About the position
The City of Bellingham is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of certified Police Officer. This position performs fully responsible, professional, general duty police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. After a period of formal and on-the-job training, employees in this class are responsible for independent law enforcement duties ranging from average to considerable difficulty and performed under general supervision of a sergeant or other ranking officer. Work normally involves patrolling in an unaccompanied automobile, motorcycle, bicycle or foot patrol, and/or conducting detailed criminal investigations, traffic regulation, or community policing activities in a designated area on an assigned shift. Work involves a substantial element of danger and requires the responsible exercise of appropriate judgment in meeting critical emergency situations. Employees are sworn to act on behalf of the Police Department and the City of Bellingham and carry firearms in the performance of their duties.
Responsibilities
- Patrols a designated area of City on foot, bicycle, or in an automobile, motorcycle or small watercraft to investigate, deter and/or discover possible violations of criminal and vehicle (and/or boating) traffic laws, codes and/or ordinances.
- Responds to calls, complaints or reports of the actual, possible or potential occurrence of specific criminal activity and takes appropriate action.
- Participates in community policing activities: gains familiarity with individuals, groups, businesses and special issues of assigned community.
- Administers immediate assistance to citizens in critical and/or emergency situations where the security of lives and/or property may be endangered.
- Secures and controls crime scenes and administers aid, may gather and/or supervise the collection of evidence and witness statements.
- Appears in court to present evidence and testify against persons accused of crime.
- Develops and maintains required skills through participation in intermediate or advanced training classes in law enforcement methodology.
Requirements
- Successful completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy and active commission; OR successful completion of an approved law enforcement training academy.
- Associate degree or two years (90 quarter/60 semester hours) of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university, OR High School Diploma or equivalent, AND four years of active military service with honorable discharge.
- Bilingual proficiency highly desirable.
- Valid Washington State driver's license or ability to obtain within 30 days of Washington State residency and good driving record.
- Attainment of the age of 21 years.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, deferred action for childhood arrivals recipient, or a registered permanent resident able to work in the United States.
- No record of felony convictions.
Benefits
- 7.34 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time.
- 12 paid designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year.
- 216 hours of sick leave upon hire + accruals per collective bargaining agreement.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families.
- Life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
- Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Washington State Retirement plan (LEOFF) for retirement security.
- Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match.
