Police Officer - Exceptional Entry Level

Police Officer

The Richland Police Department is seeking exceptional entry level police officer applicants. If you are currently a sworn police officer who works full-time for another police agency, or have completed the basic law enforcement academy (BLEA) through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) or equivalent out of state academy approved by CJTC, but have worked there less than 24 months, you may be considered as an exceptional entry level police officer candidate.

Under the direction of a police sergeant or designee, performs police protection and other services to safeguard the lives, property and constitutional rights of the citizens of Richland; responds to crime and accident scenes, emergency situations and other requests for assistance; detects, apprehends and arrest criminals; enforces the laws and ordinances of the city and performs a variety of specialized duties as assigned. Subject to 12-hour shifts, callback, standby and overtime as required.

Incumbents in this class are allocated to one or more specialized full-time assignments on a rotational basis (DOQ). Each optional assignment within this classification is compensated in accordance with collective bargaining agreements recognizing difficulty and responsibility of each assignment.

Minimum qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Submit an online application, and attach a current resume and updated personal history statement (PHS) in PDF format. Please click here to access the PHS.
• Be a current full-time sworn police officer who works for another agency, and have worked less than two (2) continuous years (with no break in service for more than 24 months if not currently employed as a police officer).
• Applicants must be certified via attendance of the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) through the CJTC, or an equivalent academy approved by CJTC*, within two (2) years of submitting application (military, corrections, federal and reserve officer training, along with any other training not approved by CJTC, is not accepted).
• Valid Washington State driver's license upon hire date (out of state applicants must obtain within two months).
• All candidates must have a current police officer certification or equivalent (decertification in any state could be cause for disqualification).
• Twenty-one (21) years of age at time of application.
• U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or a deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient.
• Satisfactorily complete field training provided by the Richland Police Department, in which methods, procedures and techniques of law enforcement work are presented by field training officers, before completion of probationary period.

*Equivalency standards for out of state academies are subject to review by CJTC on a case-by-case basis. Candidates determined by CJTC to not be equivalent may be subject to attending BLEA in Washington State. Please review the hiring standards brochure for further details on hiring standards, to include temporary or permanent disqualifiers.

Desirable qualifications:

• AA or BA degree in police science, law, criminal justice or related field preferred.
• Completion of basic training academy, and previously sworn officer experience as a commissioned law enforcement officer in Washington state.
• Bi-lingual a plus.

Working conditions:

• Typically performed in the field, which requires travel daily of Richland City streets.
• The position involves work outdoors on a year round basis and is subject to extreme weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate, depending on whether in the office and/or in the field.
• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles within an accident site.
• May be exposed to verbal abuse and violence in the line of duty.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies/procedures and state laws.

Physical demands:

• Operate a motorized vehicle which includes driving in inclement weather conditions, including high speed chases.
• Operate standard equipment for assigned tasks.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, lift, reach with arms and hands, kneel, crouch, crawl and stretch, the ability to climb or balance.
• Ability to lift, push, carry and pull materials, objects or persons weighing up to 100 lbs. on occasion using the assistance of others and proper lifting techniques.
• Ability to run, jump, climb fences, fight and shoot in stressful situations.
• Physical strength to restrain and control persons and physically defend self.
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to handle or operated objects, controls, tools or guns in the performance of assigned tasks, to include repetitive keyboarding, grasping, and reaching to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and/or standard office equipment.
• Corrected vision for closeness, distance, color, peripheral and depth perception, with the ability to adjust focus, and to read print and a computer screen.
• Hear and speak to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.

Selection guidelines:

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job classification description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Richland and employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.

Final selection will be based on overall qualifications and the testing process (oral board interview and presentation exercise).

If selected, the final candidate(s) will be required to complete and pass a comprehensive integrity interview, background/reference check (includes site visit), polygraph, fingerprinting, pre-employment physical, and psychological exam.