Lateral Police Officer

Gresham Police Officer

Gresham Police Officers provide emergency aid, security, and protection of life and property for the citizens of Gresham by patrolling business, rural, and residential areas. They respond to requests for information and assistance, investigate criminal activity, subdue combative suspects, make arrests, work with people to solve problems associated with crime and neighborhood problems, and ensure proper enforcement of laws and regulations.

The ideal candidate will have current knowledge and understanding of the following:

• Federal, State of Oregon, Multnomah County, and City of Gresham laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Criminal behavior and causes underlying criminality and social, psychological and physical needs of criminals.
• Standard police practices, methods, and procedures.
• Safety standards, procedures, and precautions utilized in police activities.
• Methods of investigation, apprehension, and rules of evidence.
• Basic first aid and CPR procedures.
• The safe and appropriate use of firearms and other police related equipment.

An ideal candidate will also have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. They will apply principles and techniques of community policing, modern crime prevention, investigation, apprehension, rules of evidence, and all other aspects of law enforcement. Be able to skillfully and safely use firearms and other police related equipment while maintaining composure under adverse conditions such as public harassment, critical injuries, and death. A competitive candidate will show how they can establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and citizens from a variety of racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated history of positive community engagement. They will also demonstrate how to effectively analyze situations quickly and objectively and are able to recognize actual and potentially dangerous situations, and to determine the proper course of action. Ability to present evidence in court effectively. Be able to display a skill in observation and remembering details such as names, faces, and incidents. Police officers need to maintain the physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, which also includes the physical ability to handle persons resisting arrest.

Qualifications

To be considered a lateral applicant you must meet all of the following minimum qualifications:

• Have completed a state certified police academy,
• Have completed a law enforcement field training program or passed a probationary period of not less than one (1) year with a law enforcement agency as a full-time sworn officer.
• Have been employed as a full-time sworn officer within the five (5) year period prior to appointment to this position.
• Have at least a High School Diploma or G.E.D
• Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the date of hire
• Have no felony criminal record
• Be a US Citizen within 18 months from the hire date
• Have a driving record that meets the department standards

Candidates must have the ability to:

• Pass a pre-suitability assessment screening
• Pass a comprehensive background investigation
• Pass a post job offer psychological evaluation, medical examination, and drug screen

Selection Process

All candidates must apply online. Faxed and emailed resumes, in lieu of an application, will not be accepted or considered. Incomplete applications will also not be considered. To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting.

Required application materials:

• A complete online application (do not leave fields blank or type'see resume')
• Answers to supplemental questions
• High school diploma/G.E.D or latest official education transcript
• Document(s) to verify completion of a law enforcement field training program and/or completion of a state certified police academy

Note to applicants that have previously applied with the City of Gresham Police Department: Candidates that have previously applied within the last 5 years must check past communications from the City of Gresham Human Resources regarding eligibility to re-apply.

What to expect as an Applicant:

• Phase I: Application
• All applications will be reviewed and screened for minimum requirements and automatic disqualifiers.
• Phase II: Interview & Eligible List
• Candidates will be invited to participate in an (in-person or virtual) interview. If you are not available for the dates offered upon receiving an invitation, please notify us via email to arrange for an interview at the next scheduled interview timeframe (if applicable).
• Candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility list based on their Interview timeframe and scores based on the panel interview score. Candidates will remain on the ranked eligibility list for one year from the job opening date. Candidates will be contacted based on their ranked position on the eligibility list and the Police Officer vacancies available for hire. Depending on the candidates' ranking, it may take several more weeks before an update can be provided.
• Phase III: Pre-Suitability Assessment
• Candidates who successfully complete Phase I and II, and next to be considered from the ranked eligible list will be invited to complete pre-suitability exam and personal history questionnaire (PHQ). This exam must be proctored virtually and generally takes 2 hours to complete and PHQ takes additional 1-3 hours to complete. Complete details, technology needs, and equipment requirements will be sent by email message(s).
• Once the pre-suitability exam is complete, candidates (with suitable results) will be invited to an executive interview.
• Phase IV: Executive Interview
• Candidates will meet with members of the Gresham Police Department Command staff. Successful candidates will then be placed on an eligibility list for backgrounds.
• Phase V: Statement of Personal History, Background Investigation & Conditional Employment Offer
• Once assigned to a background investigator, an email link will be sent to the candidate to complete an electronic Statement of Personal History. This link and the requested information are deadline driven and require submission within the specified timeframe. Candidates need to be thorough and honest in completing this information.
• Once the Statement of Personal History is complete, the candidate will be invited to meet in person or virtually with the background investigator for a Pre-Background interview. This interview generally takes between 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Upon successful completion of the Pre-Background screening, candidates will have a full and comprehensive background completed based on information provided in the Statement of Personal History and Pre-Background screening.
• Once the candidate passes a full background, they will receive a conditional offer of employment pending successful completion of a psychological evaluation and full medical/physical exam.
• Phase VI: Psychological Evaluation & Job-Related Physical Exam
• Candidates will be scheduled for a psychological exam which will include a proctored pre-interview virtual test followed by an interview with a clinical psychologist.
• Candidates will also be scheduled with a City of Gresham contracted medical provider to complete a physical exam, treadmill test, and drug screen.
• Phase VI: Confirmation of Employment letter
• If selected for hire, a candidate will be presented with a confirmation of employment letter to include hire date and swearing in.

We make every effort to minimize travel for our out of state candidates. If you are a successful candidate, it is likely there will be one trip necessary to include an interview with the Police Chief and complete a job-related physical, treadmill test and drug screen. Candidates will be notified through the e-mail address provided on their application as to their status in the process. Any updated contact information should be provided by email to View email address on click.appcast.io as soon as it is available. If a modification of this process is needed in order to accommodate a disability, please make your request in writing at the time of submitting an application to the View email address on click.appcast.io, or in person to a Human Resources representative at 1333 NW Eastman Parkway, Gresham, OR 97030.

Veteran's Preference: The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.