Police Standards & Disqualifiers
The following standards apply to all candidates for sworn and non-sworn (civilian) positions:
Honesty / Integrity
Honesty and integrity are essential traits for a successful career in law enforcement. Any false statements, lack of candor, cheating, or failure to fully divulge requested information will result in immediate disqualification from the hiring process.
Minimum Requirements
- At least 21 years of age.
- A U.S. Citizen with the ability to read and write in the English language.
- Proof of high school diploma or a GED certificate.
- A Washington State Driver's License (must be obtained prior to hire).
- Successfully pass a background investigation that includes a complete criminal records check, a polygraph examination, a medical examination and a psychological examination.
Automatic Disqualifiers
Drug Use The following examples of illegal drug use or possession will be considered automatic disqualifiers for public safety applicants, with no exceptions:
- Any adult illegal use of possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic within seven years prior to application for employment
- Any adult illegal use or possession or marijuana within one year prior to application for employment
- Any other adult illegal use or possession of a drug not mentioned above (including cocaine) within three years prior to application for employment
- Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug while employed in any law enforcement capacity, including military police
- Any adult illegal manufacture of a drug or illegal substance
- Any drug test of the applicant, during the course of the hiring process, where illegal drugs are detected
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The following are disqualifying:
- Any adult felony conviction
- Conviction of any offense classified as a felony under Washington law while employed in any capacity at a law enforcement agency
- Admission(s) of having committed any act amounting to a felony under Washington law, as an adult, within five years prior to application or while employed as a peace officer (including military police officers)
- Any conviction under a domestic violence statute
- Unlawful sexual misconduct
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Traffic violations that are disqualifying:
- One or more traffic crime convictions in the last five years (DUI, Suspended, Reckless, Negligent 1st Degree, etc)
- As an adult, any conviction for Attempting to Elude or Hit and Run
- Involvement as a driver in two or more chargeable (at fault) collisions within three years prior to date of application
- Any two convictions for driving under the influence or alcohol and/or drugs
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An applicant's employment history will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification. The following shall be disqualifying:
- Dishonorable discharge from the United States armed forces
- Lying during any stage of the hiring process
- Falsification of application, personal history questionnaire or other forms during hiring process.
- Previous revocation or denial of any (CJTC/POST) certified status, or suspension of current CJTC/POST certified status
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An applicants credit history, including excessive credit card debt or unresolved accounts in collection, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.