Lateral Police Officer

About the role

The Bellingham Police Department is seeking experienced law enforcement officers to join our team.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

• Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community.
• We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration.
• If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

Patrol Officers work a 1040 work schedule of five, 10.7 hour days on, four days off, five days on, four days off, five days on, five days off, repeating monthly.

Training opportunities, the 1040 work schedule allows for one full training day a month. Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education.

Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Police Guild (Police Officers) Collective Bargaining Unit and City policy.

Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life.

Requirements

Lateral officers receive advanced salary placement and vacation accrual based on completed years of service – capped at 10 years of service.

2026 Salary Range: $7,956/mo - $10,236/mo

Patrol Officers patrol a designated area of City on foot, bicycle, or in an automobile, motorcycle or small watercraft to investigate, deter and/or discover possible violations of criminal and vehicle (and/or boating) traffic laws, codes and/or ordinances.

Patrol Officers maintain radio contact with the dispatch center. Responds to calls, complaints or reports of the actual, possible or potential occurrence of specific criminal activity and takes appropriate action.

Patrol Officers participate in community policing activities: gains familiarity with individuals, groups, businesses and special issues of assigned community; meets with and makes presentations to community groups; assists in neighborhood problem-solving projects; and sponsors public education programs and activities.

Patrol Officers administer immediate assistance to citizens in critical and/or emergency situations where the security of lives and/or property may be endangered.

Patrol Officers secure and control crime scenes and administer aid, may gather and/or supervise the collection of evidence and witness statements, and arrests or supervises the arrest(s) of suspects.

Patrol Officers appear in court to present evidence and testify against persons accused of crime; maintains or supervises surveillance over suspected criminals; arranges and/or participates in the return of fugitives from other cities or from outside the state.

Patrol Officers develop and maintain required skills through participation in intermediate or advanced training classes in law enforcement methodology, first aid, regular or special weapons/tactics and procedures and related subjects.

Qualifications

Successful completion of WSCJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy; OR Successful completion of an approved law enforcement training academy and ability to meet standards prescribed by WSCJTC for eligibility and successful completion of Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy; AND Associate degree or two years (90 quarter hours/60 semester hours) of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university; OR High School Diploma or equivalent, ANDFour years of active military service with honorable discharge (four years of military service may be substituted for two years of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university) AND Two years (Twenty-four months) of full-time paid duty as a sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction providing general law enforcement services, and be in said position at the time of application, or retain active commission. OR Four years of full-time paid duty as a sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction providing general law enforcement services and be in said position at the time of application, or retain active commission (two additional years of experience may substitute for two years of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university).

Bilingual proficiency highly desirable.

Skills

Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, background investigation, polygraph examination and fingerprinting. Subject to re-check every five years.

Employment contingent upon passing a psychological and general medical evaluation.

Employment contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test. (This position is considered a safety sensitive position; therefore, the pre-employment drug test includes testing for cannabis. Positive test results will exclude an applicant from being hired).

Necessary Special Requirements

Lateral applicants currently employed and meeting physical standards as police officers in another jurisdiction are accepted as able to meet the physical requirements of the job.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, Red Cross certification for Infant/Child and Adult CPR and Standard First Aid.

Valid Washington State driver's license or ability to obtain within 30 days of Washington State residency and good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire, with periodic submission of driving abstract per City policy.

Attainment of the age of 21 years.

No record of felony convictions.

Misdemeanor convictions will also be reviewed. A misdemeanor conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant but offenses, by their nature and recentness, may reveal a lack of specific qualifications for this position.

Note: A standard 12-month Civil Service probationary period applies for all officers following placement into the Full Performance Police Officer classification.