range of $101,064.00 - $123,192.00 annually. The position is located at the Tukwila Police Department, 15005 Tukwila International Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188.

About Our Community:

The City of Tukwila is a unique and exciting city to live, work and visit even though it is just under 10 square miles. With a population of only 22,000 residents, the city sees upwards of 150,000 visitors and workers daily. The residential population is also host to individuals from all over the world with over 80 languages spoken by students of the Tukwila School District making it a truly unique community.

Tukwila is also home to the largest mall in the Pacific Northwest, headquarters for major national and international corporations, The Museum of Flight, and a thriving hub of popular retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses.

About the Tukwila Police Department:

The Tukwila Police Department is a municipal police department with 77 commissioned officers and 24 non-commissioned support staff. We are fortunate to work in a supportive environment with supportive community members, supportive elected officials, and supportive police department command staff. Our officers come from all walks of life and experiences including lateral officers from all over the country. We genuinely support and care about our officers, their mental health and general wellbeing. As such, we provide our officers with a set schedule with the same weekdays off and every other Saturday off, 490 hours of leave per year, the ability to work out on-duty and a supportive environment to help them grow throughout their careers. Their families are also valued and supported as part of our greater law enforcement family.

When it comes to technology, we are one of the leading departments in the nation. Besides a brand-new police station that opened in 2020 complete with a massive gym, quiet rooms, patio with BBQ grills and a full-size kitchen, our officers enjoy having a take-home patrol vehicle. The officer and vehicles are equipped with barcode scanners, Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) equipped dash cameras, body worn cameras (BWC), headrest printers, mobile fingerprint scanners and much more to make their jobs easier and more efficient. Our officers are all issued iPhones and tablets to complete their day-to-day tasks.

MISSION STATEMENT: As an involved part of the Tukwila community, our mission is to provide public safety services that are professional, compassionate and transparent. As individuals and teams, we are committed to earning the public's trust with skills, professionalism and collaboration.

CORE VALUES:

• SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
• BUILDING POSITIVE, STRONG TEAMS.
• BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
• GROWING IN COMPETENCY AND EMPATHY.

WHY CHOOSE THE CITY OF TUKWILA?

• Competitive salary with scheduled step increases on an annual basis
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employer contributions to the State Retirement System pension plan
• Deferred Compensation plan options.
• Paid holidays as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement
• VEBA (tax-free health savings account)
• Employee Wellness Program in addition to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• TAKE HOME CAR PROGRAM

Officers have opportunities to receive the following additional compensation and pay incentives:

• Education (2% police-related Associate's degree; 4% Bachelor's or higher degree)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Longevity Pay starting after 5 years of service
• Overtime opportunities
• Specialty Assignment pay ranging from 5% to 7%
• Night shift differential – 2%
• Option to have Kelly Days and Holiday Bank paid out.

Selection and Civil Service Testing Guidelines: Civil Service Testing for certified and lateral entry consists of complete online application (including transcripts), a telephone interview, written exam, background investigation, polygraph examination, written/oral psychological exams, and a medical exam. The testing is scheduled at your convenience. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to View email address on click.appcast.io

How To Apply: Fill out the application online completely. Please include a resume and memo to the Chief of Police on why you want to work for the Tukwila Police Department. Please note that we do not accept incomplete applications, attached resumes are not accepted as an online application. Veteran's Preference Points:

The City of Tukwila follows the guidance given by the State of Washington regarding applying veteran's points. Please attach a copy of your DD214 or NGB Form 22 to your online application if you are eligible to claim these points. The City of Tukwila is an equal opportunity employer and strives to employ a diverse workforce reflective of the community it serves. Qualified applicants with multicultural experience and/or backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are currently a law enforcement officer but do not meet the time in-service requirements of a Certified Entry Level Police Officer, you may qualify to test as an Exceptional Entry candidate. Exceptional Entry candidates should apply as an Entry Level Police Officer.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs investigative tasks, evaluates cases for leads and investigation direction; collects and preserves evidence; interrogates suspects and questions witnesses.
• Enforces traffic and parking regulations; directs traffic; makes detailed investigations and reports of traffic accidents.
• Determines when lawful search, seizure and arrest should be attempted; such actions may include a foot chase and/or vehicle pursuit, when necessary.
• Performs a variety of judicial assistance activities; including testifying in court and related activities required to enforce municipal and other laws and ordinances.
• Assists in departmental administrative and supervisory activities as assigned, including performing public relation assignments.
• Operates firearms in compliance with department rules.
• Cleans and maintains assigned firearms and vehicles.
• Patrols designated area of city in police vehicle on assigned shift; foot patrol of districts assigned.
• Completes special details as assigned by the Sergeant and prepares reports and documents to maintain a record of activities.
• Writes reports, maintains daily logs and other related reports.
• Serves warrants; makes arrests and transports prisoners to jail.
• Responds to and investigates citizens' complaints and provides service to citizens.
• Represents department by speaking at public meetings on special topics of interest or on law enforcement in general.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry)

• Methods, principles and practices of law enforcement and crime prevention;
• The laws governing arrest, custody of prisoners, search and seizure, and rules of evidence.

SKILLS (position requirements at entry)

• Ability to exercise independent judgment in emergency situations in accordance with departmental rules and regulations
• Ability to safely operate police vehicles
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with court officials, business persons, public organization representatives, attorneys, other law enforcement personnel and the general public; and
• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below

Education, Experience and Other Requirements

TRAINING, EXPERIENCE AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (Position requirements at entry):

1. High school diploma or equivalent and completion of a recognized police training academy or equivalent courses necessary to allow certification with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC); AND
2. Must have been employed as a commissioned law enforcement officer on a full-time basis with a municipal, county, State, or WSCJTC approved federal agency for a period of time exceeding 24 of the last 36 months (post academy experience) at time of application. AND
3. Lateral Entry applicants must have successfully completed a field training program (FTO or PTO) and be non-probationary officers.

To learn more about Basic Equivalency Academy - WAC 13