Police Officer - Lateral/Experienced

Police Officer - Lateral/Experienced Salary $88,308.00 - $124,932.00 Annually

Location: 33325 8th Ave S, Federal Way Job Type: Regular Full-Time Job Number: 2600429 Department: Police Opening Date: January 2, 2026 Closing Date: Continuous

Benefits

Basic Function: A position in this classification will be represented by the Federal Way Police Guild. To apply, please visit Public Safety Testings website at www.PublicSafetyTesting.com to complete the application online and select the testing date and/or location most convenient for you. If you have any questions, please call toll-free at 1-866-447-3911 or contact the Citys Civil Service Commission Secretary/Chief Examiner at 253-835-2533.

Veterans Preference

In accordance with RCW 41.04, veterans who meet criteria for Veterans Preference and achieve passing scores on competitive employment examinations have 5 to 10% added to their final weighted score where a ranked eligibility list is established. For Veterans Scoring Criteria, please submit copy 4 of your DD214.

Re-Application

Pursuant to Civil Service Rule 8.12.1, no one may be reexamined for the same class within six (6) months of the effective date of a successful examination.

Our Mission

The mission of the Federal Way Police Department is for every member to consistently earn the publics trust while enhancing the quality of life for residents, visitors, and businesses within our City. We accomplish our mission by providing the highest quality law enforcement, community education, and support services possible while making the best use of the resources entrusted to us. We are recognized as professional, innovative, diverse, ethical, and as a valued partner in building economic viability in our area.

Requirements

Experienced Officers will be hired at a wage commensurate to their experience level. Requires high school graduation, successful completion of a basic police academy, minimum of one year of continuous law enforcement employment at a municipal, county or state law enforcement agency as a police officer, and no more than 18 months break in service. College level course work in law enforcement or related field, bilingual capability and specialized law enforcement training are highly desirable.

Licensure and Other Requirements

Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to employment, U.S. citizenship; attainment of the age of 21 years; a valid Washington State Drivers License and good driving record; certificate of successful completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Police Officer Academy or equivalency certificate; attainment of department standards of physical fitness; submission to thorough employment reference and background investigation; submission to psychological and general medical evaluation; submission to FBI record check and polygraph examination. Felony conviction disqualifies.

Incentives for Lateral Officers

Hiring bonus of $40,000 for experienced police officers will be paid in four installments. The following installments: first upon meeting requirements for the Equivalency Academy (medical clearance and firearms qualification) of $5,000; second successful completion of the six month probationary period of $10,000; third at one year anniversary date of hire of $10,000; and final at eighteen month anniversary for $15,000. Also eligible for additional career development pay incentives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, and performing individually or as a member of a team, participate in the following activities:

• Enforce state statutes and local ordinances, regulations and laws
• Apprehend suspects
• Respond to and investigate disturbances, services and accident calls
• Patrol and conduct surveillance
• Receive training and maintain skills proficiency
• Operate a vehicle during routine and emergency situations
• Communicate with the public in normal and adverse situations
• Complete verbal and written reports and documentation
• Work independently following written or verbal instructions that are general in nature
• Perform a variety of specialized duties as assigned

Developing Relationships/Representing/Handling Inquiries

• Establish rapid rapport with new contacts
• Deal effectively with complaints by being polite to customers
• Maintain good public relations
• Establish good relationships with antagonistic individuals
• Work closely with team
• Verbally answer inquires about public safety as a service
• Establish a network of contacts

Deciding

• Decide, on own initiative or in conjunction with others, to pursue a course of action
• Make decisions under time pressure in a quick manner and after evaluation of the situation
• Choose appropriate materials to complete a job, and decide whether to refer problems to a supervisor

Motivating

• Gain willing cooperation by understanding the personal needs or motives of others
• Provide reassurance for those suffering anxiety
• Create and foster team spirit
• Get individuals to carry out unappealing tasks
• Warn people to increase their motivation
• Sustain interest of others in tasks

Controlling/Directing/Reviewing

• Direct action in emergencies
• Manage unexpected situations
• Ensure that safety precautions are observed
• Review to assess compliance with laws, rules, etc.
• Follow up with people to expedite work completion

