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 or a lawful permanent resident 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
Drug use beyond these standards will normally disqualify you for employment with the Port of Seattle Police Department. "Use" is defined as: trying, testing, or experimenting, which includes, but is not limited to tasting, smoking, injecting, absorbing, sniffing or inhaling.
- No use of marijuana/hashish within the last one (1) year, regardless of age.
- No use of any non-prescribed Schedule I - V drugs (except for marijuana/hashish) over five (5) times combined. This standard applies to synthetic versions of Schedule I - V drugs.
- No use of any non-prescribed Schedule I - V drugs (except for marijuana/hashish) in the last three (3) years. This standard applies to synthetic versions of Schedule I - V drugs.
- No use of hallucinogens, opiates or heroin within the last ten (10) years.
- No injection of any non-prescribed drugs, regardless of time frame.
- No trafficking, selling, offering to sell, or transporting for sale of any illegal drugs, regardless of time frame.
- No drug use of any non-prescribed Schedule I - V drugs after submitting an application, while employed, or after having been employed by a law enforcement agency (including military law enforcement), regardless of time frame.
- No intentional inhalation (huffing) of any aerosol or substance (nitrous oxide, whippets, paint, glue, DXM, etc.) in the last three (3) years.
Examples of schedule I-V drugs include, but are not limited to:
- Schedule I (RCW 69.50.204) - Examples could include: Codeine, heroin, morphine, ecstasy, LSD, peyote, GHB, methaqualone, marijuana/cannabis, etc.
- Schedule II (RCW 69.50.206) - Examples could include: Opium, cocaine, codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone, methamphetamine, amphetamine, depressants, hallucinogenic substances, etc.
- Schedule III (RCW 69.50.208) - Examples could include: Stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, ketamine, anabolic steroids, hallucinogenic substances, etc.
- Schedule IV (RCW 69.50.210) - Examples could include: Barbital, diazepam, fludiazepam, halazepam, lorazepan, phenobarbital, etc.
- Schedule V (RCW 69.50.212)
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.
- Any substantiated finding of the use of excessive force against a member of the public, or a substantiated finding of racial discrimination or corrupt acts against another employee or a member of the public.
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.
