Police Officer Recruit

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 $6,768/month. Upon entry to the Basic Law Enforcement Academy salary is $7,445/month. Upon graduation from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy the salary is $7,668. The salary range for a Full Performance Police Officer is $7,668-$9,864/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.

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.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team:

• 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 7/1/25 – 8/31/25. Applicants must complete the written exam and pass the physical ability test through Public Safety Testing prior to being invited to apply.

Effective 3/1/25, Public Safety Testing has a new LEO/CO Written Examination, therefore, we will not accept PST Scores from any previous exams. If you wish to be considered in a future process, you must retest with PST within the testing window specified on future Police Officer – Recruit job postings.

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 OR 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.

Step 2: The testing window for this process is 7/1/25 – 8/31/25. 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.)

Step 4: Qualified candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility register based on the Public Safety Testing written exam score in September 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 workforce. 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.