PATROL SERGEANT - IN HOUSE

Job Description

Job Description

VACANCY ANN#:     STOI-26-058

TITLE:                            PATROL SERGEANT - ( IN HOUSE )

DEPARTMENT:          SPOKANE TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

SUPERVISOR:            CHIEF OF POLICE

LOCATION:                 SPOKANE TRIBE OF INDIANS

STATUS:                      FULL-TIME, NON EXEMPT

RATE OF PAY:            $40.60 - $45.11

OPENING DATE:       JULY 9, 2026

CLOSING DATE:       JULY 16, 2026

INTRODUCTION: This position is for a Sergeant Level Police Officer.   The Spokane Tribal Indian Reservation is in the southern part of Stevens County Washington. It is spread over 154,000 plus acres of beautiful mountain, valleys and river lined land.  The Spokane and Columbia Rivers border the serene views of our reservation.  With a population of approximately 2900 in our community, the Spokane Tribal Police Department provides 24/7 coverage to our members and visitors yearly.  The Spokane Tribe operates two Casinos, 1 in Airway Heights and 1 in Chewelah Washington.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Under general supervision, is responsible for supervising Police Officers or performs specialized supervisory duties in the areas of training, investigations, scheduling or other assignments
• Supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned staff
• Works with the community, employees, and visitors of Spokane Tribe of Indians to promote their general health, safety and well-being
• Officers will maintain a healthy relationship with Tribal, State and federal programs and jurisdictions.
• Exercise independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree.
• Effect arrests, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons.
• Prepare investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations.
• Exercise independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree.
• Operates a law enforcement vehicle during daytime or nighttime, in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and on unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice, snow.
• Communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Gather information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informers.
• Pursue fleeing suspects and perform rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement patrol vehicle; lifting, caring, and dragging heavy objects; jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches, and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces; and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.
• Conduct visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.
• Engage in law enforcement patrol functions that include such things as working rotating shifts, walking on foot patrol, and physically checking the doors and windows of buildings to ensure they are secure.
• Effectively communicate with people, including juveniles and the elderly, by giving information and directions, mediating disputes, and advising of rights and processes.
• Demonstrating communication skills in court and other formal settings.
• Detect and collect evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offenses and infractions which indicate the presence of dangerous conditions.
• Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with hostile views and opinions of suspects and other people encountered in an antagonistic environment.
• Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters to include directing traffic for long periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging, and carrying people from particular areas.
• Process and transport prisoners and committed mental patients using handcuffs and other appropriate restraints.
• Read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits, court papers and warrants.
• Process arrested suspects which will include working with Corrections Staff in processing booking paperwork, taking photographs, finger printing and obtaining medical clearances.
• Maintain and use efficiently all department issued equipment (i.e. weapon, vehicle, and uniform) in a clean and functional fashion.
• This job description does not list all of the duties of this position. You may be instructed by Directors to perform other duties as assigned.
• Be able to work extended and various working hours, days and conditions that are contrary to generally accepted work scheduling and conditions. (i.e. Nights, Weekends, Holidays and hazardous/unsafe weather and/or other conditions)

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED FOR POSITION:

