Police Officer (Entry Level)

Police Officer

The City of Port Orchard is seeking a Police Officer. The base pay range for this position is $41.98 - $51.95 per hour. The starting salary for an entry level officer is $41.98 per hour. The position is eligible for education, longevity and bilingual pay.

Education pay means 2% for an Associate Degree and 4% for a Bachelor's degree or higher. Longevity pay provides an increase of 0.25% each year the employee is employed with the City, starting on year 3. Bilingual pay means 2% for fluency in Spanish, Tagalog, Korean and / or American Sign Language.

More information about the requirements can be found in the union contract. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, retirement benefits, 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.

Major Function and Purpose

A Patrol Officer's primary purpose is to protect the lives, property, and rights of all members of the community. Officers will work to reduce crime, and the fear of crime, while remaining proactive and innovative in their approach to the enforcement of the law. Officers are expected to be team members with the community through transparency, accountability, and engagement.

General Function

Under general supervision from the Sergeant, the Patrol Officer will help to create, nurture, and maintain a community-oriented public safety department in alignment with the department's mission, vision, and values.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

This job description reflects general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. These listed duties and responsibilities in no way imply these are the only duties to be performed. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to :

• Respond to emergency and routine calls for service
• Apprehend violators or offenders of the law
• Tactically de-escalate any verbal attacks
• Operate a motor vehicle for extended periods of time
• Conduct patrols in a City vehicle, on foot, bicycle, marine vessel, and / or other conveyance
• Monitor and enforce traffic laws and safety ordinances
• Look for criminal or potential criminal behavior
• Investigate traffic collisions
• Provide first aid, CPR, or naloxone as needed
• Read, review, interpret, and serve court orders
• Conduct detailed investigations
• Prepare affidavits for search warrants
• Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas
• Record information related to daily patrol activities
• Maintain positive relationships
• Attend and actively participate in meetings
• Prep material to present at training sessions
• Obtain and maintain current certifications
• Assist in the coordination of multi-agency responses
• Conduct light preventative maintenance
• Reliable and regular attendance is required
• Other duties as assigned

Contacts and Relationships

A Patrol Officer will have daily contact with City employees, community members, and public safety partners.

Working Conditions

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, including in inclement or severe weather conditions. May have exposure to hazards such as chemicals, insect stings, temperature extremes, blood, and communicable disease. May encounter hostility or violence and may be subject to verbal and / or physical attack or assault, including gunfire. Tasks may require the employee to wear protective clothing or equipment. The Patrol Officer 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. Subpoenaed appearances in court to testify in the prosecution of persons charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses is a regular and ongoing occurrence, and such appearances may be required during a Patrol Officer's days off, or before or after a regularly scheduled work shift. In addition, the Officer may be contacted by supervisory personnel at their residence during off-duty hours for guidance and / or counseling.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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; and organization and planning. Ability to 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 both orally and in writing; 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; and 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.

Physical Requirements

The Patrol Officer will routinely encounter emergency situations that may require rapid evacuation of an area to avoid personal injury or to aid another and must therefore have the physical ability to walk and run. A Patrol Officer must also have the physical ability to engage in physical altercations and confrontations and to subdue or calm a combative individual, and to rescue victims. Will be required to operate a City patrol car safely and efficiently.

Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent is required. 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; and be legally permitted to possess a firearm in the State of Washington. Valid driver's license required upon hire. Out of state candidates are required to obtain a WA state driver's license in accordance with state law. Must be able to speak, read and write the English language and have the ability to read, understand and interpret ordinances, laws, and other operating procedures and to communicate orally and in writing. Must have the ability and willingness to maintain strict confidentiality. Must be capable of passing applicable civil service or City required employment testing, including, but not limited to : medical examination, which includes a drug screening; psychological examination; and polygraph or voice stress analyzer (VSA) examination (when legally permissible). Must be capable of satisfactorily completing prescribed courses of training at the academy and during in-service training progress, as required. A Patrol Officer shall serve a probationary period as established by the City of Port Orchard Civil Serve Rules and Regulations.