Lateral Police Officer

Police Officer

The Police Department is currently accepting applications for lateral police officers. Applicants must possess a Basic Police Certification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), or an equivalent certification from another state; have at least one year of full-time law enforcement experience; have successfully completed a field training program; and have completed their probationary period with their current employing agency. The Lateral Police Officer position is covered under the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement.

The Police Department will review applications every two to three weeks and will conduct ORPAT testing along with panel, executive staff and background investigator interviews during comprehensive two (2) to three (3) day sessions. Specific dates will be determined at the end of each two-to-three-week review cycle.

All Lateral applicants will be required to complete ORPAT or provide documentation of having completed ORPAT within the last 12 months. Documentation must include the date of the test, completion time, and be on letterhead of the agency that conducted the test. Out of state Lateral applicants must have completed training resulting in the award of certification in the discipline you are applying for. For reference, please follow this link to the DPSST Certification Guide.

A professional, sworn position that performs law enforcement and crime prevention work including patrol and investigation; apprehension of criminals, preservation of peace and protection of life and property; enforces Federal, State and local laws; practices the principles of Community Policing; does related work as required. This position falls under the general classification of Police Officer. Full Classification details can be found here: Police Officer.

Patrols assigned geographical areas in the City by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot to aid in preventing crime and to enforce Federal, State, and City laws and municipal codes.

Observes, reports, and acts on conditions conducive to crime and danger, such as checking buildings for security; observing residences, schools, banks and vacant areas; checking suspicious persons and vehicles. Issues citations, makes arrests or takes other action as warranted by circumstances.

Reports traffic hazards and directs pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow when necessary. Disburses unruly crowds at public gatherings. Enforces vehicle operation and parking regulations; issues warning or notice of traffic infraction as appropriate.

Responds to emergency calls; determines the nature of a call, investigates the circumstances, and takes any necessary and prudent action. May call for assistance or superior officers if necessary.

Takes command at the scene of a crime or accident; administers first aid and requests medical service as necessary; takes statements and interviews victims and witnesses; examines situation; records vital information regarding causes and circumstances.

Performs on-site tests and interrogations of individuals suspected of intoxication. When further testing is warranted, escorts suspect to Department headquarters and conducts intoxilyzer analysis or other applicable tests. Prepares records and reports per departmental procedure.

As required, physically detains law violators or those who may be resisting arrest; activity may require physically subduing person(s), moving through heavy underbrush and trees, jumping fences, and climbing onto or into buildings. Activity may require using deadly force to protect self or others.

Conducts investigation assignments of suspected illegal activity or follow-up investigations of criminal cases. May also conduct specialized investigations. Conducts interviews of victims, witnesses and suspects. Collects and documents evidence and requests lab analysis as appropriate. Submits progress reports on cases under investigation. Attempts to link crime with others of a similar nature.

Performs stake-outs or undercover operations to obtain sufficient evidence to prosecute or identify participants perpetrating a crime.

Prepares all forms and reports necessary to file felony and/or misdemeanor charges. Prepares criminal cases for prosecution with either the City or County Prosecutor. Interacts with prosecutors, attorneys, and court officials; testifies in court as required.

Performs community liaison activities; educates the public about crime prevention. Provides general information on laws and ordinances; explains process of filing a formal complaint, the extent of police patrols, and alternatives available to citizens. Directs citizens to appropriate authorities as necessary.

Serves and enforces civil processes issued by the courts to include restraining orders, orders for protection, no contact orders, anti-harassment orders, and subpoenas. Serves arrest and search warrants.

Prepares and writes a variety of reports and records, such as reports on crimes, arrests, property impounded, accidents, offenses, damages to property, results of investigations, affidavits, search warrants and operations orders.

May use computer; telecommunications equipment.

High school diploma or equivalent, (for example, psychology, social service, customer service) that demonstrates desired knowledge, skills and abilities; OR Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work will be considered.

Here's a snapshot of just a few of our amazing benefits:

• City of Hillsboro pays police union employee's 6% PERS Pick-up;
• Seniority after twelve (12) continuous months of employment;
• Eighty (80) hour sick leave bank effective first day of employment with the City of Hillsboro. No additional leave will be granted to newly hired Lateral Officers until after their 10th month of employment at which time sick leave will be accrued at eight (8) hours per month;
• Lateral Officer shall accrue vacation using the accrual matrix set forth and is based on total years of previous experience as a full-time sworn police officer at another (or other) law enforcement agency (or agencies) plus time served at Hillsboro Police Department. To receive this benefit, the Officer must have at least three (3) consecutive years as a full-time sworn Police Officer.

Years of Service

• 6-60 months (1/2 – 5 years) 12 hours/month
• 61-120 months (5 – 10 years) 14 hours/month
• 121-180 months (10 – 15 years) 16 hours/month
• 181-240 months (15 – 20 years) 16.66 hours/month
• Over 240 months 18.33 hours/month

Beginning Salary: The City of Hillsboro has the discretion to offer lateral hires coming from law enforcement agencies within 50% or more of the population base of the City of Hillsboro, who have served at least three (3) years as a police officer immediately before being hired as a lateral hire police officer for the City of Hillsboro, the equivalent salary step as if they had worked for the City of Hillsboro for the same period of time as their previous law enforcement agency.

Hillsboro Police Department offers DPPST incentives: 8% to sworn officers who hold an advanced DPSST police officer certificate and who have attained Step C of the police Officer salary range and 4% to sworn officers who hold an intermediate DPSST police officer certificate and who attained Step C of the police officer salary range. Advanced and Intermediate incentives are not cumulative.

Hillsboro Police Department offers Bi-Lingual Pay: Employees who are qualified by the department as bi-lingual in English and Spanish or Japanese, American Sign Language or a language spoken by over ten percent (10%) of City residents as documented by the most recent U.S. Census will receive a monthly premium of five percent (5%) of their regular base pay.

Hillsboro Police Department offers Special Assignment Pay:

• Employees assigned as Motorcycle Officer, Crisis Negotiations Unit (CNU), Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), Remotely Operated Vehicle Team (ROVT), full-time Force and Tactic Instructors (FTI) and Field Training Officers (FTO), Canine Handlers, Youth Services Detectives, Community Violence Reduction Team (COVRT), Westside Interagency Narcotics Team (WIN) will receive pay differential of five percent (5%) of their base salary.
• Employees assigned to the Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART), Lead Bicycle Officer, will receive a pay differential of five percent (5%) for all hours worked while working in that capacity.
• Employees assigned to the Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT) will receive a pay different of five percent (5%) of their base salary. Upon completion of their probationary period on the Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT), employees will receive a pay differential of seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of their base salary.
• Employees assigned to the Detective Unit of the Investigations Section as a Detective shall receive a pay differential of seven and one half percent (7.5%) of their base salary.
• Employees in the bargaining unit shall accrue time off for holidays, at the rate of 9.33 hours per month, for a total of 112 hours per year.
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