• Police officers must be able to communicate from a basic level to college level with person(s) by verbal, non-verbal and written communications based upon the needs and skills of the clientele.
• Officers must be able to be quick and logical thinkers with the ability to solve deep and complex problems and communicate these ideas to others both verbally and in written reports.
• Officers must educate with creativity, understanding, courteous and insightful when working with the public.
• Officers must be able to read complex laws and legal documents and interpret and discuss this information with people of all educational levels and communications capacities.
• Officers must have the ability to be kind, patient and maintain their composure with all person(s) regardless of the other person(s) demeanor and despite verbal abuse or offensive language.
• Officers must be leaders that compose themselves with the highest levels of integrity, conduct and demeanor so as to instill confidence in the public and maintain peace regardless of circumstances.
• Officers must also possess the ability to use force if necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• To be a Police Officer you must be able to load, unload, aim, and fire handguns, shotguns, and other agency firearms from a variety of body positions under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards requiring high levels of dexterity.
• Have the physical ability to conduct searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and running and lifting of people of 150+ pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, see, feel and hear. The Employee is also regularly required to stand, walk, run; sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, and to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, also climb and get into confined spaces.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus and night-vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in all types of weather and working conditions from office, vehicle, indoors and out, during all times of the year. Officers are exposed to possible injury due to responding to emergency conditions, hazardous environments, and will be subjected to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, fumes, smoke and possibly many types of guns and weapons. Additionally, officers are exposed to hazardous situations in evolving persons in various mental states due to medical condition(s) or levels of intoxication from alcohol and/or drugs.
• Officers are also subject to a high degree danger inherent to the job and may be put into life threatening situations both known and unknown as a consequence of protection of life and public service. Officers must be willing to work alone or in conjunction with team operations.

MANDATORY JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent. Post-secondary training or education is not required but is favorable for this position and may be given preference if applicable.

• Must be a certified peace officer in good standing
• Must have Supervisory experience
• Must be a US Citizen who is a lawful permanent resident
• Must Be at least 21-years of age
• Must have a minimum of High school Diploma or Equivalent (Some College or Degree is preferred)
• 10 years’ experience as a commissioned police officer with supervisory experience
• No Felony Convictions
• No Domestic Violence Convictions
• Must be able to legally possess and carry a firearm in accordance with Federal, State and Tribal Law
• No History of Crimes related to dishonesty
• Must have and maintain above standard driving record and be insurable by the Spokane Tribe of Indians insurance provider

SPECIAL BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS:

This position is administered under the authority of the Public Law 93-638 (A13AV00232) contract between the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. All positions must comply with the provisions of 25 CFR 12.11 and evaluated under the guidelines set forth by the Spokane Tribe of Indians employment policy and 441 DM 5.

• 441 DM 5

5.1 General Requirements.

The adjudication criteria are applicable to Federal applicants/employees, consultants, contractors, and other classifications of individuals who are subject to a background investigation. Individuals whose conduct and behavior are such that entrusting them with classified information, assigning them to sensitive duties, or assigning them to a position of public trust is clearly consistent with the interests of national security or the efficiency of the Federal service.

OTHER:

• During the probation period, they must demonstrate good knowledge of the principles and practices of police work; good knowledge of laws and ordinances governing local law enforcement; good knowledge of first aid; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department personnel and the general public; ability to think clearly in high stress and emergency situations; good professional judgment; integrity; tact and honesty.

Positions with the Spokane Tribal Law Enforcement Division are subject to a One (1) year Probationary Period that begins upon the first day of employment.

*Tribal Preference Applies - Tribal Preference grants preference in employment to qualified enrolled Spokane Tribal Citizens, Spouses of Spokane Tribal Citizens, First Line Descendants of Spokane Tribal Citizens, and Citizens of other Tribes and Other Applicants, in that order.

*Safety Sensitive Background – Requires a higher standard of performance and behavior.

Note: This position has been identified as a “Safety Sensitive” position. This position is subject to pre-employment, random and post-accident drug testing.   Polygraph and Psychological testing are required

MUST APPLY ONLINE:

Confirmation receipt of on-line application submission and interview status will be sent to all applicants e-mail address used when applying. Applicants are responsible to regularly monitor their e-mail for interview notifications.

Contact: HR FRONTDESK

View phone number on ziprecruiter.com  

E-mail:   View email address on ziprecruiter.com

Applications Must Be Received In The Human Resources Department No

Later Than 4:30 p.m. on the Closing Date

The Spokane Tribe Reserves The Right To Hire According To Its Indian Preference Policy

Applicants May be Subject To A Pre-Employment Drug Test Positions With The Spokane Tribe Law Enforcement Positions Are Subject To A One Year Probationary Period