Lateral Police Officer

About the role

This position is for certified law enforcement officers in Oregon or other states. If you are not a certified officer and interested in a position in law enforcement, please see our Recruit Police Officer recruitment.

The City of McMinnville is looking to hire a certified police officer(s). This position performs law enforcement and crime prevention work including discovery, investigation, report preparation, and patrol to enforce federal, state and local laws. This position oversees police program areas, which may require additional specialized training.

Lateral Officer Incentives

• DPSST-certified lateral hires with at least 37 months of experience are eligible for a $6,000 signing bonus, paid in three installments: $2,000 upon completion of field training, $2,000 after 12 months of service, and $2,000 after 30 months of satisfactory service.
• In addition, lateral hires receive a one-time incentive of 40 hours of sick leave and 40 hours of vacation leave.

About the Department

Mcminnville is a kind and caring community that places extraordinary levels of trust in its officers; we set the bar high for professionalism, accountability, and service via our 47 Police Department employees to our 35,000 residents and numerous food and wine tourists who visit the City. Our department's leadership team guides the four patrol squads, a special investigation division, and non-sworn employees in property & evidence and records to embody our values of excellence, service, integrity, dedication, and humility.

Follow the McMinnville Police Department on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get a sense of our department's culture and to learn more about our community.

About the City

Mcminnville is an easy-going, forward-thinking city nestled in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley. The American Planning Association has recognized our historic downtown as one of its prestigious Great Streets in America. McMinnville's central location means our nearly 35,000 residents aren't far from the scenic Oregon Coast, our state capitol, the metro area (professional sports, cultural, and other activities), and tremendous outdoor activities, such as the slopes of Mt. Hood. Home to world-class pinot noir and other varietals, McMinnville attracts winemakers and food and wine tourists from around the globe. Whether it's a glass of wine or a cup of coffee on our beloved Third Street or a bike ride through the Willamette Valley, there is always something fun to do in McMinnville.

There is an abundance of opportunities for families of all types in McMinnville. Our school district boasts an impressive high school graduation rate of over 90%, and there are plenty of nearby opportunities locally for higher education at Chemeketa Community College and Linfield University (one of our nation’s most respected small universities) or nearby George Fox University, Pacific University, Willamette University, and Western Oregon University. Childcare is available at a variety of privately managed daycare and preschool centers throughout the area, with local public school after school programs. Our city also offers plenty of senior services through Yamhill County, Northwest Senior & Disability Services, and our own McMinnville Senior Center.

To learn more about where we're going, check out our strategic plan, Mac-town 2032.

Essential Job Functions

• Patrol
• Patrols streets, businesses, and residential areas to enforce traffic and criminal laws. Issues warnings or citations for violations. Performs security checks for suspicious persons or vehicles.
• Responds to calls, including major crimes, civil complaints, thefts, assaults, family disputes, etc., and takes appropriate actions. Directs traffic at accident/crime scenes as necessary. Performs CPR/First Aid as necessary.
• Makes arrests, conducts searches, transports and releases prisoners.
• Performs community policing activities such as meeting with individuals and groups to discuss crime prevention techniques. Collaborates with citizens, businesses and other community resources to jointly solve crime and livability problems. Participates in public relations programs, which may include speaking to citizen and school groups, and public service efforts.
• Provides assistance and back up as requested.

• Investigations
• Maintains written records and prepares reports regarding investigations, which are reviewed by a supervisor and used for crime prevention, prosecution, and office activities. Testifies in court as necessary.
• Counsels case/incident investigations and related follow-up activities including gathering and preserving evidence, interviewing and taking statements from victims and witnesses, interrogating suspects, and preparing related reports and logs.
• Facilitates the release of appropriate information to other law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, the media and citizens in regard to on-going investigations, department policies, officer safety information, criminal activity, gang documentation, etc.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other agencies, and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.
• Participate in committees when requested.
• Maintain proficiency in job requirements which may include attending training and meetings, reading materials, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility, which may require travel.
• Maintain work areas in a clean and orderly manner.
• Maintain confidentiality, data integrity, and comply with all related city, state, and federal standards related to confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for the position of Lateral Police Officer:
• You must be a currently certified law enforcement officer in Oregon or another state.
• Immediate disqualification will happen if state certification status is in one of the following categories: previously revoked or in denial, currently suspended for any reason.
• Be a United States Citizen within 18 months of employment.
• Possess, at a minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Declared by a physician as able to perform the physical duties as required by the occupation.
• Of good moral fitness, without legal conduct involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, and a conviction of a sex crime, domestic violence and/or any felony crime.

Knowledge of:

• Laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances affecting City and Police Department policies and procedures.
• City government administration, organization, functions, and services.
• Practices, principles, procedures, regulations, and techniques used in police work, including rules of evidence, methods of investigation and apprehension, and others.
• Criminal behavior and causes underlying criminality; social, psychological, and physical needs of criminals.
• Safe and appropriate use of police vehicles and equipment, including firearms and other specialized tools.
• Safety practices, procedures, and precautions; basic first aid and CPR procedures.
• Techiques for providing a high level of customer service to the public.
• Communication principles, practices, and techniques.
• Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, and software applications.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters.
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Apply techniques, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and methods of crime prevention, investigation, apprehension, rules of evidence, and other aspects of law enforcement; read, understand, and explain complex laws, ordinances, plans, and orders.
• Observe and accurately recall places, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents.
• Analyze problems quickly; deal effectively with people under hostile and emergency situations; physically handle persons resisting arrest; perform effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Skilfully and safely use firearms and other police-related tools.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts.
• Operate police-related equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and body worn cameras.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; present information, proposals, recommendations, and evidence clearly and persuasively.
• Physically perform the essential job functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSES:

• Must be at least 21 years of age with no criminal record.
• Must meet the Department’s physical standards.
• Driver's license valid in the State of Oregon with an acceptable driving record.
• Attendance at the Police Academy and possession of DPSST Basic Law Enforcement Training after hire.

Preferred Certifications/Licenses/Training

• Previous college-level training or experience in law enforcement.
• Knowledge of community and surrounding areas.
• Previous training related to police equipment or operations, e.g., first aid, CPR, hazardous materials, firearms training, LEDS General level certification, etc.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English).

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This position is designated as an essential employee role, requiring the individual to be available and responsive during regular working hours as well as in the event of unexpected situations, emergencies, or critical operational needs. This may include working outside of regular hours, including weekends or holidays, based on business needs.
• The position requires some (40-60%) ability to use dexterity and fine motor skills. Occasional (21-50% of the time) use of office equipment. The position requires continuous (80+%) physical effort such as lifting, carrying, or movement, etc. Movements required to complete work require continuous speed, agility, hand eye coordination and equipment operation.