Police Officer

Bellingham Police Department - Police Officer

Last updated on May 01, 2026. PST Partner Agency since April 05, 2016.

Applicants that pass the written exam and physical ability test with Public Safety Testing and scores are made available to our agency between 5/1/26 and 6/30/26 will receive an invitation to apply.

Applicants that have successfully passed the exam through PST and scores released to our agency between 5/1/26 and 6/30/26 will have six (6) business days to complete the City of Bellingham application and Personal History Statement with Public Safety Testing. If you receive an invitation to apply, you must submit your application no later than 4:30 P.M., on 7/13/26.

• Patrol officers work a 1040 work schedule of five 10.7 hour days on, four days off, five days on, four days off, five days on, five days off, repeating monthly.
• Training opportunities: The 1040 work schedule allows for one full training day a month.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service register that will be used to fill anticipated vacancies. This position is represented by a union.

The City of Bellingham is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer Recruit. Applicants must complete testing through Public Safety Testing.

Applicants must complete the written exam and pass the physical ability test through Public Safety Testing prior to being invited to apply.

NOTE: Employees will remain in the Recruit classification in probationary status prior to and while attending the Police Academy. With successful completion of the Police Academy, the employee shall move to the Full Performance Police Officer classification in a non-competitive promotion effective the first day of the pay period immediately following such academy completion. A standard 12-month Civil Service probationary period applies for all officers following placement into the Full Performance Police Officer classification.

The City of Bellingham is a classified Civil Service System using ranked eligibility lists developed from test scores to select final candidates for hire.

Qualified candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility list based on the written exam score. The top scoring 15 candidates or the top 25%, whichever is greater, will be referred to the Department for additional examinations, assessments, or tests.

Please refer to the City of Bellingham employment website for more information: and fill out a job interest alert to receive email notification with the most recent information on public safety career opportunities.

Bellingham Police Department - Police Officer Requirements

• Written Examination – required.
• LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT) – required. Physical ability test must be completed within 180 days (~6 months) before or after passing the written exam. Applicants must complete the PAT within three months of the written test date if not completed before the deadline.
• PST Personal History Statement – required within 7 days of passing required exam(s).
• Minimum Age – 21 years.
• Citizenship – US citizen, deferred action for childhood arrivals, or a registered permanent resident able to work in the United States.
• Washington State residency – required by time of hire.
• High School Graduate/GED – required.
• Driver's License – valid Washington State driver's license by time of hire and good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire, with periodic submission thereafter as per City policy.
• Felony convictions – no record of felony convictions as an adult.
• Felony convictions as a juvenile – felony convictions and misdemeanors will be reviewed. A misdemeanor conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant, but recent offenses may reveal lack of specific qualifications.
• English – ability to read, speak, and write.
• Vision – uncorrected vision 20/100 or better in either eye; corrected to 20/20 in better eye and 20/30 in lesser eye. Minimum visual acuity and peripheral vision for computer monitoring and typing.
• College requirement – associate's degree or two years of general education coursework toward a degree at an accredited college or university.
• OR: High School diploma or equivalent AND four years of active military service with honorable discharge (four years of service may substitute for two years of general education coursework).
• Bilingual proficiency – highly desirable.
• Tattoos – no offensive tattoo or body art on face, neck, hands, fingers, tongue, scalp, or ears while on duty or representing the department.
• Red Cross certification – possession of or ability to obtain Infant/Child and Adult CPR and Standard First Aid within two years of hire.
• Multiple scores from same applicant – only the most recent score is considered.
• Scores are pulled on a weekly basis.

Contact Information

Bellingham Police Department – Police Officer
505 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
Whatcom County
View phone number on click.appcast.io