Experienced/Lateral Police Officer

Join The Kent Police Department

Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike!

2025 BASE SALARY (depending on experience): $94,728.00- $123,300.00 annually

$7,894.00- $10,275.00 monthly

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

Additional information may also be found in both the Teamsters Sergeants and Officers labor agreement and at Lateral Police Officer Careers

General Purpose

Positions in this class are responsible for general duty police work involving the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, prevention and investigation of crimes, and maintenance of order within a designated area on an assigned shift, in patrol car, motorcycle, bicycle other conveyance for which training has been received, or on foot. Work is performed according to departmental regulations and procedures, duty assignments, general and special instructions are received from supervisors who review work by personal inspection, checking of reports, and general appraisal of the effectiveness of the employee and adherence to established policies.

Reports To

Police Sergeant

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Responds to emergency and routine calls for service.
• Performs computer inquiries from the patrol vehicle and stationary terminals.
• Documents, thoroughly and clearly, incidents and actions by writing case reports, field interview cards, maintaining daily logs and preparing other related reports.
• Patrols designated area of city in police vehicle, on foot patrol, bicycle patrol and/or other conveyances on an assigned shift; patrols business and residential districts to provide an element of safety by obvious visibility; looking for crimes or potential crimes in progress.
• Acts as primary investigator of all crimes occurring within assigned areas during duty hours. Makes on scene arrests when warranted. Uses varying degrees of physical force to overcome resisting suspects and to protect himself/herself and others from injury.
• Pursues fleeing suspects on foot and in vehicles. Performs rescue and pursuit operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting patrol vehicles; climbing over and pulling oneself up over obstacles; jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches and streams; and using physical force to gain entry through barriers.
• Takes immediate action to remedy hazards and protect life and property. Must be physically able to hear conversations, instructions and common warnings. Must have adequate vision to effectively perform these functions in hours of darkness or low light.
• Investigates and/or handles complaints involving family disputes, juveniles disputes, mentally disabled persons; provides first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons.
• Must be prepared and capable of physical exertion to protect themselves and provide immediate life saving measures to others.
• Stops traffic violators and takes appropriate remedial action; identifies suspicious individuals and questions their activities. Apprehends violators or offenders of the law, sometimes involving a substantial element of personal danger. In instances where lawful arrests are resisted the officer must be prepared and able at times through high levels of physical exertion to protect citizens, themselves, fellow officers and overcome the resistance.
• Attempts to tactfully diffuse any verbal or physical abuse which may occur in the course of performing work assignments. Endures verbal and mental abuse when confronted with the hostile views and opinions of suspects and others encountered in an antagonistic environment.
• Communicates effectively in court and other formal settings.
• Searches for lost or wanted persons over varying terrain and conditions for extended periods of time.
• Performs searches of people, vehicles, buildings and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.
• Determines when a lawful search or arrest can or should be attempted; determines when and to what extent physical force should be use, as governed bylaw and department regulations. Must be able to recognize when the application of deadly force is appropriate under state law and department policy. Must have the mental and physical capabilities to employ deadly force in order to protect human life.
• Physically directs traffic when required. Investigates traffic accidents in various weather and traffic conditions. Places temporary traffic control devices such as portable stop signs, barricades and other forms of directional signing as needed.
• Reads, reviews, interprets, serves and enforces various court orders.
• Develops knowledge about known offenders and correlates reported offenses; recovers lost or stolen property. Officer is expected to be able to lift and move commonly recovered items such as bicycles, televisions, stereo components, tools, automotive wheels and parts, and small safes without destroying or damaging those items. Prepares affidavits for search warrants; interviews witnesses and suspects. Develops and uses informants and other investigative aids; appears in court to present evidence and to testify against persons accused of crimes.
• Provides assistance and referrals for domestic violence cases, indigent persons and stranded individuals.
• Writes reports; maintains daily logs and other related reports.
• Takes direction from police supervisor as necessary.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills And Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• City ordinances and applicable state and federal laws and WAC rules.
• Department policy and procedure.
• Modern police methods and procedures.
• Geography and street locations.
• Laws of arrest, search and seizure including legal ramifications of action taken.
• Principles of crime and accident investigation.
• Basic techniques of crime prevention.
• Basic techniques of criminal investigation.
• Identification and preservation of evidence.
• First aid principles and application.
• Organization and planning.

SKILLED IN:

• Use and care of firearms.
• Operation of police vehicle and other police equipment.
• Dealing with the public courteously, firmly and effectively.
• Interpersonal relationships.
• Analyzing dangerous situations rapidly and accurately.
• Maintaining control in stressful, hostile and hazardous conditions.
• Enforcement of all applicable laws.
• Preparing clear and concise reports.

ABILITY TO:

• Act without direct supervision and exercise independent discretion.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Communicate effectively with co-workers, superiors and the general public, both orally and in writing.
• Cope with situations firmly, courteously and tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.
• Effectively deal with violations of rules, policies, and procedures on an impartial basis.
• Maintain standards of physical fitness.

Machines, Tools And Equipment Used

Operate a motor vehicle, computers/keyboards, B.A.C. verifier machines, telephones, police radios, mobile data terminals, tape recorders, firearms, batons, handcuffs and other police related equipment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:

Frequently required to sit and talk or hear. Occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Minimum Education And Experience Required

Graduation from a standard high school, or a General Education Diploma (GED) or the equivalent. Applicants for the Lateral positions shall have successfully completed a state law enforcement academy training program and been employed as a commissioned full-time general authority law enforcement officer with a municipal, county, or state law enforcement agency with a break in