Police Officer Recruit (Entry Level)

Police Officer Recruit (Entry Level)

Salary

$47.39 Hourly

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

4201-26A

Department

Tacoma Police Department

Opening Date

05/01/2026

Closing Date

12/31/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

The City of Tacoma is seeking Police Officer Recruits to join the Tacoma Police Department.

Are you ready to serve and protect your community with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to public safety? The City of Tacoma is seeking motivated, critical- thinking individuals to join our team as Police Officer Recruits.

As a Police Officer Recruit, you will play a vital role in maintaining the safety and well-being of Tacoma's residents.

Key Responsibilities:

• Understanding of police principles, practices, and procedures and how they apply to law enforcement operations.
• Familiarity with rules of evidence and laws of arrest to ensure lawful and ethical enforcement actions.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills to assess situations accurately and take effective action under pressure.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, for interacting with the public, colleagues, and preparing detailed reports.
• Ability to work respectfully with individuals from diverse cultures, languages, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to build and maintain cooperative, professional relationships.
• Knowledge of crime scene preservation and investigation techniques to support accurate and thorough investigations.
• Proficiency in safe vehicle operation and proper use of firearms in accordance with department standards.

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures used in police work, including relevant laws and ordinances.
• Understanding of rules of evidence, laws of arrest, and recent legislation affecting police duties.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and take effective action while maintaining sound judgment under pressure.
• Skill in communicating clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, including report preparation.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative working relationships and interact respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of crime scene preservation, investigation techniques, and basic first aid procedures.
• Proficiency in the safe operation of police vehicles, firearms, and related equipment in accordance with department standards.
• Competence in using computers and related technology for law enforcement tasks and documentation.

This is a classified, non-represented position during the probationary period. Upon successful completion of probation, the position becomes represented. We are looking for individuals who value integrity, accountability, and community engagement. If you are ready to make a difference and build a rewarding career in law enforcement, apply today and help keep Tacoma safe.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECRUITING & TESTING PROCESS

Please note: A felony conviction is a violation of standards and considered an automatic disqualifier. Please note: A domestic violence conviction is a violation of standards and considered 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).

• Once you submit your application, please visit publicsafetytesting.com to schedule a Written Exam and PAT that works best with your schedule.
• Make sure you select Tacoma Police Department as your agency of choice in your profile. Tacoma will cover the cost of testing when you attend an in-person event or test online. Once you pass both the written and PAT, Public Safety Testing will send your results to City of Tacoma Human Resources who will match your test results and application materials and advance you to the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration.

To learn more about the Tacoma Police Departments hiring process, hiring standards, and the physical abilities test click here.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• You must be a citizen of the United States of America or a lawful permanent resident;
• You must possess a high school diploma or GED;
• You must be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of application - and be 21 years of age by date of hire;
• Once you apply, you must complete and pass the testing process with Public Safety Testing noted above. You must be able to meet the physical requirements and medical standards prescribed by the City of Tacoma and the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements:

• You must possess a valid motor vehicle operators license at time of application. A valid Washington State drivers license is required for employment (with maintenance thereafter) and driving history will be thoroughly assessed during the hiring process.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Above-average physical endurance in running, climbing and lifting as well as good balance, hearing and vision.
• Work includes indoor and outdoor environment.
• Officers may work varying shifts depending on assignment to include nights and weekends. The general Police Patrol Officer schedule is a 4/10 schedule with rotating days off.

Incumbents in this classification may be exposed to gunfire, toxic chemicals, traffic hazards, and occasional driving at high speeds.

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 December 31, 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 Veterans Preference points.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $47.39

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

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

At the City of Tacoma, were on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. Were 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 Tacomas geographic area. Downtowns Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and Americas 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

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.

Eligible candidates must pass all phases of the hiring process including oral board, pre-offer assessment test, and background investigation. Upon successful completion of these hiring steps, the applicant may receive a conditional offer of employment, conditional upon available positions within the Police Department and the successful completion of the polygraph examination, physical and psychological examinations, and any other phases of the pre-employment process that might need to be accomplished. Candidates may be removed from the eligible list for failure to pass any of these hiring steps. Once an applicant becomes a commissioned officer, the position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 6 Tacoma Police Union IUPA.

