Position Description

The City of Tacoma is seeking Lateral Police Officers to join the Tacoma Police Department.

The Tacoma Police Department will be giving hiring priority to in-state lateral candidates for any immediate vacancies. Qualified out-of-state candidates will be placed on an eligible list for interview and hiring consideration and may be considered for subsequent vacancies.

At this time the Tacoma Police Department is placing out-of-state lateral candidates at step 4 ($59.55)* in the hiring range; in-state laterals will be placed at step 5 ($62.53)* in the range. In-state laterals with 5+ years will start at step #6. Please note, step placement is at the discretion of the hiring authority and is subject to change at any time.

Key Responsibilities

Patrol and Public Safety
Patrol assigned areas to prevent crime, enforce laws and ordinances, ensure traffic safety, and provide general public assistance.
Emergency and Incident Response
Respond to crimes, accidents, and calls for service; secure scenes, provide first aid, and perform preliminary investigations.
Law Enforcement Actions and Investigations
Detect, apprehend, and arrest suspects; execute warrants; collect evidence; prepare reports; and testify in court.
Community Interaction and Coordination
Engage with citizens, other agencies, and city personnel to exchange information, resolve issues, and support community safety.
Equipment and Skill Proficiency
Maintain proficiency with police equipment, firearms, vehicles, computers, and specialized tools; participate in training as required.

Knowledge & Skills

Knowledge of laws, policies, and law enforcement procedures
Including state, county, and city laws; department policies; rules of evidence; and modern policing practices.
Patrol, investigation, and crime scene skills
Ability to respond to emergencies, preserve evidence, conduct preliminary investigations, and take appropriate action.
Proficiency with equipment and technology
Skilled in operating police vehicles, firearms, specialized equipment, and basic computer applications.
Communication and reporting abilities
Clear and effective oral and written communication, including preparing accurate reports and presenting testimony in court.
Judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving
Ability to analyze situations, exercise independent judgment, and adopt effective courses of action under stress.
First aid and emergency response knowledge
Basic first aid skills and the ability to provide immediate assistance at crime and accident scenes.
Interpersonal and community-relations skills
Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals, maintain cooperative relationships, and support community policing efforts.

Are you ready to serve and protect your community with integrity and professionalism? The City of Tacoma is seeking motivated, community focused Lateral Entry Officers to join the Tacoma Police Department. You will play a crucial part in police work involving the protection of life and property and keeping Tacoma safe. The job classification of Lateral Entry Officer is classified and represented. Lateral Entry Officers 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.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must be currently employed as a law enforcement officer or have been employed as a law enforcement officer in the last 24 months. There may not be more than a 24-month break in service
Must have 12 or more months of continuous post-commissioned street patrol experience
Non-patrol sworn officer experience, such as jail/corrections/court, or dispatch, does not count toward "street patrol experience" in calculating the total months of post-commissioned experience
Must be a citizen of the United States of America or a lawful permanent resident
Must be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D.
Out-of-state lateral commission must be approved by the Washington State Criminal Justice Commission

NOTE: Applicants who failed probation, were terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, are about to be terminated, or would not be considered for rehire by their former department or agency, are not eligible for a lateral position.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of law enforcement academy training approved by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Valid Driver's License.

Department Mission

To create a safe and secure environment in which to live, work, and visit by working together with the community, enforcing the law in a fair and impartial manner, preserving the peace and order in our neighborhoods, and safeguarding our Constitutional guarantees.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Application Process

Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m.

Applicants must pass all phases both before and after the eligibility list is established, including driving record, credit history, conviction/arrest record, work history, reference check, oral board interview and polygraph examination.

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.

This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 6 Tacoma Police Union IUPA. Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

HOURLY

$47.39 - $65.66

ANNUALLY

$98,571.20 - $136,572.80

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should 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 email folders.

City of Tacoma

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