Police Officer Recruit (Entry Level)

Police Officer Recruit

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 include :

• 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 and testing process :

A felony conviction is an automatic disqualifier. A domestic violence conviction is also an automatic disqualifier.

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 here .

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 the Tacoma 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 Transforming Tacoma website.

Minimum Qualifications :

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements :

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions :

Knowledge & Skills :

Selection Process & Supplemental Information :

We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from tacoma.gov 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 glewis@tacoma.gov. 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. 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 Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission website.

After successfully completing and passing the initial Personal History Statement (PHS), you will receive dates and times to sign up for the in-person Physical Ability Test (PAT). This is in addition to the PAT you took with PST.

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