Port of Seattle Police Standards and 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
Failure to divulge any information about personal illegal use or possession of drugs
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 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

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 of 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 applicant’s credit history, including excessive credit card debt or unresolved accounts in collection, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.

As part of the background process, answers may be subject to verification by a polygraph examination.