What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Officer Recruit position at City of Bellingham, WA?

Salary : $6,477.00 Monthly

Location : City of Bellingham, WA

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 25-Police Officer Recruit

Department : Police Department

Opening Date : 01 / 02 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 28 / 2025 4 : 30 PM Pacific

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit : Guild

Nature of Work

The City of Bellingham is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer Recruit.

Why work for the Bellingham Police Department?

Recruit salary is $6,477 / month. Upon entry to the Basic Law Enforcement Academy salary is $7,125 / month. Upon graduation from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy the salary is $7,339. The salary range for a Full Performance Police Officer is $7,339-$9,441 / month.
Patrol Officers work a 1040 work schedule of five, 10.7 hour days on, four days off, five days on, four days off, five days on, five days off, repeating monthly.
Training opportunities, the 1040 work schedule allows for one full training day a month.
Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education. For more information regarding salary, benefits, specialty units and premiums, view our recruitment page .

NOTE : Employees will remain in the Recruit classification in probationary status prior to and while attending the Police Academy. With successful completion of the Police Academy, the employee shall move to the Full Performance Police Officer classification in a non-competitive promotion effective the first day of the pay period immediately following such academy completion. A standard 12-month Civil Service probationary period applies for all officers following placement into the Full Performance Police Officer classification.

Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the and City policy. Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can and

7.34 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time

12 paid designated holidays 1 floating holiday per year

216 hours of sick leave upon hire accruals per collective bargaining agreement

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families

Life insurance and long-term disability coverage

Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program

Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Washington State Retirement plan (LEOFF) for retirement security

Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours / month.

Applicants interested in this position must complete testing through Public Safety Testing. The testing window for this process is 1 / 1 / 25 - 2 / 28 / 25. Please visit the Public Safety Testing website ( ). Applicants must complete the written exam and pass the physical ability test through Public Safety Testing prior to being invited to apply.

Closing Date / Time : Fri. 2 / 28 / 25, 4 : 30 PM PST

JOB SUMMARY :

Participates in formal and on-the-job training in law enforcement principles, techniques and procedures, departmental organization, rules, policies, and related laws. Also receives training in the use, care and maintenance of assigned equipment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Attends a 720 hour Basic Law Enforcement Academy, which will provide classroom and field instruction in basic police procedures, techniques and laws.

Participates in on-the-job training under the direct supervision of an experienced training officer. Observes and assists experienced officers responding to calls and requests for police assistance.

May assist in conducting investigations and participate in legal search and surveillance activities.Participates in range training as assigned.

Attends meetings and prepares reports as assigned.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED :

Performs related duties as directed.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT :

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in any and all property existing in the City of Bellingham and its environs. This involves working in a variety of environmental conditions and may require : walking, sitting or standing for long periods; running, climbing, jumping, or physical exertion in inclement weather; physical agility in slippery conditions, mountainous or uneven terrain, or in water. Officers work in unaccompanied automobile, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot patrol, maintaining contact with the dispatch center. There is exposure to high-risk situations which require emergency response procedures such as the use of masks, gloves, etc. to prevent contact with infectious diseases; and the use of protective clothing, equipment, firearms and other gear. While in uniform and / or driving a police vehicle, the Police Officer will not be allowed to use or display any tobacco product. Officers work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Physical abilities to perform the essential functions of the job including :

Physical strength to restrain and control persons and physically defend self;

Manual dexterity to operate a motor vehicle or handle tools and guns in the performance of assigned tasks, including keyboarding, grasping and reaching.

Occasionally lift, push, carry and pull materials, objects or persons weighing up to 100 lbs using proper lifting techniques;

Frequently sit, stand, walk or ride a bicycle;

Occasionally run, jump, climb, balance, kneel, crawl or crouch;

Frequently communicate verbally;

Uncorrected vision in either eye of 20 / 100 or better, vision able to be corrected to 20 / 20 in better eye and 20 / 30 in lesser eye. Visual acuity including closeness, distance, color, peripheral and depth perception, with the ability to adjust focus and to read a computer screen and typewritten page.

