Apply to be a Police Officer

Police Officer Hiring Process

Police Officer Entry-Level Candidates:

1. Take the written test and physical ability test with Public Safety Testing. Please visit their website for additional information regarding these tests and to schedule an appointment.

2. Complete an Entry Level Police Officer employment application.

3. You'll be placed on our Entry Level Police Officer Eligibility List, ranked by your written test score and any additional percentage allowed by law (e.g., Veterans Scoring Criteria).

4. Vacancies are filled by Civil Service "rule of three" with the top three candidates forwarded to the appointing authority for background investigation & selection as vacancies occur.

5. The Police Chief or designee will consider hiring candidates based on the results of a personal interview, a background investigation, and a polygraph examination. Other required examinations include a medical examination, a psychological examination, and other examinations or processes that may be deemed necessary.

Police Officer Lateral (experienced) Candidates:

An experienced Police Officer is a currently employed, full-time, civilian law enforcement officer with a city, county, or state law enforcement agency who is eligible to attend, or has successfully completed, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s (CJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA); or has previously worked in that capacity within the last 36 months, or whose prior training qualifies them to attend the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy.

1. Complete a Police Officer employment application.

2. You'll be placed on our Lateral Police Officer Eligibility List, ranked by your qualifications and work experience (determined by your answers to the questions on the application), and any additional percentage allowed by law (e.g., Veterans Scoring Criteria).

3. The Police Chief or designee will consider hiring candidates based on the results of a personal interview, a background investigation, and a polygraph examination. Other required examinations include a medical examination, a psychological examination, and other examinations or processes that may be deemed necessary.