Police Officer - Entry Level

Salary: $39.11 - $51.42 Hourly
Location : 333 Division Street NE Salem, OR
Job Type: Fulltime-Career
Job Number: 26-0411-04
Department: Police Department
Org: Police Patrol Field Operations
Opening Date: 04/20/2026
Closing Date: 6/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Job Summary
Salem Police Department Core Values:
Collaboration | Honor | Integrity | Compassion
Salary Step

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Longevity Rate

Hourly Rate

$39.11

$41.07

$43.12


$45.28

$47.54

$49.92

$51.42

Monthly Rate

$6,779.07

$7,118.80


$7,474.13

$7,848.53

$8,240.27

$8,652.80

$8,912.80

Certifications, Training, & College Incentives

2% - 10%

Extra Duty/Specialized Assignment Incentive

2.5% - 5%

Bi-Lingual Incentive

5%

Full List of Incentives
Other Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family, Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%. Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies. Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account. Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Voluntary long-term care. Employee wellness program. Employee assistance program. Employee health clinic. Free, secure parking. Department gym available for employee use.


The City offers an excellent compensation and benefits package which can be found by


What are the minimum qualifications?

• Be at least 21 years old at date of hire.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or have the ability to become one within 18 months of hire.
• Participate in competitive testing including physical fitness testing, reading comprehension, writing skills, written, physical/vision, hearing and psychological examinations, and be able to pass strict Police Department background investigation.
• Must pass the pre-employment drug test (including marijuana).
• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Oregon's minimum standards to work as a law enforcement officer and background disqualifiers can be found in OAR 259-008.
• Must be able to work periodic overtime and a variety of 24-hour rotating shifts including holidays and weekends.
• High School graduate or have completed a G.E.D.
• Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Ability to complete departmental recruit training course and to gain eligibility for Basic Certificate issued by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).
• A valid Oregon driver's license , or out of state equivalent, or ability to obtain by date of hire; must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City's standard. Oregon law requires that an of-state license holder must obtain a valid Oregon license (with appropriate endorsements) within 30 days of becoming domiciled in the state (ORS 803.355).

What are the disqualifiers and eliminating factors?

• OAR 259-008.
• No felony convictions.
• No convictions for crimes involving domestic violence.
• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of military service.
• No more than three (3) traffic (moving) convictions in the last three (3) years.

For more information, please click here
Hiring Process:
Applicants must submit a completed application and provide valid tests results for NTN Frontline National Test (NTN) and Oregon Physical Agility Test (ORPAT) or out-of-state PAT equivalent by June 29, 2026 to be considered in the hiring process.
For more information about the hiring process please click here

NTN & ORPAT/PAT Requirements:

• 70% in Writing
• 70% in Reading
• 65% in Video/Media

Applicants must complete the ORPAT in 6:30 or less to pass. However, the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) requires a time of 5:30 or less for graduation.

Click here for practice tests. For exam scheduling assistance, visit NTN's job listing

Click here for ORPAT preparation tips. For test scheduling, visit ORPAT scheduling

Out-of-State Applicants: If you have a valid PAT test from another state or the military, you may submit your score with your application, provided it is less than 12 months old from the job announcement closing date.

Hired applicants are eligible for a $100 reimbursement for NTN and ORPAT testing costs.
About us:
The Salem Police Department is the 4th largest agency in the State of Oregon. We are a full-service department to include many special teams. Our new facility is a 104,000 square foot building with many amenities for employees to include an indoor/outdoor breakroom, and a work-out room/locker room.


The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon. Located in the lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 180,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.
A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments:
Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members. The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Community Planning and Development department.

Where can I find out more about the position?
Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Police Officer or view by


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For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at .

How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.


To apply, click on the green "Apply" button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.


Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.

