Entry Level Police Officer

About the role

The City of Sumner is seeking an experienced Police Officer to join their team. The position requires a minimum of 2 years of experience as a fully commissioned law officer, with no more than a 24-month break in service.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas of the City during an assigned shift to preserve law and order, prevent and discover the commission of crime, and enforce laws and regulations.
• Answer calls and complaints involving traffic accidents, domestic situations, robberies, and other misdemeanors, felonies, and disturbances.
• Take necessary police action, observe conditions conducive to crime and danger, check buildings for security, and interact with prosecutors, attorneys, and court officials.
• Prepare and submit reports, gather evidence, and perform crime scene work; conduct preliminary investigations and testify in court.
• Respond to emergency calls including hazardous waste spills, bomb threats, and various other incidents; take command at crime or accident scenes, administer first aid, and request medical aid.
• Provide non-emergency assistance to people in need, educate the public about crime prevention, and participate in community action programs.
• Serve and enforce civil process, transport persons in police custody, and prepare and write reports.

Requirements

Must hold a valid Washington State driver's license with a driving record free from serious or frequent violations. Must pass a background check.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Successful completion and graduation from the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
• Washington State Peace Officer Certification.
• At least 21 years of age.
• Must meet the minimum standards of strength, agility, and endurance as specified in the Cooper Test (or other approved tests).

Skills

Knowledge of federal, state, county, and city laws, regulations, and ordinances; criminal behavior and causes underlying criminality and social, psychological, and physical needs of criminals; standard police practices, methods, and procedures; safety standards, procedures, and precautions utilized in police activities; methods of investigation, apprehension, and rules of evidence; basic first aid and CPR procedures; safe and appropriate use of firearms and other police-related tools.

Benefits

Commensurate with experience.

Pay

2026 Pay Range: $45.61 - $58.36 per hour plus potential for education premiums.

Schedule

This position is a full-time, Fair Labor Standards Act position.

About Sumner

The City of Sumner’s vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city. It prioritizes and celebrates diverse perspectives, life experiences, and differences. Sumner remains a traditional city of just over 10,000 residents with agricultural roots, known for decades as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World. It is well-connected to the Puget Sound region while striving to be a full-service city with the largest YMCA facility in the state of Washington as well as a link trail system that will connect the Foothills and Interurban trails. The city government is large enough to be professional but small enough to be creative. The City has won a variety of awards from the Governor's Smart Planning Award to recognition at the International Association of Chiefs of Police for its groundbreaking police work on victims' assistance. With a strong mayor format, the City has just over 100 employees who operate a cemetery, wastewater treatment facility, accredited police department, parks, full service public works and administration.

About the Sumner Police Department

The Sumner Police Department has 21 commissioned officers which include: Police Chief, Deputy Chief, two Sergeants, two Detectives, one School Resource Officer, and the remaining Patrol Officers. Additional staff include four administrative support staff, one Evidence Custodian, and one Parking Enforcement Officer. The City contracts jail services with neighboring agencies and dispatch service is provided by South Sound 911. The City also provides contracted animal control services to six other cities and maintains a shelter in the city of Puyallup. The department participates in multi-agency teams for SWAT, Major Crimes, Civil Disturbance, Collision Investigations, and numerous traffic emphasis. We are guided by our principles of professionalism, integrity, teamwork, and commitment. The department has been state accredited since 2005. Our vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city police department.