Lateral Police Officer

This recruitment is for anexperiencedlaw enforcement officer. To qualify for this recruitment you must have already:
(1) successfully completed an approved basic law enforcement academy and be eligible for lateral certification by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission without attending the state's full basic law enforcement academy;
(2) successfully completed a field training program with a previous law enforcement agency;
(3) been employed as a full-time sworn police officer for a minimum of eighteen (18) continuous months with a single agency; and
(4) not been out of full-time law enforcement service for longer than three (3) years at date of hire.

The base hourly pay range for this position is $45.59 - $51.95. Starting salary range is between $45.59 - $47.76 per hour based on years of experience.

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.

Below are some examples of the pay range for the position using these additional pays.

• Employee holding an Associate’s degree or receiving bi-lingual pay: $46.50- $52.99 per hour
• Employee holding a Bachelor’s degree: $47.41 - $54.03 per hour
• Employee completing a 47 year career with the City: $45.59 - $57.79 per hour (using 2025 numbers)
• Bilingual employee with a Bachelor’s degree, 47 years of longevity pay: $45.59- 60.91 per hour (using 2025 numbers)

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. HRA VEBA account is also provided. Retirement benefits are provided through LEOFF 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. More benefit details are available by clicking on the "Benefits" tab at the top of this job posting.

As of December 14, 2022, a Lateral Police Officer who has completed the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy, met all other criteria to be eligible for consideration as a Lateral Police Officer Candidate under the City of Port Orchard's Police Civil Service Rules, and been given an unconditional offer and accepted the position of Patrol officer with the Port Orchard Police Department, is eligible to receive a $10,000 recruitment incentive.

This will be paid on the first available paycheck after date of hire, as determined by Payroll. An additional $5,000, 40 hours of sick leave, and 40 hours of vacation leave may be received after successful completion or probation. For further details, contact Human Resources.

Oral board examinations are scheduled on as needed basis. The Chief of Police may fill vacancies from the entry level or lateral civil service lists.

The job description follows.


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.


Supervision Responsibilities

This is a non-supervisory position. However, a Patrol Officer may be assigned to serve as a Field Training Officer for a new officer or Police Reserve Officer.

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…