EEO/Women, veterans and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Contact Information:
Sgt. Robert Dowd
View phone number on click.appcast.io
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN IMPLIED CONTRACT AND MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE
For benefits information, go to:
01


This position requires honesty and accuracy throughout the hiring process. By answering this question, you are acknowledging the following:All questions are used to screen you as an Entry Level Police Officer applicant for the Salem Police Department.The information you provide will be verified through records, interviews, and background checks.Providing false, misleading, or inaccurate answers at any stage will result in disqualification or, if discovered after hiring, immediate dismissal.Negative information in your answers does not automatically disqualify you. However, dishonesty at any point is cause for disqualification and/or termination.You must certify that all responses are truthful, accurate, and complete-without intentional misrepresentation or omission.Do you swear or affirm that you will answer all supplemental questions truthfully and accurately, and that your answers will contain no intentional misrepresentations, omissions, or falsifications?

• Yes, I agree.
• No, I do not agree.

02


Have you ever been convicted of a felony as an adult? (If your felony conviction has been expunged, select "No.")

• Yes
• No

03


Have you ever been convicted of a crime involving domestic violence? (If your conviction has been expunged, select "No.")

• Yes
• No

04


Have you ever been convicted of a sex-related crime, or have you ever been required to register as a sex offender?

• Yes
• No

05


Have you ever been convicted of a major traffic offense, or been found at fault in a collision that resulted in death or major injury to another person? Examples of major traffic offenses include Reckless Driving, Attempting to Elude, Hit and Run (failure to perform the duties of a driver), or felony driving while suspended or revoked. (If the conviction has been expunged, select "No.")

• Yes
• No

06


Within the last three (3) years, have you been convicted of three (3) or more moving traffic violations? Examples: speeding, running a stop sign or red light, reckless driving, drunk driving (DUI/DWI), racing, or citations issued by traffic light cameras.

• Yes
• No

07


Within the last three (3) years, have you been convicted of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) or a similar offense?

• Yes
• No

08


Are you currently prohibited from owning a firearm, due to restraining or protective orders, any court ruling (such as mental health adjudications), or any other legal prohibition not related to felony or domestic violence convictions? (Do not answer "Yes" solely because you do not have a concealed handgun license. This question is not about concealed carry permits.)

• Yes, I am currently prohibited from possessing a firearm
• No, I am not prohibited from possessing a firearm.

09


In the past 12 months, have you used any product containing cannabis, marijuana, or THC? (Do not include over-the-counter or retail CBD products that do not contain THC.)

• Yes
• No

10


In the past five (5) years, have you used any prescription medication that was not prescribed to you, or used any illegal substance such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, or similar? (Do not include use of prescribed medications, taken as directed by your healthcare provider.)

• Yes
• No

11


All applicants must complete the following by Monday, June 29, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. and submit documentation of passing scores:The National Testing Network (NTN) Law Enforcement Frontline Exam, with a reading and writing score of 70% or higher, and a video score of 65% or higher.The Oregon Physical Agility Test (ORPAT) with a time of 6:30 or less; OR a comparable Military Physical Fitness Test; OR another equivalent physical ability test with a passing score.

• I have completed the NTN Law Enforcement Frontline Exam and achieved the required scores.
• I have completed the physical ability test (ORPAT 6:30 or less, Military Physical Fitness Test, or an equivalent test with a passing score).
• I have an appointment scheduled for the NTN Law Enforcement Frontline Exam.
• I have an appointment scheduled for the physical ability test (ORPAT, Military Physical Fitness Test, or equivalent).
• I have NOT yet taken or scheduled the NTN exam or physical ability test, but I understand I must complete both and submit proof of passing scores by the deadline.

12


Have you attached proof (such as a screenshot or documentation) showing your passing NTN written exam scores and physical ability test scores to this application? (If not, you must provide proof no later than Monday, June 29, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.)

• Yes, I have attached proof of my passing scores for both tests to this application.
• No, I have not attached proof at this time, but I understand that I must email or upload my passing scores for both exams by the deadline, or I will be eliminated from the hiring process with no exceptions.

Required Question