Police Officer (BLEA Certified)

About the role

The City of Bellingham is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of certified Police Officer.

Responsibilities

• Patrols 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.
• Maintains 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.
• Participates 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.
• Administers immediate assistance to citizens in critical and/or emergency situations where the security of lives and/or property may be endangered.
• Secures and controls crime scenes and administers aid, may gather and/or supervise the collection of evidence and witness statements, and arrests or supervises the arrest(s) of suspects.
• Appears 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.
• Develops and maintains 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.
• Engages in specialized investigative assignments (e.g., Forensics, Drug/Gang Task Force etc.)
• Performs specialized assignments (e.g., Neighborhood Resource Officer, Behavioral Health Officer, Canine Unit, SWAT etc.)
• Works with other law enforcement agencies on special policing assignments and events and/or multi-jurisdiction emergencies as directed.
• Performs special operations work such as raids and searches as directed.

Requirements

• Successful completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy and active commission;
• 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/60 semester hours) of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university, OR High School Diploma or equivalent,
• AND Four 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)
• Bilingual proficiency highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy and active commission;
• 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/60 semester hours) of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university, OR High School Diploma or equivalent,
• AND Four 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)
• Bilingual proficiency highly desirable.

Skills

• Physical strength to restrain and control persons and physically defend self;
• Manual dexterity to operate a motor vehicle or handle tools and guns in the performance of assigned tasks, including keyboarding, grasping and reaching;
• Occasionally lift, push, carry and pull materials, objects or persons weighing up to 100 lbs using proper lifting techniques;
• Frequently sit, stand, walk, drive a vehicle or ride a bicycle;
• Occasionally run, jump, climb, balance, kneel, crawl or crouch;
• Frequently communicate verbally;
• Uncorrected vision in either eye of 20/100 or better, vision able to be corrected to 20/20 in better eye and 20/30 in lesser eye.

Benefits

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.

Pay

The 2026 salary range for a certified Police Officer is $7,956-$10,236/month.

Schedule

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

Training opportunities, the 1040 work schedule allows for one full training day a month.

Additional Monthly Premiums

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

Leave Accruals

• 7.34 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 216 hours of sick leave upon hire + accruals per collective bargaining agreement

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families.

Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Coverage

Life insurance and long-term disability coverage.

Flexible Spending Accounts and Medical Insurance Opt-Out Program

Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Washington State Retirement Plan (LEOFF)

Retirement security.

Optional 457 Deferred Compensation (Retirement Savings Plan)

with employer match.

Driving Requirements

• A 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.

Age Requirement

Must be at least 21 years old.

Residency Requirement

Washington State residency by time of hire.

Workplace Policies

• 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.

Application Process

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

Medical Evaluation

Subject to re-check every five years.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

Positive test results will exclude an applicant from being hired.

Physical Standards

• Physical strength to restrain and control persons and physically defend self;
• Manual dexterity to operate a motor vehicle or handle tools and guns in the performance of assigned tasks, including keyboarding, grasping and reaching;
• Occasionally lift, push, carry and pull materials, objects or persons weighing up to 100 lbs using proper lifting techniques;
• Frequently sit, stand, walk, drive a vehicle or ride a bicycle;
• Occasionally run, jump, climb, balance, kneel, crawl or crouch;
• Frequently communicate verbally;
• Uncorrected vision in either eye of 20/100 or better, vision able to be corrected to 20/20 in better eye and 20/30 in lesser eye.