Police Officer (Entry Level)

Police Officer

The City of Port Orchard uses Public Safety Testing to administer entry level written and physical agility examinations. Please go to PublicSafetyTesting.com to apply. There is a fee to take the exam. Applicants who successfully pass the written and physical agility tests will receive further instructions from the City of Port Orchard. Hiring for the position of Police Officer is under the purview of the Civil Service Commission and commission rules.

The base pay range for this position is $43.66 - $54.03 per hour. The starting salary for an entry level officer is $43.66 per hour. This position is eligible for education pay. The pay range for an employee holding an Associate's is $44.53 - $55.11 and for an employee holding a Bachelor's is $45.41 - $56.19. This position is also eligible for bilingual pay for employees certified fluent in Spanish, Tagalog, Korean, or American Sign Language. The pay range for the bilingual premium is $44.53 - $55.11. This position is also eligible for longevity pay, with an increase of 0.25% each year the employee is employed with the City, starting on year 3. An employee completing a 32 year career with the City would expect to make $58.35 in the last year of employment based on 2026 numbers, for a salary range of $43.66 - $58.35. Taking these numbers into account, the salary for this position could ultimately range between $43.66 - $61.59 based on the 2026 pay scale, with the upper pay appropriate for a bilingual employee holding a Bachelor's with 32 years of longevity pay.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. HRA VEBA account is also provided. Retirement benefits are provided through LEOFF and optional Deferred Compensation. Employees receive a holiday leave bank in lieu of holidays, vacation leave and sick leave in accordance with the union contract. In accordance with the Guild CBA, a $750 clothing allowance is also provided. More benefit details are available by clicking on the "Benefits" tab at the top of this job posting.

A Patrol Officer's primary purpose is to protect the lives, property, and rights of all members of the community. Officers will work to reduce crime, and the fear of crime, while remaining proactive and innovative in their approach to the enforcement of the law. Officers are expected to be team members with the community through transparency, accountability, and engagement.

Under general supervision from the Sergeant, the Patrol Officer will help to create, nurture, and maintain a community-oriented public safety department in alignment with the department's mission, vision, and values.

This is a non-supervisory position. However, a Patrol Officer may be assigned to serve as a Field Training Officer for a new officer or Police Reserve Officer.

Respond to emergency and routine calls for service. Apprehend violators or offenders of the law; in situations where lawful arrests are resisted, the Officer must be prepared and able at times through training, judgment, and high levels of physical exertion, to use justifiable levels of force to overcome the resistance and protect the suspect, community members, themselves, and fellow officers. Tactically de-escalate any verbal attacks that may occur while performing work assignments; endure verbal and mental assault when confronted with hostile views and opinions of suspects and others encountered in an antagonistic environment. Operate a motor vehicle for extended periods of time in all environmental conditions, occasionally at high speeds and in congested traffic situations. Conduct patrols in a City vehicle, on foot, bicycle, marine vessel, and/or other conveyance on an assigned shift; patrol business and residential areas to provide a visible element of safety. Monitor and enforce traffic laws and safety ordinances; issue infractions as appropriate. Look for criminal or potential criminal behavior; identify risks to public safety and order. Investigate traffic collisions in various weather and traffic conditions; physically direct traffic, place temporary control devices such as portable stop signs, barricades, and other forms of directional signing as needed. Appropriately provide first aid, CPR, or naloxone as needed. Read, review, interpret, and serve court orders; serve search and arrest warrants. Conduct detailed investigations and gather information that pertains to suspected criminal activities; prepare detailed investigative reports. Prepare affidavits for search warrants, interview witnesses and suspects; develop and use informants and other investigative acts. Appear in court to present evidence and testify. Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, working for long periods of time, detaining individuals, and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons. Record information related to daily patrol activities and preparation of reports based on this information to aid in the prosecution of offenders. Maintain positive relationships and perform as a liaison with other departments and agencies. Attend and actively participate in meetings, training courses, and seminars to maintain current knowledge of criminal and civil laws; develop and maintain technical skills to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of duty. Prep material to present at training sessions for officers or others including schools, businesses, community groups, etc. Obtain and maintain current certifications as required by policy and local, state, or federal law. Assist in the coordination of multi-agency responses to criminal activity, community outreach events, and the training, leading, or coordination with other City departments. Conduct light preventative maintenance on departmental equipment. Reliable and regular attendance is required. Other duties as assigned.

A Patrol Officer will have daily contact with City employees, community members, and public safety partners. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, including in inclement or severe weather conditions. May have exposure to hazards such as chemicals, insect stings, temperature extremes, blood, and communicable disease. May encounter hostility or violence and may be subject to verbal and/or physical attack or assault, including gunfire. Tasks may require the employee to wear protective clothing or equipment. The Patrol Officer is subject to shift rotation according to established procedures and may be required to work overtime as the need arises and/or to attend meetings during other than normal work hours and/or be called back to work before or after regularly scheduled work hours or on scheduled days off. Will be required to work Saturdays, Sundays, holidays. Subpoenaed appearances in court to testify in the prosecution of persons charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses is a regular and ongoing occurrence, and such appearances may be required during a Patrol Officer's days off, or before or after a regularly scheduled work shift. In addition, the Officer may be contacted by supervisory personnel at their residence during off-duty hours for guidance and/or counseling.

Knowledge of City ordinances and applicable state and federal laws and WAC rules; department policy and procedures; modern law enforcement methods and procedures; principles of criminal and collision investigations; basic techniques for crime prevention and criminal investigations; laws of arrest and search and seizure including legal ramifications of actions taken; identification and preservation of evidence; criminal behavior and causes of underlying criminality, and social, psychological, and physical needs of suspects and community members experiencing behavior health issues or substance use disorders; geography and street locations, first aid principles and application; and organization and planning. Ability to use and care for firearms; operate a police vehicle and other law enforcement equipment; establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; analyze dangerous situations rapidly and accurately; maintain control in stressful, hostile, and hazardous situations; enforce all applicable laws; prepare clear and concise reports; act without supervision and exercise independent judgment; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; communicate effectively in English with coworkers, superiors, and community members both orally and in writing; interact effectively with individuals, groups, and organizations representing a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, opinions, and beliefs; cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully, with respect for the rights of others; adhere to a high standard of personal and professional ethics; effectively deal with violations of rules, policies, and procedures on an impartial basis; maintain standards of physical fitness; recognize when the application of deadly force is appropriate under state law and department policy; employ deadly force to protect human life; and operate a motor vehicle, computer/keyboards, BASC verification machines, telephones, police radios, mobile computer terminals, digital recorders, body worn cameras, firearms and weapons platforms, handcuffs, and other police related equipment.

The Patrol Officer will routinely encounter emergency situations that may require rapid evacuation of an area to avoid personal injury or to aid another and must therefore have the physical ability to walk and run. A Patrol Officer must also have the physical ability to engage in physical altercations and confrontations and to subdue or calm a combative individual, and to rescue victims. Will be required to operate a City patrol car safely and efficiently.

High school diploma or GED equivalent is required. Must be 21 years of age or older; a citizen of the United States of America, a lawful permanent resident, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient; and be legally permitted to possess a firearm in the State of Washington. Valid driver's license required upon hire. Out of state candidates are required to obtain a WA state driver's license in accordance with state law. Must be able to speak, read and write the English language and have the ability to read, understand and interpret ordinances, laws, and other operating procedures and to communicate orally and in writing. Must