Police Officer Recruit (Entry Level)

Salary : $88,150.40 - $105,497.60 Annually

Location : Tacoma, WA

Job Type : Classified

Job Number : 4201-25

Department : Tacoma Police Department

Opening Date : 01 / 02 / 2025

Closing Date : 6 / 30 / 2025 12 : 00 PM Pacific

Position Description

Are you ready for a career that is exciting, rewarding, and allows you to make a positive impact in your community? Look no further than the Tacoma Police Department! Police Officer Recruits perform general duty police work involving the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinances, maintenance of order, and prevention and investigation of crimes. Work is performed according to departmental regulations and procedures prescribed by superior officers and normally consists of routine patrol, traffic regulations, and crime prevention and investigation on motorcycles, or on foot.

Responsibilities involve a substantial element of personal danger and employees must be able to act without direct supervision and exercise independent discretion in emergencies. All assignments in this class involve responsibility for recognizing the social importance of police functions, for tactful and courteous treatment of the public, and for conscientious and efficient performance of duties under little direct supervision.

Employees may be assigned to work on special assignments that call upon specialized ability and knowledge usually attained through experience as a uniformed Police Officer. Assignments and general and special instructions are received from superior officers who review work by personal inspection, check of reports, and general appraisal of the effectiveness of the employee and the entire police service.

Primary Duties

• Successfully complete the Basic Law Enforcement Academy provided by the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission;
• Learn and apply knowledge of basic first aid procedures;
• Resolve a variety of potentially volatile and dangerous situations in a calm, confident, and effective manner;
• Drive a patrol car under normal and adverse conditions;
• Train and use firearms safely in accordance with departmental rules;
• Clean and maintain assigned firearms and vehicles;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Learn, interpret and apply modern principles, practices, and procedures of police work;
• Write clear and comprehensive reports;
• Work with the public and coworkers in a professional and courteous manner;
• Show initiative in performing job functions, and ability to enforce federal, state and local laws.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECRUITING & TESTING PROCESS

The Tacoma Police Department has partnered with Public Safety Testing to administer both the Written Exam and the Physical Abilities Test (PAT).

To learn more about the Tacoma Police Department's hiring process, hiring standards, and the physical abilities test click

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and / or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

Transforming Tacoma

The Tacoma Police Department is a proud participant in Transforming Tacoma; actively working to develop pragmatic, specific recommendations and reforms that theTacoma Police Department and the City of Tacoma can implement to strengthen the Tacoma Police Department's relationship with Tacoma's community; ensure that the Tacoma Police Department's activities and operations are safe, just, effective, lawful, and consistent with national, best, emerging,and transformational practices. For more information about this effort, please visit the website.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications :

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements :

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions :

Knowledge & Skills

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Communication from the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and / or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to Human Resources Analyst, Georgia Lewis, at .

Please indicate in your online application that you prefer email notification as this is the preferred method of communication with the City of Tacoma. In order to receive the most efficient communications from the City of Tacoma Human Resources Department and the Tacoma Police Department, we suggest that each applicant create a Gmail email address for correspondence. Please use any combination of your first and last name as the email address. Ex : , This will assist the Tacoma Police Department hiring unit with tracking information received during the hiring process.

Applicants who are eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) MUST attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4 (proof of military discharge form) at time of application to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference points.

IMPORTANT TESTING INFORMATION :

Applicants must pass the physical abilities test (PAT) and written exam before being placed on an eligibility list for interview and hiring consideration. The PAT consists of three activities : squat thrusts, sit-ups and push-ups. Please visit publicsafetytesting.com to schedule a Written Exam and PAT that works best with your schedule. The requirements for the PAT can be found on the

Eligible candidates must pass all phases of the hiring process including oral board, pre-offer assessment test, and background investigation. Upon successful completion of these hiring steps, the applicant may receive a conditional offer of employment, conditional upon available positions within the Police Department and the successful completion of the polygraph examination, physical and psychological examinations, and any other phases of the pre-employment process that might need to be accomplished. Candidates may be removed from the eligible list for failure to pass any of these hiring steps. Once an applicant becomes a commissioned officer, the position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 6 Tacoma Police Union IUPA.

The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend an hour or more entering the required information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement or experience any complications while applying, please contact Human Resources at 253.591.5400 by 12 : 00 p.m., Monday, June 30, 2025 in order for us to assist you before the closing time.

If you are interested in additional information regarding test standards, testing deadlines and other information about the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Police Department, visit our websites at or

The City of Tacoma offers a generous program of employee benefits with plans for the whole family. Our plans include :

Interested in learning more about what the City of Tacoma has to offer for employee benefits?

INSTRUCTIONS : Answer the following questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. Your responses may be accessed in subsequent examinations, and any sign of deliberate misinformation or intentional exaggeration will result in disqualification from the examination process and possible bar from future employment opportunities with the City of Tacoma. Please indicate "Yes" to show that you have read and understand these instructions.

Are you a high school graduate or equivalent? You will be required to produce approved documentation as part of the background process.

Are you 20 1 / 2 years of age or older?

Are you a citizen of the United States of America or a lawful permanent resident?

Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

PLEASE NOTE : Questions 6-13 are checking for your understanding of aspects of the hiring standards. Selecting "no" will disqualify your application. I understand that I may be required to perform the physical abilities test multiple times throughout the testing process and it is my responsibility to stay in good physical condition.

I understand the following convictions below will be automatic disqualifiers and that as part of the recruitment process an applicant's criminal record, including all arrests, prosecutions, deferred prosecutions, 'Alford' pleas, and non-conviction information will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification :

I understand that as part of the recruitment process an applicant's driving record will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the past five (5) years being the most critical. The following will be disqualifying until the time parameters have been met :

I understand that as part of the recruitment process an applicant's employment history, including any terminations or leaving an employer in lieu of termination, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.

I understand that all applicants are expected to maintain a professional appearance at all times. The Tacoma Police Department has the sole discretion in determining what is considered professional, as it relates to the position the applicant is applying for. Any and all tattoos, branding (intentional burning of skin to create a design), voluntary disfigurement (marring or spoiling of the appearance or shape of a body part), or scarification (intentional cutting of the skin to create a design) shall be carefully reviewed by the Department on a case-by-case basis.

I understand that as part of the recruitment process an applicant's credit history will be thoroughly assessed and related decision-making issues may be grounds for disqualification. The following are areas of concern :

I understand that the City of Tacoma complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act. The Drug-free Workplace Act requires that federal grant recipients publish a statement notifying their employees that drug abuse in the workplace is prohibited as follows : The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the City of Tacoma workplace. I understand that marijuana is still an illegal substance on a federal level; therefore, as a condition of employment candidates for the position of Police Officer Recruit will be required to participate in a pre-employment drug test that will test for marijuana usage. I understand that detection of marijuana in the pre-employment drug test may prevent a candidate from being hired. I understand that as a condition of employment I will be required to comply with the City of Tacoma Drug-free Workplace policy.

I understand that I will need to complete all testing components (written exam and PAT) with Public Safety Testing before my application materials will be advanced to the department for interview and hiring considerations. Visit to complete all aspects of the testing process.

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

Required Question

Salary : $88,150 - $105,498