The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend an hour or more entering the required information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement or experience any complications while applying, please contact Human Resources at 253.591.5400 by 12:00 p.m., December 31, 2026 in order for us to assist you before the closing time.

If you are interested in additional information regarding test standards, testing deadlines and other information about the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Police Department, visit our websites at www.tacoma.gov or https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/police/.

The City of Tacoma offers a generous program of employee benefits with plans for the whole family. Our plans include:

• Medical coverage for eligible employees, spouses and dependents, including children up to age 26
• Vision care with VSP for employees and eligible dependents enrolled in the Regence PPO medical plan with vision benefits
• Dental coverage for eligible employees and their elected dependents, including dependent children up to the age of 26
• Deferred compensation allowing tax-deferred savings as authorized under Section 457 of the IRS Code
• Personal time off
• Paid holidays
• Participation in the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Retirement System (LEOFF2)
• Continuing education and advancement opportunities and a
• Growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives

Interested in learning more about what the City of Tacoma has to offer for employee benefits? Visit our Employee Benefits website.

01

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the following questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. Your responses may be accessed in subsequent examinations, and any sign of deliberate misinformation or intentional exaggeration will result in disqualification from the examination process and possible bar from future employment opportunities with the City of Tacoma. Please indicate "Yes" to show that you have read and understand these instructions.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a high school graduate or equivalent? You will be required to produce approved documentation as part of the background process.

• Yes
• No

03

Are you 20 1/2 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you a citizen of the United States of America or a lawful permanent resident?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you currently possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

06

Have you ever been convicted of a felony as an adult?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you ever been convicted of a domestic violence related crime as an adult?

• Yes
• No

08

PLEASE NOTE: Questions 8-14 are checking for your understanding of aspects of the hiring standards. Selecting "no" will disqualify your application. I understand that I may be required to perform the physical abilities test multiple times throughout the testing process and it is my responsibility to stay in good physical condition.

• Yes
• No

09

I understand that as part of the recruitment process an applicants driving record will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the past three (3) years being the most critical. The following will be disqualifying until the time parameters have been met:DUI/Negligent Driving 1st Degree (More than 1 conviction, permanently disqualifying) DUI/Negligent Driving 1st Degree (Conviction within 10 years) DUI/Negligent Driving 1st Degree (Deferred or Reduced within 7 years)

• Yes
• No

10

I understand that as part of the recruitment process an applicants employment history, including any terminations or leaving an employer in lieu of termination, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.

• Yes
• No

11

I understand that all applicants are expected to maintain a professional appearance at all times. The Tacoma Police Department has the sole discretion in determining what is considered professional, as it relates to the position the applicant is applying for. Any and all tattoos, branding (intentional burning of skin to create a design) shall be carefully reviewed by the Department on a case-by-case basis.

• Yes
• No

12

I understand that as part of the recruitment process an applicants credit history will be thoroughly assessed and related decision-making issues may be grounds for disqualification. The following are areas of concern: Failure to pay income tax Failure to pay child support

• Yes
• No

13

I understand that the City of Tacoma complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act. The Drug-free Workplace Act requires that federal grant recipients publish a statement notifying their employees that drug abuse in the workplace is prohibited as follows: The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the City of Tacoma workplace. I understand that marijuana is still an illegal substance on a federal level; therefore, as a condition of employment candidates for the position of Police Officer Recruit will be required to participate in a pre-employment drug test that will test for marijuana usage. I understand that detection of marijuana in the pre-employment drug test may prevent a candidate from being hired. I understand that as a condition of employment I will be required to comply with the City of Tacoma Drug-free Workplace policy.

• Yes
• No

14

I understand that I will need to complete all testing components (written exam and PAT) with Public Safety Testing before my application materials will be advanced to the department for interview and hiring considerations. Visit publicsafetytesting.com to complete all aspects of the testing process.

• Yes
• No

15

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification
• Professional organization
• Military organization
• City of Tacoma employee
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Careers in Government
• Government Jobs
• Outreach Event
• National Diversity Network
• African American Job Network
• Asian Job Network
• Disability Job Network
• Latino Job Network
• Retirement Job Network
• LGBT Job Network
• Veteran Job Network
• Other (please provide information below)

16

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

Required Question

Employer City of Tacoma

Address Human Resources Department

747 Market Street

Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone 253-591-5400

Website http://www.tacoma.gov