Police Officer - Entry Level

About the role

Renton Police Department seeks to hire a Patrol Officer to join our team. This position involves protecting life and property, enforcing laws and ordinances, preventing and investigating crimes, and maintaining order.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to an environment of respect and teamwork.
• Foster a culture of equity and inclusion by recognizing diverse needs and perspectives.
• Respond to emergency and routine dispatched calls as directed.
• Patrol the City on an assigned shift in a police vehicle, on a motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot.
• Patrol business and residential districts occasionally on foot to provide an element of safety by obvious visibility.
• Look for crimes or potential crimes in progress.
• Answer 911 calls and complaints involving criminal and non-criminal activities.
• Administer emergency first aid to injured or incapacitated persons as required.
• Stop traffic violators, identify suspicious individuals, and take appropriate lawful action.
• Apprehend violators or offenders of the law, sometimes involving a substantial element of personal danger and lawful, reasonable use of physical force.
• Utilize and maintain a variety of specialized equipment such as firearms, police vehicles, radios, batons, handcuffs, pepper spray, Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) breath testing equipment and others according to established procedures.
• Maintain a high standard of physical fitness.
• Determine when a lawful search or arrest can or should be attempted; determine when physical force should be used on an individual and the extent of such force as governed by state law or department policy.
• Develop knowledge about known offenders and correlate reported offenses; recover lost or stolen property; prepare affidavits and search warrants; interview witnesses and suspects; use informants and other investigative aids.
• Appear in court to present evidence and to testify against persons accused of crimes.
• Write police and other related reports.
• Provide assistance and direct citizens to appropriate resources as necessary.
• Take direction from a police supervisor.
• Participate in community engagement activities including attend community events and meetings and conduct business checks.
• Participate in training programs as required.
• Remain current with legislation, court rulings, department policy, and relevant technological advancements as it relates to assignment.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Perform related work as required.

Requirements

• High school degree or a GED.
• Not less than 21 years of age at the time of examination.
• Ability to read and write the English language.
• Lawful permanent resident or US citizen.
• Ability to pass entrance examination successfully and meet the minimum medical and health standards adopted by the Civil Service Commission.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license by date of hire.

Qualifications

• Commitment to racial, social and economic equity issues and working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Knowledge of adult and juvenile judicial procedures and the criminal justice system and laws of arrest, search, and seizure.
• Techniques of investigation and interrogation.
• Criminal case preparation and procedures.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Maintain control in stressful and hazardous situations.
• Enforce all applicable laws with professionalism and respect.
• Determine level and scope of police response.
• Make rapid and accurate decisions under stressful conditions.
• Communicate effectively.
• Customer service focus.
• Positive interactions with all individuals.
• Build collaborative relationships.
• Anticipate problems and develop contingency plans.
• Show initiative while performing job tasks.
• Remain flexible to changing priorities.
• Determine priorities and take prompt action.
• Meet deadlines and respond timely to achieve common goals.
• Be receptive to the attitudes, feelings or circumstances of others and aware of influence of one’s own behavior on them.
• Work effectively with others to achieve common goals.
• Social awareness.
• Make difficult decisions in a timely manner.
• Conflict-resolution skills.
• City ordinances, applicable federal and state laws, WAC rules and department policies.
• Knowledge of geography and street locations.
• Knowledge of department’s policies and procedures.

Physical Demands

• Drive and perform field work.
• Work in dangerous or emergency circumstances requiring vigorous physical activity and exertion.
• Lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds on occasion.
• Lift heavy objects in awkward and confined spaces, using proper lifting and rigging techniques.
• Climb and work from ladders, climb stairs, ability to navigate a variety of different terrains.
• Run, jog, or walk for extended periods of time.
• Bend, stretch, sit, and stand for extended periods.