Cooperating/Acting as a Liaison

• Encourage cooperation from peers and colleagues, and between team members
• Act as liaison with supervisors, clerical and/or non-sworn personnel, with managers/professionals, and between organizations or departments

Disciplining/Handling Disputes and Grievances

• Avoid emotional involvement in disputes
• Reduce tension between people
• Handle grievances effectively by listening to all sides involved and being sympathetic
• Handle disciplinary problems firmly and effectively
• Warn people by threat of punishment and issue formal warnings
• Physically restrain people where necessary
• Order rule breaking public to leave a public premises, and resolve disputes

Supervising/Directing

• Maintain a physical presence to ensure all is well
• Issue directions in emergent situations
• Direct the public to obey laws and supervise to ensure that this is done
• Give verbal instructions to colleagues

Security/Cleaning/Handling

• Patrol a defined area
• Apply manipulation to body and/or limbs as necessary and appropriate
• Handle dangerous items (i.e. poisons, explosives, etc. where appropriate) gently to avoid pain/damage to a person or object
• Physically handle animals

Informing/Reporting

• Prepare accurate and detailed investigative reports
• Complete a variety of forms and issue citations as appropriate
• Provide information either verbally or in writing about a case
• Contact manager or supervisor for authorization
• Give instructions via radio or telephone
• Make verbal reports of problems or status to immediate supervisor
• Explain technical situations to the public in lay terms
• Present formal training sessions as requested
• Brief individuals on tasks or situations

Assisting/Caring

• Respond to a wide variety of calls from citizens in need of first aid, information and general assistance
• Counsel or advise on personal problems
• Assist members of the public with psychological problems
• Provide emotional support or comfort
• Look after the needs of members of the public, including the young and elderly, the disabled, and other vulnerable adults

Collecting Information

• Interview persons with complaints and inquiries
• Attempt to make the proper disposition or direction to proper authorities
• Observe unusual or dangerous occurrences or warning symbols
• Ask questions to establish information required
• Watch out for safety or health hazards
• Listen or observe if a dangerous situation occurs
• Listen to all arguments and evidence, verbal instructions from superiors, and to verbal reports from fellow officers or subordinates

Analyzing/Integrating/Interpreting

• Summarize verbal information given, critically examine all information for accuracy and quality
• Interpret rules, laws, regulations and codes for the public
• Interpret information to simplify reports or evidence gathered

Selling/Influencing

• Provide information on laws and ordinances, police services, and other information to the public as requested
• Make a spoken case for a course of action
• Contact citizens as part of routine checking procedures

Administering/Writing/Drawing

• Complete forms or other structured documentation
• Keep detailed records of events, occurrences, and work undertaken
• Produce legible handwriting and make freehand sketches if necessary

Responding Physically

• Physically restrain suspects as needed via quick reaction to visual and sound signals, using physical coordination of hand and foot
• Provide first aid and rescue services at crime scenes, accidents and other emergency situations

Using Tools/Modifying

• Utilize and maintain a variety of specialized equipment such as firearms, police vehicles, radios, baton, kubaton, handcuffs, flares and chemical mace according to established procedures

Controlling Vehicles

• Maintain proficiency in driving
• Operate police vehicles which may include cars, vans, trucks, powered water vehicles

Using the Senses

• Make fine auditory and visual discrimination
• Identify colors
• Recall both verbal or written instructions over hours and days

Education and Experience

Requires high school graduation, successful completion of a basic police academy, minimum of one year of continuous law enforcement employment at a municipal, county or state law enforcement agency as a police officer, and no more than 18 months break in service. College level course work in law enforcement or related field, bilingual capability and specialized law enforcement training are highly desirable.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of:
• Police department organization, policies and directives
• Principles, practices and procedures used in police work
• Understanding of community policing concepts
• State, County, and City laws and ordinances
• Recent legislation and court decisions affecting police duties
• City services and human service agencies
• Geography, street addressing and characteristics of the City and specific areas of assignment
• Traffic and crowd control techniques
• Rules