Experience and Training

Associate's Degree or two years (90 quarter hours / 60 semester hours) of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university

High School Diploma or equivalent, AND

Four years of active military service with honorable discharge (four years of military service may be substituted for two years of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university)

Bilingual proficiency highly desirable.

Necessary Special Requirements

Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, background investigation, polygraph examination and fingerprinting. Subject to re-check every five years.

Employment contingent upon passing a psychological and general medical evaluation.

Employment contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test. (This position is considered a safety sensitive position; therefore, the pre-employment drug test includes testing for cannabis. Positive test results will exclude an applicant from being hired).

Must pass physical fitness trainability standards of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, Red Cross certification for Infant / Child and Adult CPR and Standard First Aid.

Valid Washington State driver's license by time of hire and good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire, with periodic submission of driving abstract per City policy.

Attainment of the age of 21 years.

Must be a U. S. citizen, deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient, or a registered permanent resident able to work in the United States. Washington State residency by time of hire.

No record of felony convictions.

Misdemeanor convictions will also be reviewed. A misdemeanor conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant but offenses, by their nature and recentness, may reveal a lack of specific qualifications for this position.

Police Officer Recruits must successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

Selection Process

Step 1 : Applicants interested in this position must complete testing through Please visit the Public Safety Testing website () for information regarding the testing process.

Step 2 : The testing window for this process is 1 / 1 / 25 - 2 / 28 / 25. Candidate scores will be pulled from Public Safety Testing weekly. Applications will be reviewed weekly and candidate status will be updated accordingly.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service register that will be used to fill anticipated vacancies. This position is represented by a union.

Applicants must complete the written exam and pass the physical ability test through Public Safety Testing prior to being invited to apply. The City of Bellingham will use the scoring criteria recommended by Public Safety Testing.

Step 3 : Candidates will be invited via email on a weekly basis to complete a City of Bellingham Employment Application. (Please note : if you do not hear from us within one (1) week of testing with Public Safety Testing, please contact Human Resources at (360)778-8228; the PHS is due by the date / time you apply.)

If you wish to claim Veterans' Preference Points, please complete the and upload it to your application with your DD214.

Step 4 : Qualified candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility register based on the Public Safety Testing written exam score in April 2025. Candidates will be notified of their application status regularly as incoming applications are reviewed. The top scoring 15 candidates or the top 25%, whichever is greater, will be referred to the Department for additional examinations, assessments, or tests. Additional examinations, assessments, or tests may include review of the Application Materials, Personal History Statement (PHS), and Interviews. Candidates may be removed from the eligibility register for failure to pass the additional examinations, assessments, or tests.

Please Note :

Candidates may be removed for the reasons specified in Civil Service Rule Section 9 at any time throughout this process.

Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently.

Equal Opportunity :

Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not discriminate or make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40 ), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our for additional information.

This position is represented by the Police Guild bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the

This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems LEOFF plan. LEOFF requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the for more information on LEOFF.

Civil Service Information

This position is subject to the Bellingham Civil Service Commission. When a vacancy occurs, the top fifteen candidates or the top 25% of the register will be forwarded to the department for further consideration. All new Civil Service employees are subject to a one-year probationary period. A candidate may challenge the scope, content, or method of an examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days following the date of the challenged examination. A candidate may also challenge the scoring of an examination or test, failure of the candidate on any part of an examination, or clerical error in examination results of any examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days of notification of the challenged result. The Examiner shall consider all timely filed protests and make appropriate corrections if an error is demonstrated.

Veteran's Scoring Criteria

Applicants who have been honorably discharged from active military duty may be eligible to receive veteran's scoring criteria points as provided by Washington State Law (RCW 41.04.010). If you wish to claim Veterans' Preference Points, please complete the and upload it to your application with your DD214. For applicants claiming veteran preference on a promotional process per RCW 41.04.010, please refer to the job posting for further instructions or contact HR.

Salary : $7,339 - $9,441

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