Police Officer Requirements

Entry-Level requirements must be met at the time of application

Candidates must be 21 years old at the time of application and successfully complete the state law enforcement training program (Basic Academy). See Public Safety Testing for further testing information. 

Lateral Standards must be met by the time of application

All applicants must successfully complete a written exam. Applicants who successfully pass the written examination will be placed on an eligibility list for a period of one year. Lateral standards must be met by the time of application. Applicants from within Washington State must have a minimum of 24 consecutive months as a full-time, paid commissioned officer assigned to patrol or investigative duties. Special agents from the Washington State Gambling Commission and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife are eligible to apply as a lateral. Federal law enforcement officers/agents, correction officers, and military police officers do not qualify for lateral positions. Applicants who currently hold a Law Enforcement Certification, and who have less than 24 consecutive months experience as a full-time, paid commissioned officer may qualify for exceptional consideration upon review and authorization from the Chief of Police.​

All Out-of-State Lateral Candidates must meet the in-state lateral requirements

Out-of-State candidates must have successfully completed a state-certified police academy granting them a full authority certificate, and must hold a current and active full authority law enforcement certiciation. A current and active certification refers to a Peace Officer Certification that is currently in good standing with the state of issuance, and that the holder of the certificate meets all maintenance requirements. A full authority certification refers to a fully commissioned state peace officer, with full powers of arrest and unrestricted enforcement powers of criminal and traffic statues within the state of issuance while acting in an individual capacity The holder of a full authority certificate must have completed a state authorized and sanctioned law enforcement training academy for its full duration. All out-of-state lateral applicants must also meet the requirements outlined in Washington Administrative code 139-05-210 "Basic Law Enforcement Certificate of Equivalency" and be qualified to attend the Washington State Equivalency Academy. The Police Department retains the option of sending out-of-state laterals to the full WSCJTC Academy in lieu of the Equivalency Academy. The successful out-of-state candidate must successfully complete the Washington State Equivalency course, or must successfully complete the WSCJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy.