Police Officer Lateral

Salary : $76,884.00 - $93,552.00 Annually
Location : Oregon City, OR
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-01 PD Officer Lateral
Department: Police
Opening Date: 07/01/2025


Description
The City of Oregon City is recruiting for a Lateral Police Officer.
A Lateral Police Officer is defined based on total years of previous service as a full-time sworn Police Officer, who is currently Oregon DPSST certified at another (or other) Law Enforcement Agency (or Agencies) inclusive of any time previously served at the Oregon City Police Department or based on having at least two consecutive years of experience and certification in an equivalent out of state agency as determined by the City. A Lateral Police Officer also includes a candidate who recently retired or separated in good standing from another Oregon Law Enforcement Agency from the date of the application and who can reinstate their DPSST basic certification without attending the basic training academy consistent with DPSST rules and regulations. The City evaluates lateral candidates based on years of service, state certification, background investigation, and experience.

Lateral Officers will receive additional pay for DPSST Certification: 5% for Intermediate and 10% for Advanced DPSST Certification. Qualified candidates may be eligible to receive up to 80 hours of banked vacation time and 80 hours of banked sick time. New hires will accrue vacation time at a rate commensurate with their time as a sworn police officer.

The recruitment will remain open until filled; however, may close at any time.

This is full performance law enforcement and crime prevention work. Employees occupying positions of this class are responsible for the protection of life and property through enforcing statutes and laws; rendering emergency assistance to the public in a wide variety of situations; performing standard crime and accident prevention duties; serving arrest warrants; dispatching police services; issuing citations for violation of city ordinance and state statutes; identifying and recovering stolen property; investigation of traffic accidents and initial investigation of crimes; deciding whether to arrest or not, as well as when to use force or firearms. Work involves an element of personal danger and incumbents are responsible for enforcing statutes and laws with minimal supervision. Work is occasionally reviewed while it is being performed but it is primarily reviewed by a supervisor who reads reports and evaluates results of completed work. During their probationary period, officers receive classroom and on-the-job training related to police work applying these to work situations. They are transferred from one shift to another to acquaint them with various aspects of work within the department. Throughout this period, officers perform the full range of police officer duties under the immediate supervision of an experienced police officer or high graded person. They are also required to obey all orders from superior officers and all rules and regulations of this department.

Examples of Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Patrols a designated area of the city in a police patrol vehicle or on foot to deter and discover crime and enforce traffic ordinances; does on-the-scene investigations of incidents, aids persons in trouble, and renders other public services as needed.
• Issues citations to violators of city ordinances and state statutes; serves warrants of arrest; arrests persons on misdemeanor and felony charges; handcuffs and searches arrested persons and secures their custody; completes necessary reports concerning the alleged crime, the circumstances of arrest, evidence obtained and the names of witnesses, victims, and complainants.
• Responds to reports of possible crime and takes initial action as situations require, to secure the scene; administers emergency first aid; interviews available victims and witnesses; gathers evidence and arrests suspects; completes incident and arrest reports; investigates persons suspected of being engaged in crime; ascertains and secures evidence pertaining to alleged crime; arrests suspects for probable cause; and requests specialized assistance as needed.
• Responds to automobile accidents; administers emergency first aid and summons necessary assistance; interviews principals and witnesses; makes general drawings of accident scenes, noting details and completes standard accident reports; issues citations or makes arrests as situation warrants.
• Investigates and assist drivers in stalled vehicles and pedestrians who appear to be hurt or in trouble; interviews persons with complaints or inquiries, gives information on laws and ordinances, and attempts to resolve the problem or to direct them to proper authorities.
• Investigates family disputes and reports of maltreatment of children; takes principals into custody, as needed, or refers them to appropriate agencies, such as juvenile and medical authorities.
• Performs guard duty in court or serves as bodyguard to public officials or threatened persons; transfers prisoners to and from jails, testifies in court.
• Performs specialized duties depending upon individual officer's background and abilities and the needs of the department and are required to maintain their assigned departmental equipment.
• Perform physical requirements associated with the position; including the ability to walk, run, jump, stand, lift, sit, restrain combative individuals, drive for long periods of time, and other physical requirements as determined by DPSST.
• Develops contacts to obtain information about crime, maintains contact with paroled criminals and suspects at large.
• Broadcasts and receives messages; maintains contact with and notes status of field units.
• Processes and secures services or information required by field units; relays requests to proper departmental division.
• Not all work to be performed is specifically described.

