Police Officer - Entry

The Position

The Port of Portland Police Department is seeking high-quality Police Officer- Entry candidates to join our professional, growing team! Our officers are state-certified peace officers serving at the Portland International Airport (PDX) and the surrounding area. Not all policing is the same—and that's the point. This is policing with a broader impact, a different pace, and a unique environment. At the Port of Portland, you operate in a critical infrastructure setting where traditional policing and protecting one of the region's most visible and heavily traveled public spaces intersect every day.

The Port of Portland Police Department is comprised of over 65 sworn officers and 8 professional staff. In addition to uniformed patrol, we offer a range of specialized assignments including detectives, canine handlers, transit operations, bomb technicians, and regional task force participation. If you're as dedicated to service as we are, consider joining our team!

Selection Process

• Front Line National Written Exam
• Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT)
• Application Materials & Qualification Review
• Screening Interview
• Panel Interview
• Background Investigation
• Psychological Examination
• Executive Interview, including discussion of background and psychological evaluation
• Medical Examination
• Pre-employment Drug Screening

Essential Job Duties

Public Safety & Crime Prevention

• Protect life and property at Portland International Airport (PDX).
• Patrol designated areas by vehicle, bicycle, or on foot to deter crime and detect criminal activity.
• Respond to reports of possible crimes and act appropriately.
• Develop contacts to gather information and maintain intelligence on criminal activity and suspects.

Law Enforcement & Legal Compliance

• Enforce state statutes, Port, and City ordinances; issue citations or make arrests as appropriate.
• Serve search and arrest warrants, collect evidence, and complete detailed incident reports.
• Respond to traffic and other accidents; administer first aid, interview witnesses, and complete accident reports.
• Communicate in person, via radios, and through computer systems to broadcast and receive information.
• Maintain clear documentation and reporting for law enforcement and airport security operations.

Public Service & Community Engagement

• Ensure public convenience and well-being within airport facilities; address inquiries, resolve complaints, and provide personal security services as assigned.
• Provide community services, presentations, and respond promptly to the needs of airport tenants, customers, and stakeholders.

Salary Information: Salary is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement and years of continuous service. All required uniforms and equipment are supplied by the police department.

Contract Salary Scale:

Start: $39.744 - $82,667.52

1 year: $42.187 - $87,748.96

2 years: $44.777 - $93,136.16

3 years: $47.542 - $98,887.36

4 years: $50.319 - $104,663.52

5 years+: $53.332 - $110,930.56

In addition to the base salary, officers may qualify for incentive or premium pay for certifications and special skills. Entry-level officers can look forward to opportunities such as:

• 3% for language proficiency (test required)
• 5–10% for DPSST Intermediate or Advanced certifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Eligible for police officer certification in the State of Oregon
• U.S. citizenship
• Valid driver's license (Oregon or Washington) prior to hire, or ability to obtain
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance for unescorted access to secured airport areas
• Ability to meet physical performance expectations, including strength and stamina requirements
• Proficiency in understanding and following oral and written instructions in English
• Ability to pass required testing, including the written exam and physical abilities test
• Ability to successfully complete all pre-employment screenings (background investigation, psychological evaluation, drug test, & medical exam)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in criminal justice, social science, or a related field
• Experience in law enforcement, corrections, security, or a related field

Supplemental and Selection Information

Interview Process

• A passing FrontLine National (NTN) Written Exam score is required for application review. Applications may be submitted without a score; however, they will not be reviewed until a valid passing score is received.
• You have 30 days from the date of application submission to provide your passing score. Applications without a passing score after 30 days will be closed.
• Application Review: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for minimum qualifications. Qualified candidates are evaluated and shortlisted monthly.
• Interviews: Selected candidates will be contacted directly and invited to participate in screening & panel interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I complete the Port of Portland application? A: Please complete the full Port of Portland online application at Incomplete applications may be rejected, and resumes do not replace required application fields.

Q: How do I complete the Frontline National Written Exam? A: Candidates are responsible for scheduling and taking their written exam. The FrontLine National written exam can be scheduled by visiting the National Testing Network (NTN) website at Note: You must indicate you want to share your scores with the Port of Portland for consideration.

Q: When should I submit my NTN Written Exam scores? A: A passing FrontLine National (NTN) Written Exam score is required for your application to be reviewed. You are strongly encouraged to upload your scores with your application to avoid delays. Applications without valid passing scores will not advance, and any application submitted without scores will be closed if scores are not received within 30 days of submission.

Q: How can I schedule the ORPAT? A: You can schedule the Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT) through Chemeketa Community College in Brooks, Oregon. Click this link for more information about how to schedule the ORPAT.

Q: How often are applications and test scores reviewed? A: Applications and submitted NTN scores are reviewed monthly to determine eligibility for screening interviews.

Q: What are the minimum passing scores for the NTN Written Exam? A: Passing scores are required in all three sections of the FrontLine National (NTN) Written Exam:

• Video: 64.5 or higher
• Writing: 70 or higher
• Reading: 70 or higher

Q: What are the automatic disqualifiers for becoming a certified police officer in Oregon? A: You may be disqualified from Oregon police certification for reasons such as certain criminal convictions (including felony convictions), inability to pass a background investigation, falsification of application materials, inability to obtain or maintain a valid driver's license, failure to meet citizenship requirements, or other disqualifying factors outlined by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).

Q: Can I reapply if my application is not selected or closed due to missing documents? A: Yes. You may reapply 90 days after their initial application submission. Please note that priority will be given to candidates who submit complete applications, including valid passing NTN Written Exam scores.

About Us

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have – our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business