Entry Level Police Officer

Police Officer

City of Sumner

$88,566.40 - $113,318.40 Annually

Sumner Police Department, WA

Full-Time Permanent

Police Department

Continuous

The City of Sumner's vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city. In working to achieve that vision, Sumner prioritizes and celebrates diverse perspectives, life experiences and differences. The City actively seeks and encourages people with diverse backgrounds and characteristics to apply and all come together with a goal of continuing to learn and improve to better serve the residents, businesses and visitors of our community. Sumner remains a traditional city of just over 10,000 residents with agricultural roots, known for decades as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World. At the same time, its compact, walkable layout aligns perfectly with progressive planning trends, as its classic Main Street becomes repurposed for boutiques, independent restaurants and daily services such as legal offices, financial advisors and doctors. While Sumner retains historic neighborhoods of Craftsman houses and an active high school right on Main Street, it also offers over 10,000 manufacturing and distribution jobs for companies such as REI, Keurig Green Mountain, Amazon.com, and Dillanos Coffee Roasters. With a downtown Sound Transit station with buses and trains, it is well connected to the Puget Sound region while striving to be a full service city with the largest YMCA facility in the state of Washington as well as a link trail system that will connect the Foothills and Interurban trails. Like the community, the city government is large enough to be professional but small enough to be creative. The City has won a variety of awards from the Governor's Smart Planning Award to recognition at the International Association of Chiefs of Police for its groundbreaking police work on victims' assistance. With a strong mayor format, the City has just over 100 employees who operate a cemetery, wastewater treatment facility, accredited police department, parks, full service public works and administration.

The Sumner Police Department has 21 commissioned officers which include : Police Chief, Deputy Chief, two Sergeants, two Detectives, one School Resource Officer, and the remaining Patrol Officers. Additional staff include four administrative support staff, one Evidence Custodian, and one Parking Enforcement Officer.

The City contracts jail services with neighboring agencies and dispatch service is provided by South Sound 911. The City also provides contracted animal control services to six other cities and maintains a shelter in the city of Puyallup. The department participates in multi-agency teams for SWAT, Major Crimes, Civil Disturbance, Collision Investigations, and numerous traffic emphasis.

We are guided by our principles of professionalism, integrity, teamwork, and commitment. The department has been state accredited since 2005. Our vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city police department. The general purpose of this position is to perform a variety of duties related to the suppression and prevention of crime, the protection on life and property and the preservation of the public peace; responsible for the enforcement of laws and for giving aid and information to citizens in the community. This position reports to the Police Sergeants. Supervision responsibilities include supervising the community and ensuring that laws and regulations are being followed.

Primary responsibilities include patrolling designated areas of the City, answering calls and complaints involving traffic accidents, domestic situations, robberies, and other misdemeanors, disturbances, and felonies; observing, reporting, and acting on conditions conducive to crime and danger; checking buildings for security; observing residences, schools, sports fields, banks, and vacant areas; checking suspicious persons and vehicles; issuing infractions and citations, making arrests, transporting persons taken into custody, or taking other action as appropriate under the circumstances; preparing all forms, reports, and follow-up reports necessary to file felony and / or misdemeanor charges; preparing criminal cases for prosecution with either the City or County Prosecutor; interacting with prosecutors, attorneys, and court officials; testifying in court as required; conducting preliminary investigations at the scenes of crimes and accidents; gathering evidence; locating and questioning witnesses; testifying as a witness in court; patrolling an area of the City as directed in a patrol vehicle, bicycle, or on foot; interviewing witnesses and / or complaints; collecting material evidence and performing crime scene work; performing surveillance; apprehending, interviewing, and arresting suspects; preparing and submitting reports; assisting other jurisdictions and agencies; participating in undercover investigation of narcotics, gambling, vice, and other activities, violations and crimes; conducting investigation assignments of suspected illegal activity or follow-up investigations of criminal cases; collecting and documenting evidence and requesting lab analysis as appropriate; reporting traffic hazards and directing pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow when necessary or directed; disbursing unruly crowds; enforcing vehicle operation and parking regulations; issuing warnings, notices of infraction, or citations as appropriate; responding to emergency calls including hazardous waste spills, bomb threats, and a wide variety of other calls; determining the nature of a call, investigating the circumstances, and taking any necessary and prudent action; taking command at scene of crime or accident; administering first aid and requesting medical aid as necessary; taking statements and interviewing victims and witnesses; examining situation; recording vital information regarding causes and circumstances; performing community liaison activities; educating the public about crime prevention; providing general information on law and ordinances; explaining process of filing a formal complaint, the extent of police patrols, and alternatives available to citizens; directing citizens to appropriate authorities as necessary; participating in crime prevention and other community action programs to promote citizen awareness and education; providing or assisting in other functions related to the duties and functions of Police Officer, such as drug awareness education, training management, crime prevention, scouting programs, etc; serving and enforcing civil process issued by the courts to include restraining orders, orders for protection, no contact order, anti-harassment orders, and subpoenas; serving arrest and search warrants and transporting persons in police custody; preparing and writing a variety of reports and records, such as, but not limited to, reports on incident or arrest, calls for service, property impoundment, accidents, offenses, damages to property, field interviews, and results of investigations; attending meetings, seminars, and other training classes to maintain current up-to-date knowledge of criminal and civil laws, as well as technical skills in order to remain proficient in the performance of duty; assuring that all equipment used in the performance of duty is clean, maintained, and operating properly; maintaining working relationships with surrounding police departments, Sheriff's Department, State Patrol, and relevant community service agencies to assure an accurate and timely flow of information as related to day-to-day duties and activities; training new personnel in geographical and cultural characteristics of the city and the general methods and procedures to use in the proper execution of police officer duties; and providing non-emergency assistance to people in need.

Desired minimum qualifications include education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade, successful completion and graduation from the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy, obtaining and maintaining Washington State Peace Officer Certification, being at least 21 years of age, holding a valid Washington State driver's license with a driving record free from serious or frequent violations, passing a background check, and attaining successful completion of training requirements prescribed by the Department. Necessary knowledge includes federal, state, county, and city laws, regulations, and ordinances; criminal behavior and causes underlying criminality and social, psychological, and physical needs of criminals; standard police practices, methods, and procedures; safety standards, procedures, and precautions utilized in police activities; methods of investigation, apprehension, and rules of evidence; basic first aid and CPR procedures; and safe and appropriate use of firearms and other police-related tools. Necessary abilities include applying principles and techniques of modern crime prevention, investigation, apprehension, rules of evidence, and all other aspects of law enforcement; physically handling persons resisting arrest; meeting the minimum standards of strength, agility, and endurance as specified in the Cooper Test (or other approved test) conducted by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission; dealing with the public in a tactful, pleasant, and courteous manner; following directions, both oral and written; maintaining composure under adverse conditions such as public harassment, critical injuries, and death; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, other organizations, and the general public; analyzing situations quickly and objectively, to recognize actual and potential dangerous situations, and to determine a proper course of action; presenting evidence in court effectively; skill in observation and remembering details such as names, faces, and incidents; physically meeting the physical demands and performing the essential functions of the position of a police officer; skillfully and safely using firearms and other police-related tools, including operation of a motor vehicle; contributing to the Department's Mission; and communicating effectively, both in speaking and writing English.

The City of Sumner provides full time, permanent employees with excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and LEOFF plan for Police; advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.