Police

Port of Seattle Police Employment

This is not your ordinary police force. Port of Seattle Police protect and serve the interests of both the community and nation by ensuring a safe environment for the Port of Seattle.

Police Application Process

Entry-Level Applicants

Application and Testing:
The Port of Seattle is currently contracted with Public Safety Testing (PST) to conduct our written and physical ability examinations for entry level police officers. You are able to complete your application online and select a testing date, time and location convenient for you. For further information, you may contact Public Safety Testing toll-free at (866) HIRE-911.

Public Safety Testing will validate your test results and send the score to the Port of Seattle directly.

Written Exercise:
Prior to your oral board you will be given a written exercise that will be pass/fail.

Oral Board:
Based on availability of openings, we will contact you to schedule an oral board.

Civil Service Eligibility List:
Based on the oral board, as well as veteran's preference points, qualified candidates will be merged onto the existing entry level list. This list determines the order in which background investigations are conducted.

Lateral-Level Applicants

Application and Testing:
All lateral level police candidates must fill out an application on the Port of Seattle’s website. You must fill out the application completely and we also strongly encourage all candidates to attach a resume.

All applicants must meet the minimum requirements at the time of application to move forward in the process.

Tentative Timeline:
Physical Ability Testing: March 1 and 2, 2013
Written/Oral Board: Week of March 4, 2013

After a review of your application/resume and all qualifications are met, you will be contacted with available times for the Physical Ability Testing.

Part 1 – Physical Ability
All qualified candidates will be required to pass a physical abilities test consistent with the test administered by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. You must meet the minimum standards below in each category. You may retest after you have completed all phases of this test on the push-ups and sit ups positions only.

Physical Ability Test	Minimum
300 Meter Sprint	71 seconds
Push Ups	21
Sit Ups	30
1.5 Mile Run	14:31

The physical ability test is pass/fail.

Part 2 – Written Test
All candidates will be required to answer questions in writing prior their oral board.
The written test is pass/fail.

Part 3 – Oral Board
All candidates are required to do an oral interview that will determine their rank on the eligibility list.

Eligibility List:
Based on the oral board, as well as veteran's preference points, qualified candidates will be merged onto the existing lateral-level list. The list determines the order in which background investigations are conducted.

For Inquiries Contact:
Port of Seattle Human Resources
Attn: Cathy Cameron
Uniformed Services Representative
P: 206-787-7727
F: 206-787-7213
P.O. Box 68727
Seattle, WA 98168

Police Officer Requirements

Entry-level 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-level Requirements

Lateral-level requirements must be met at the time of application

Applicants who successfully pass the written examination and oral board 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, and no more than a 24 month break in service.
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.

Out-of-state Lateral-level Requirements

All out-of-state lateral candidates must meet 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 certification.
Out-of-state candidates must not have a break in service longer than 24 months.
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 statutes 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.

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 or possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic within seven years prior to application for employment.
Any adult illegal use or possession of 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.

Criminal Activity

The following are disqualifying:

Any adult felony conviction.
Conviction of any offense classified as a felony under Washington State law while employed in any capacity at a law enforcement agency.
Admission(s) of having committed any act amounting to a felony under Washington State 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.

Driving

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.

Employment

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.

Financial

An applicants credit history, including excessive credit card debt or unresolved accounts in collection, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.