Typical Qualifications

• Skill in analyzing situations quickly and objectively to recognize actual and potential dangers and to determine proper course of action.
• Skill in reading and understanding laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
• Skill in coping with stress situations firmly, tactfully, and with respect for individual rights.
• Skill in communicating clearly, verbally and in writing.
• Skill in the use of computers.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with fellow employees and with citizens from varied racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
• Skill in developing skill in the use and care of a variety of firearms.
• Skill in learning and using investigative techniques and procedures.
• Skill in observing and remembering detail.
• Skill in learning to drive light duty passenger vehicles skillfully.
• Physical strength and agility sufficient to perform the work of the class.
• Skill in the use and care of firearms.

Supplemental Information
Graduation from high school, or the equivalent GED certificate. Preference will be given to previous experience in law enforcement or those who have a basic DPSST certificate. College level law enforcement course work is desirable but not required. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training, which ensures the ability to perform the work, may be substituted for the above.

The Process will consist of screening applicants based on experience and training as described in the job description. The most qualified applicants will be invited to an interview. Employment is contingent upon passing an extensive background investigation, medical examination, drug screen and psychological evaluation.

The City of Oregon City is an Equal Opportunity employer. The City will continue to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion, gender, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or protected veteran status. It is the City's policy to prohibit workplace harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of protected status. The City of Oregon City is committed to creating a respectful and professional work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation and that promotes employment opportunities.


Persons of color, women and qualified individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. If you wish modification of the selection process in order to accommodate a disability, please make your request in writing and submit it with your required application materials.
The following is an overview of the types of benefits offered to full-time employees. Part-time employees are offered some benefits on a pro-rated basis dependent upon number of hours worked and any applicable bargaining unit contract(s). Please note that all employees are required to enroll in benefits through the City. As a small organization, enrollment is required to aid in the City's ability to continue to offer progressive, affordable benefits to those who need them.


Summary of Medical Benefits
• Kaiser Medical
• MODA Medical

Employees have an option between a PPO plan through Moda or a heath maintenance organization (HMO) plan through Kaiser. Each medical plan includes prescription drugs and vision care. Coverage is for the employee and their dependents with a pick-up by employees toward the premium dependent upon their bargaining unit or management agreement.

Summary of Dental Benefits
• Kaiser Dental
• Delta Dental

Employees and their dependents plan. have two plans available for dental insurance. Both plans offer preventive, routine, and major dental care, and orthodontic benefits.

Life Insurance : Full-time employees are provided $50,000 life insurance with $2,000 for dependent coverage.

Long Term Disability Insurance : Full-time employees have long term disability insurance that provides for 2/3 of an employee's salary, up to a maximum earnings salary of $6,000 per month after a 30-day waiting period.

Retirement : The City is a member of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City currently contributes both the employer and employee's portion with the amount dependent upon the employee's status with PERS.

HRA-VEBA : This Health Reimbursement Account is funded by the employer with monthly payroll at 1% of base wages. This account can be used for qualifying medical, dental, and vision expenses for employees and their dependents. This funds in this account are invested and stay with the employee for life.


Flexible Spending Account : Employees are offered the option to contribute pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket medical expenses or child care expenses.

Employee Assistance Program : The City provides employees and their families with access to countless resources through Canopy.

Holidays : The City recognizes 12 paid holidays during a calendar year. Please check the city calendar for holiday closure dates.

Vacation : Paid vacation time accrues on a monthly basis based upon hours worked, length of service, and by employee group. Part-time employees accrue vacation based on number of hours hired to work.

Sick Leave : Sick leave accrues on a monthly basis at a rate of ten hours per month. Part-time employees accrue sick leave based on number of hours hired to work.

Gym Membership : While the Police Department contains a state of the art gym, full-time employees also have access to our Gym Membership benefit. Bring proof of membership to a facility and the City will reimburse up to $15.00 per month