Certified Peace Officer

This recruitment is for a certified law enforcement officer. To qualify for this recruitment you must:

• possess a current valid Peace Officer Certification from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission,
• been employed as a full-time sworn police officer within the last 24 months prior to date of hire; and
• not be qualified to apply as a Lateral Officer.

The base hourly pay range for this position is $43.66 - $54.03. Starting salary range is between $43.66 - $49.68 per hour.

The advertised pay range is the full range for a police officer. Certified police officers may be placed up to Step 4 (of
5) in recognition of previous work experience on a year-to-year basis, with subsequent step(s) occurring ever 12 months thereafter.

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: $44.49- $52.99 per hour
• Employee holding a Bachelor’s degree: $45.36 - $54.03 per hour
• Employee completing a 32 year career with the City: $43.62 - $56.11 per hour (using 2025 numbers)
• Bilingual employee with a Bachelor’s degree, 47 years of longevity pay: $43.62- 60.91 per hour (using 2025 numbers)

A Certified Police Officer who has completed the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy and met all other criteria to be eligible for consideration as a Certified 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.

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. In accordance with the Guild CBA, a $750 clothing allowance is also provided. More benefit details are available by clicking on the "Benefits" tab at the top of this job posting.

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

The job description follows.

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.

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.

This is a non-supervisory position. However, a Patrol Officer may be…