Experienced​/Lateral Police Officer

Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike!

2026 BASE SALARY (depending on experience):

$97,296.00- $ annually

$8,108.00- $10,553.00 monthly

• City contributes 3% of base salary (based on the top step of Police Officer's annual base pay) towards deferred compensation plan.
• City contributes 1% of base salary for Body Worn Camera
• City contributes 1% of base salary for Accreditation
• Education Premium of 4% for an Associate Degree or 6% for a Bachelor's Degree

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link:
Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

Additional information may also be found in both the Teamsters Sergeants and Officers labor agreement (Human Resources | City of Kent (kentwa.gov) and at Lateral Police Officer Careers ()

GENERAL PURPOSE

Positions in this class are responsible for general duty police work involving the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, prevention and investigation of crimes, and maintenance of order within a designated area on an assigned shift, in patrol car, motorcycle, bicycle other conveyance for which training has been received, or on foot. Work is performed according to departmental regulations and procedures, duty assignments, general and special instructions are received from supervisors who review work by personal inspection, checking of reports, and general appraisal of the effectiveness of the employee and adherence to established policies.

REPORTS TO:

Police Sergeant

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responds to emergency and routine calls for service.
• Performs computer inquiries from the patrol vehicle and stationary terminals.
• Documents, thoroughly and clearly, incidents and actions by writing case reports, field interview cards, maintaining daily logs and preparing other related reports.
• Patrols designated area of city in police vehicle, on foot patrol, bicycle patrol and/or other conveyances on an assigned shift; patrols business and residential districts to provide an element of safety by obvious visibility; looking for crimes or potential crimes in progress.
• Acts as primary investigator of all crimes occurring within assigned areas during duty hours. Makes on scene arrests when warranted. Uses varying degrees of physical force to overcome resisting suspects and to protect himself/herself and others from injury.
• Pursues fleeing suspects on foot and in vehicles. Performs rescue and pursuit operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting patrol vehicles; climbing over and pulling oneself up over obstacles; jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches and streams; and using physical force to gain entry through barriers.
• Takes immediate action to remedy hazards and protect life and property. Must be physically able to hear conversations, instructions and common warnings. Must have adequate vision to effectively perform these functions in hours of darkness or low light.
• Investigates and/or handles complaints involving family disputes, juveniles disputes, mentally disabled persons; provides first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons.
• Must be prepared and capable of physical exertion to protect themselves and provide immediate life saving measures to others.
• Stops traffic violators and takes appropriate remedial action; identifies suspicious individuals and questions their activities. Apprehends violators or offenders of the law, sometimes involving a substantial element of personal danger. In instances where lawful arrests are resisted the officer must be prepared and able at times through high levels of physical exertion to protect citizens, themselves, fellow officers and overcome the resistance.
• Attempts to tactfully diffuse any verbal or physical abuse which may occur in the course of performing work assignments. Endures verbal and mental abuse when confronted with the hostile views and opinions of suspects and others encountered in an antagonistic environment.
• Communicates effectively in court and other formal settings.
• Searches for lost or wanted persons over varying terrain and conditions for extended periods of time.
• Performs searches of people, vehicles, buildings and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.
• Determines when a lawful search or arrest can or should be attempted; determines when and to what extent physical force should be use, as governed bylaw and department regulations. Must be able to recognize when the application of deadly force is appropriate under state law and department policy. Must have the mental and physical capabilities to employ deadly force in order to protect human life.
• Physically directs traffic when required. Investigates traffic accidents in various weather and traffic conditions. Places temporary traffic control…