Police Officer LATERAL

Seattle Police Department Job Posting

The Seattle Police Department is looking to create a diverse team of hardworking, committed individuals with a passion for public service and who are deeply aligned with our City's values of Race and Social Justice. The City of Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender identity, political ideology, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Important items to note :

This exam is for experienced law enforcement officers only, who meet all of the criteria for lateral entry. If you are not currently certified as a law enforcement officer or do not have required law enforcement experience, please apply for entry-level police officer using this link.

The City of Seattle is offering a $50,000 hiring bonus for lateral police officers. Please see the Seattle Police Department website to learn more.

Speak with a recruiter : Complete this form and a recruiter will text you!

Attend an applicant workshop : Sign up here to participate in an upcoming Seattle Police Applicant Workshop to learn more about policing careers, the Seattle Police Department, and tips to navigate our hiring process!

Please read the entire job bulletin information carefully, as our testing process has changed.

Hiring process :

• Apply : All candidates must submit an application to the City of Seattle as soon as possible. To submit an application, click "Apply" at the top of this job bulletin. A resume and cover letter are not required.
• Register and complete two (2) exam components : The law enforcement exam components must be self-scheduled through the National Testing Network (NTN). Examinations are offered virtually or at physical locations across the United States, and the City of Seattle will pay for the exam. The required exam components include : Frontline National (Law Enforcement) Exam and Public Safety Self-Assessment (Parts 1 & 2).
• Lateral oral board : Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for lateral police officer and successfully pass all components of the NTN test listed above will be scheduled for an oral board interview, which will take place virtually via Microsoft Teams.
• Backgrounding : Candidates who pass the civil service exams above will receive a link via email from the Seattle Police Background Unit to fill out their personal history information. SPD will then conduct a thorough investigation into the candidate's history.
• Medical evaluation, psychological exam, and polygraph exam : Candidates must complete a medical evaluation that includes drug screening, medical history, vision and hearing test, and a stress EKG test. A psychological exam will be completed via Zoom. The medical tests can only be completed in person at specific Seattle locations currently.
• Final offer of employment : If the candidate completes and passes all the above steps, they will be given an official offer of employment with the Seattle Police Department.

Preference points :

The City of Seattle offers multiple forms of preference points. P reference points can only be applied to passing exam scores. Once you pass the exam, instructions for requesting preference points will be emailed along with your final exam results. All requests for preference points will be evaluated in accordance with Rules 9.17 - 9.21 of the City of Seattle's Public Safety Civil Service Commission.

The following preference points are available :

Please note that candidates must pass the WAPAT in addition to their civil service exams (Frontline National and PSSA) in order to be eligible for language or community service preference points.

Position description :

The Seattle Police Department is seeking individuals committed to understanding and protecting the ethical, cultural, and ethnic values of the City of Seattle and its residents as Police Officers. As first responders, Police Officers are vital to public safety and under regular supervision, perform basic police services in accordance with the mission, goals, and objectives of the City of Seattle Police Department and in compliance with governing federal, state, and local laws.

Job responsibilities :

Qualifications :

Eligibility standards :

Minimum employment standards :

Drug use : Prior to the exam : Have not used marijuana within twelve (12) months prior to taking civil service exam, and have not used cocaine or crack within the previous five (5) years, and have not used club drugs, such as, but not limited to : Ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, or MDMA (ecstasy) within the previous three (3) years, and have not used any hallucinogens, LSD, mushrooms, or psilocybin within the previous five (5) years, and have not used PCP, Angel Dust, Wet or Phencyclidine within the previous five (5) years, and have not used opium, morphine, or heroin within the previous five (5) years, and have not used methamphetamine, crank, crystal, ice, speed, glass, or amphetamine within the previous five (5) years, and have not inhaled aerosols, sometimes referred to as huffing (paint) or whippits (Nitrous Oxide) or used khat within the previous three (3) years, and have not used any illegal drugs while employed in a criminal justice and / or law enforcement capacity, and have not manufactured or cultivated illegal drugs for the purpose of the sales / marketing of the drug(s). Have not sold or facilitated the sale of illegal drugs.

Traffic record : A candidate's driving record will be thoroughly assessed and may be a factor for disqualification. Examples of infractions / traffic crimes that may be disqualifying : Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Reckless Driving, or Hit & Run Driving. Suspension of your driver's license within five (5) years of the exam date. Three (3) or more moving violations (speeding, negligent driving, etc.) within five (5) years of the exam date will be carefully reviewed. Two (2) or more accidents within five (5) years of the exam date, wherein candidate was judged to be at fault and / or charged with a moving violation.

Criminal history : A candidate's criminal history, including all arrests, prosecutions, deferred prosecutions, "Alford" pleas, and non-conviction information will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification. Any adult felony conviction. Any misdemeanor or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice and / or law enforcement capacity. Any domestic violence conviction.

Employment record : A candidate's employment history, including any terminations, or leaving an employer in lieu of