Police Officer

Seattle Police Officer

The Seattle Police Department is looking to create a diverse team of hardworking, committed individuals with a passion for public service and who are deeply aligned with our City's values of Race and Social Justice. The City of Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender identity, political ideology, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

The Seattle Police Department is seeking individuals committed to understanding and protecting the ethical, cultural, and ethnic values of the City of Seattle and its residents as Police Officers. As first responders, Police Officers are vital to public safety and under regular supervision, perform basic police services in accordance with the mission, goals, and objectives of the City of Seattle Police Department and in compliance with governing federal, state, and local laws.

Entry Level Police Officer describes a candidate with no prior law enforcement experience or training, and those who have completed a self-sponsored academy and have not worked as a commissioned officer/deputy for a law enforcement agency.

Exceptional Entry Police Officer describes a candidate who has successfully completed a basic law enforcement academy and FTO, but who does not have the required 24 months of full-time service as a law enforcement officer in the last 36 months to qualify as a lateral applicant. Exceptional Entry Police Officer candidates must test with the entry-level candidates and are not eligible to take the Lateral entry exam.

Job Responsibilities

• Provides for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations. Explains laws and police procedures to residents.
• Operates a patrol car. Patrols city streets, areas and businesses to deter criminal activity and promote public safety.
• Investigates conditions hazardous to life or property; conducts initial investigations of crime and crime scenes; may assist detectives in criminal investigation work. Conducts search and seizure activities as appropriate. Collects and preserves crime scene and evidence.
• Arrests and/or detains suspected violators of the law. Reviews facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
• Records facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
• Renders aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
• Transports individuals in custody.
• Presents evidence and testimony in judicial settings.

The City of Seattle provides police service 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, is required.

Qualifications

ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS

• Be at least twenty and half (20.5) years of age.
• Hold United States citizenship, OR have legal permanent residency in the U.S., OR be a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.
• Attained a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency (GED).

Applicants must meet all eligibility standards by the date of participation in the exam process.

MINIMUM EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS: The following standards apply to all candidates for Police Officer.

Drug Use

Prior to the exam:

• Have not used Marijuana within twelve (12) months prior to taking civil service exam, and
• Have not used cocaine or crack within the previous five (5) years, and
• Have not used club drugs, such as, but not limited to: Ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, or MDMA (ecstasy) within the previous three (3) years, and
• Have not used any Hallucinogens, LSD, Mushrooms, or Psilocybin within the previous five (5) years, and
• Have not used PCP, Angel Dust, Wet or Phencyclidine within the previous five (5) years, and
• Have not used Opium, Morphine, or Heroin within the previous five (5) years, and
• Have not used Methamphetamine, Crank, Crystal, Ice, Speed, Glass, or Amphetamine within the previous five (5) years, and
• Have not inhaled aerosols, sometimes referred to as Huffing (paint) or Whippits (Nitrous Oxide) or used Khat within the previous three (3) years, and
• Have not used any illegal drug(s) while employed in a criminal justice and/or law enforcement capacity, and
• Have not manufactured or cultivated illegal drug(s) for the purpose of the sales/marketing of the drug(s).
• Have not sold or facilitated the sale of illegal drugs.

Please note that use of illegal drugs and the illegal use of prescription drugs, referred to in this standard, means the use of one or more drugs, the possession or distribution of which is unlawful under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

Offers of employment are conditioned upon a pre-employment drug screening to confirm abstinence from illegal drug use.

Traffic Record

A candidate's driving record will be thoroughly assessed and may be a factor for disqualification. Examples of infractions/traffic crimes that may be disqualifying:

• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Reckless Driving, or Hit & Run Driving.
• Suspension of your driver's license within five (5) years of the exam date
• Three (3) or more moving violations (speeding, negligent driving, etc.) within five (5) years of the exam date will be carefully reviewed.
• Two (2) or more accidents within five (5) years of the exam date, wherein candidate was judged to be at fault and/or charged with a moving violation.

Criminal History

A candidate's criminal history, including all arrests, prosecutions, deferred prosecutions, "Alford" pleas, and non-conviction information will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification. The following will be disqualifying:

• Any adult felony conviction.
• Any misdemeanor or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice and/or law enforcement capacity.
• Any domestic violence conviction.

Employment Record

A candidate's employment history, including any terminations, or leaving an employer in lieu of termination, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.

Financial Record

A candidate's credit history, including excessive credit card debt or unresolved accounts in collection will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification. The following will be disqualifying:

• Failure to pay income tax or child support.

Professional Appearance

All applicants are expected to maintain a professional appearance at all times. SPD has the sole discretion in determining what is considered professional, as it relates to the position of Police Officer. Any and all tattoos, branding (intentional burning of the skin to create a design), voluntary disfigurement (marring or spoiling of the appearance or shape of a body part), or scarification (intentional cutting of the skin to create a design) shall be carefully reviewed by SPD on a case-by-case basis.

Other Items

• A valid Washington State Driver's License is required prior to being hired.
• Ability to accurately type at least 35 wpm is highly desirable.
• Seattle residence is not required for application or appointment.

Job offers are contingent on review of credit, criminal and driving history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.