Lateral Police Officer

Join the City of Bellevue Police Department

Come join the City of Bellevue! Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary

The City of Bellevue Police Department has an exciting opportunity for experienced Lateral Police Officers. A Lateral police officer is defined as a Police Officer who: possesses a valid and current peace officer certificate from a state training commission that is recognized by the State of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, and has two (2) or more years of consecutive police experience. We are interested in those who have a passion for community service and are looking for a new opportunity to serve the City of Bellevue. Take a look at what our department is about at For those with less than 2 years of prior law enforcement experience and a valid and current peace officer certificate, please apply for our Exceptional Police Officer opening.

Our Mission: To provide a safe place to live, work, and visit through quality law enforcement practices delivered by dedicated professionals. We focus our efforts and resources to Reduce Crime, Reduce the Fear of Crime, and Enhance the Quality of Life for all who call Bellevue home. Our Guiding Principles - Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Service. We support the mission of city government by consistently contributing to our community's reputation as a safe and vibrant place to live, work and visit.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Patrols a designated area of the city in a radio-equipped vehicle, on a motorcycle, or on foot to preserve law and order, prevent or discover the commission of crime, and enforce motor vehicle regulations.
• Answers calls and complaints involving emergencies, automobile accidents, criminal complaints, and other misdemeanors and felonies.
• Conducts investigations, gathers evidence, obtains witnesses, makes arrests, and transports suspects.
• Interviews persons with complaints and inquiries and attempts to make the proper disposition or direct them to proper authorities.
• Acts as jailer or bailiff; serves warrants when assigned.
• Gives information to the public regarding laws and ordinances.
• Appears in court, gives testimony, and presents evidence as necessary.
• Administers first aid in emergency situations.
• Prepares detailed written reports of investigations.
• Performs related work as required.
• Supervision Received and Exercised: Employees must be able to act without direct supervision and to exercise discretion in meeting emergencies. Assignments and instructions are received from superior officers who review work methods and results, monitor activities, and evaluate accomplishments through personal interview, personal inspection, and review of written reports covering assigned activities.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for Lateral Police Officer position at time of application:

• Possess a valid and current peace officer certificate from a state training commission that is recognized by the State of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
• Have more than two consecutive (2) years of full-time employment as a Police Officer, with no more than 60 month break in service from when you left your last police position to the time of submitting your application with the Bellevue Police Department.
• If prior service was outside of WA State out of state officers, you will be enrolled in and must pass an equivalency academy within the first year of employment (on normal duty time).

Additional Minimum Requirements

• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of application.
• Must be a US Citizen OR Lawful permanent resident OR Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient with employment authorization from USCIS.
• Must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent education.
• Ability to speak, read and write in the English language.
• Must be in excellent physical condition.
• Possess, or be able to obtain and retain, a Washington State driver's license prior to being hired.
• Successfully pass a background investigation that includes a complete criminal records check, a polygraph examination, and a psychological examination.
• Satisfactorily complete a medical examination per the Public Safety Civil Service Commission standards.

• Applicant must have vision correctable to 20/20 in the better eye and 20/30 in the lesser eye. Applicants wearing eyeglasses or hard contacts must have uncorrected vision no worse than 20/200 in each eye.
• Applicants wearing soft contacts must be able to:
• Provide verifiable documentation that soft contacts have been worn regularly for at least one (1) year prior to application.
• Meets minimum vision acuity standards with soft contact lenses, and
• There are no indications of corneal damage, or conditions of the eye which might require discontinuation of soft contact use.

Supplemental Information

Hiring Bonus Eligibility

• Possess a valid and current peace officer certificate from a state training commission that is recognized by the State of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
• Has two (2) or more years of consecutive police experience.
• No more than 24 months break in service from when you left your last police officer position to the time of submitting your application with the Bellevue Police Department.

Successful exceptional candidates may be eligible for:

• Up to a $30,000.00 hiring bonus
• Moving expense reimbursement for up to $7,500 for documented moving expenses if relocating from Out-of-State.

In addition to the benefits overview on the second tab, Police Officers are also eligible for the following benefits as outlined in the Bellevue Police Officers Guild CBA (Download PDF reader):

• Education incentive
• 4% premium pay for 10 specialty job assignments.
• Workout while on duty (three hours per week).
• Receive thirteen (13) traditional holidays in lieu of 10 observed holiday and 2 additional personal days.
• Comprehensive Quartermaster program that supplies equipment, uniform, and weapons.
• Generous professional development and training opportunities (Over 140 hours / year).
• Tuition reimbursement program for bachelor's degree in an approved field of study.
• Police Officers receive 10 hours of leave credit on and in lieu of thirteen (13) traditional holidays in accordance with Bellevue Police Officer Guild agreement.

Veteran's Preference for candidates with qualifying military experience.

• Any prior military service members must have received an honorable and/or qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005.
• Must present a record or receipt of United States department of defense discharge documents DD214, NGB – 22 or their equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes service as honorable and/or qualifying per RCW 73.04.005.

Police Officer Disqualifiers The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Driving

• Automatic
  • Any DUI conviction within the past 5 years. Any other criminal traffic violation within the past 2 years. Examples include: Reckless Driving, Negligent Driving, or Hit & Run Driving.
  • Suspension or revocation of your driver's license (for any traffic violation) within 1 year of the date of employment application.
• Potential
  • Applicants' driving record shows a continuing and/or recent pattern of poor decision making.

Drug Usage - The City of Bellevue is a Drug Free Workplace