Police Officer (Entry Level)

About the role

The City of Port Orchard employs Public Safety Testing to administer entry-level written and physical agility examinations. Applicants must register at PublicSafetyTesting.com to apply. There is a fee associated with taking the exam. Successful completion of the written and physical agility tests will lead to further instructions from the City of Port Orchard.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency and routine calls for service
• Apprehend violators or offenders of the law; use justifiable levels of force if necessary
• Tactically de-escalate verbal attacks and endure verbal and mental assault
• Operate a motor vehicle for extended periods in various conditions
• Conduct patrols in a variety of modes (vehicle, on foot, bicycle, marine vessel)
• Maintain a visible presence to ensure public safety
• Enforce traffic laws and safety ordinances; issue infractions as appropriate
• Investigate criminal and potential criminal behavior; prepare detailed investigative reports
• Provide first aid, CPR, or naloxone as needed
• Read, review, interpret, and serve court orders; serve search and arrest warrants
• Prepare affidavits for search warrants; interview witnesses and suspects; develop and use informants
• Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas
• Record information related to daily patrol activities and prepare reports
• Attend and participate in meetings, training courses, and seminars
• Assist in coordinating multi-agency responses to criminal activity, community outreach events, and training with other City departments
• Conduct light preventative maintenance on departmental equipment
• Communicate effectively with coworkers, superiors, and community members
• Deal with violations of rules, policies, and procedures on an impartial basis
• Operate a variety of police-related equipment

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• A citizen of the United States of America, a lawful permanent resident, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient
• Legally permitted to possess a firearm in the State of Washington
• Valid driver's license required upon hire
• Out of state candidates must obtain a WA state driver's license in accordance with state law
• Ability to speak, read, and write the English language
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Pass applicable civil service or City required employment testing, including medical examination, psychological examination, and polygraph or voice stress analyzer (VSA) examination (when legally permissible)
• Complete prescribed courses of training at the academy and during in-service training

Qualifications

• Knowledge of City ordinances and applicable state and federal laws and WAC rules
• Department policy and procedures
• Modern law enforcement methods and procedures
• Principles of criminal and collision investigations
• Basic techniques for crime prevention and criminal investigations
• Laws of arrest and search and seizure including legal ramifications of actions taken
• Identification and preservation of evidence
• Criminal behavior and causes of underlying criminality, and social, psychological, and physical needs of suspects and community members experiencing behavior health issues or substance use disorders
• Geography and street locations
• First aid principles and application
• Organization and planning

Skills

• Use and care for firearms
• Operate a police vehicle and other law enforcement equipment
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships
• Analyze dangerous situations rapidly and accurately
• Maintain control in stressful, hostile, and hazardous situations
• Enforce all applicable laws
• Prepare clear and concise reports
• Act without supervision and exercise independent judgment
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Communicate effectively in English with coworkers, superiors, and community members
• Interact effectively with individuals, groups, and organizations representing a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, opinions, and beliefs
• Cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully, with respect for the rights of others
• Adhere to a high standard of personal and professional ethics
• Effectively deal with violations of rules, policies, and procedures on an impartial basis
• Maintain standards of physical fitness
• Recognize when the application of deadly force is appropriate under state law and department policy
• Employ deadly force to protect human life
• Operate a motor vehicle, computer/keyboards, BASC verification machines, telephones, police radios, mobile computer terminals, digital recorders, body worn cameras, firearms and weapons platforms, handcuffs, and other police related equipment

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• HRA VEBA account
• Retirement benefits through LEOFF and optional Deferred Compensation
• Holiday leave bank in lieu of holidays, vacation leave, and sick leave in accordance with the union contract
• $750 clothing allowance for those certified fluent in Spanish, Tagalog, Korean, or American Sign Language

Pay

The base pay range for this position is $43.66 - $54.03 per hour. The starting salary for an entry-level officer is $43.66 per hour. The base pay range for this position is $43.66 - $54.03. It is the City's practice to start employees at the lower end of the salary range. This position is eligible for education pay. The pay range for an employee holding an Associate's is $44.53 - $55.11 and for an employee holding a Bachelor's is $45.41 - $56.19. This position is eligible for bilingual pay for employees certified fluent in Spanish, Tagalog, Korean, or American Sign Language. The pay range for the bilingual premium is $44.53 - $55.11. This position is also eligible for longevity pay, with an increase of 0.25% each year the employee is employed with the City, starting on year 3. An employee completing a 32-year career with the City would expect to make $58.35 in the last year of employment based on 2026 numbers, for a salary range of $43.66 - $58.35. Taking these numbers into account, the salary for this position could ultimately range between $43.66 - $61.59 based on the 2026 pay scale, with the upper pay appropriate for a bilingual employee holding a Bachelor's with 32 years of longevity pay.

Schedule

This position is subject to shift rotation according to established procedures and may be required to work overtime as the need arises and/or to attend meetings during other than normal work hours and/or be called back to work before or after regularly scheduled work hours or on scheduled days off. Will be required to work Saturdays, Sundays, holidays.

Benefits

More benefit details are available by clicking on the "Benefits" tab at the top of this job posting. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. HRA VEBA account is also provided. Retirement benefits are provided through LEOFF and optional Deferred Compensation. Employees receive a holiday leave bank in lieu of holidays, vacation leave and sick leave in accordance with the union contract. In accordance with the Guild CBA, a $750 clothing allowance is also provided.