Entry Level Police Officer

Police Officer

The City of Sumner's vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city. In working to achieve that vision, Sumner prioritizes and celebrates diverse perspectives, life experiences and differences. The City actively seeks and encourages people with diverse backgrounds and characteristics to apply and all come together with a goal of continuing to learn and improve to better serve the residents, businesses and visitors of our community. Sumner remains a traditional city of just over 10,000 residents with agricultural roots, known for decades as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World. At the same time, its compact, walkable layout aligns perfectly with progressive planning trends, as its classic Main Street becomes repurposed for boutiques, independent restaurants and daily services such as legal offices, financial advisors and doctors. While Sumner retains historic neighborhoods of Craftsman houses and an active high school right on Main Street, it also offers over 10,000 manufacturing and distribution jobs for companies such as REI, Keurig Green Mountain, Amazon.com, and Dillanos Coffee Roasters. With a downtown Sound Transit station with buses and trains, it is well connected to the Puget Sound region while striving to be a full service city with the largest YMCA facility in the state of Washington as well as a link trail system that will connect the Foothills and Interurban trails.

The City contracts jail services with neighboring agencies and dispatch service is provided by South Sound 911. The City also provides contracted animal control services to six other cities and maintains a shelter in the city of Puyallup. The department participates in multi-agency teams for SWAT, Major Crimes, Civil Disturbance, Collision Investigations, and numerous traffic emphasis.

We are guided by our principles of professionalism, integrity, teamwork, and commitment. The department has been state accredited since 2005. Our vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city police department. The general purpose of this position is to perform a variety of duties related to the suppression and prevention of crime, the protection on life and property and the preservation of the public peace; responsible for the enforcement of laws and for giving aid and information to citizens in the community. This position reports to the Police Sergeants. Supervision responsibilities include supervising the community and ensuring that laws and regulations are being followed.

Primary responsibilities include patrolling designated areas of the City, answering calls and complaints involving traffic accidents, domestic situations, robberies, and other misdemeanors, disturbances, and felonies; observing, reporting, and acting on conditions conducive to crime and danger; issuing infractions and citations, making arrests, transporting persons taken into custody, or taking other action as appropriate under the circumstances; preparing all forms, reports, and follow-up reports necessary to file felony and/or misdemeanor charges; preparing criminal cases for prosecution with either the City or County Prosecutor; conducting preliminary investigations at the scenes of crimes and accidents; patrolling an area of the City as directed in a patrol vehicle, bicycle, or on foot; conducting investigation assignments of suspected illegal activity or follow-up investigations of criminal cases; collecting and documenting evidence and requesting lab analysis as appropriate; reporting traffic hazards and directing pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow when necessary or directed; disbursing unruly crowds; enforcing vehicle operation and parking regulations; issuing warnings, notices of infraction, or citations as appropriate; responding to emergency calls including hazardous waste spills, bomb threats, and a wide variety of other calls; performing community liaison activities; educating the public about crime prevention; providing general information on law and ordinances; explaining process of filing a formal complaint, the extent of police patrols, and alternatives available to citizens; directing citizens to appropriate authorities as necessary; participating in crime prevention and other community action programs to promote citizen awareness and education; providing or assisting in other functions related to the duties and functions of Police Officer, such as drug awareness education, training management, crime prevention, scouting programs, etc; serving and enforcing civil process issued by the courts to include restraining orders, orders for protection, no contact order, anti-harassment orders, and subpoenas; serving arrest and search warrants and transporting persons in police custody; preparing and writing a variety of reports and records, such as, but not limited to, reports on incident or arrest, calls for service, property impoundment, accidents, offenses, damages to property, field interviews, and results of investigations; attending meetings, seminars, and other training classes to maintain current up-to-date knowledge of criminal and civil laws, as well as technical skills in order to remain proficient in the performance of duty; assuring that all equipment used in the performance of duty is clean, maintained, and operating properly; maintaining working relationships with surrounding police departments, Sheriff's Department, State Patrol, and relevant community service agencies to assure an accurate and timely flow of information as related to day-to-day duties and activities; training new personnel in geographical and cultural characteristics of the city and the general methods and procedures to use in the proper execution of police officer duties; providing non-emergency assistance to people in need; and may be required to provide booking services and back-up assistance to Dispatchers, Jailers, Animal Control Officers, Evidence Custodian, and Records Clerk as needed.

Desired minimum qualifications include education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade, successful completion and graduation from the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy, Washington State Peace Officer Certification, at least 21 years of age, a valid Washington State driver's license with a driving record free from serious or frequent violations, and passing a background check. Necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities include knowledge of federal, state, county, and city 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; and safe and appropriate use of firearms and other police-related tools. Ability to apply principles and techniques of modern crime prevention, investigation, apprehension, rules of evidence, and all other aspects of law enforcement; physically handle persons resisting arrest; meet the minimum standards of strength, agility, and endurance as specified in the Cooper Test (or other approved test) conducted by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission; deal with the public in a tactful, pleasant, and courteous manner; follow directions, both oral and written; maintain composure under adverse conditions such as public harassment, critical injuries, and death; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other organizations, and the general public; analyze situations quickly and objectively, to recognize actual and potential dangerous situations, and to determine a proper course of action; present evidence in court effectively; skill in observation and remembering details such as names, faces, and incidents; physically meet the physical demands and perform the essential functions of the position of a police officer; skillfully and safely use firearms and other police-related tools, including operation of a motor vehicle; contribute to the Department's Mission; and communicate effectively, both in speaking in writing English.

Applicants will be asked to complete the following documents to move forward in the background process: Waiver and Authorization to Release Information (Download PDF reader) and Pre-Employment Investigation Discovery Waiver (Download PDF reader). For Entry Level Candidates- your current, updated Personal History Statement is required to be submitted through your Public Safety Testing profile. A complete, updated Personal History Statement (PHS) is required prior to candidate being invited to participate in interviews. Candidates who provide an incomplete PHS or fail to submit a PHS to the City through Public Safety Testing will not be moved forward. Veterans' Preference: Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must complete and sign the Veterans' Scoring Criteria Status Declaration form (Download PDF reader). This form AND service verification document must be attached with your application to have Veterans' Preference points applied to your score. Selection Guidelines: Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check; job-related tests may be required. Background checks will include: Prior Employment Verification, Personal and Professional References, Employment Eligibility Verification, Educational Verification, Criminal History, Motor Vehicle Records, and Credit History.

The City of Sumner provides full time, permanent employees with excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and LEOFF plan for Police; advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives. Medical Coverage: The City provides Regence High Deductible Medical Plan coverage for eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger. The City contributes each year to the employee's Health Savings Account. Employer contributions to the HSA are pro-rated for employees starting after the first of the year. Dental Coverage: Delta Dental insurance is covered at 100% For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger. Vision Coverage: VSP $0 cost share plan is provided for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to receive paid holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type. Regular full time employees earn PTO upon hire and increases with additional years of service. Our City Code explains the leave benefits and holidays in more detail: Sumner Municipal Code For positions eligible for union representation, the current collective bargaining agreements can be found on our City Website's employment page: Insurance Plans: All full-time, permanent employees are covered by