Police Officer (Lateral Entry)

City of Yakima•Yakima, WA

12d

About The Position

The Yakima Police Department seeks lateral-entry Police Officers focused on reducing violent crime through exceptional customer service and community policing. Police Officers are sworn, general-authority law enforcement officers who, under the general supervision of a commanding officer, perform public-safety and community-caretaking duties. These duties include preserving the peace, protecting life and property, enforcing laws and ordinances, deterring and preventing crime, investigating criminal activity, and providing public-safety education. Lateral applicants must meet the applicable experience and certification requirements. Washington State applicants must have two years of continuous full-time law-enforcement service with a Washington State civilian law-enforcement agency within the last three years and must possess and maintain Washington State Peace Officer Certification. Out-of-state applicants must have at least two of the last three years of continuous full-time service with a civilian law-enforcement agency, currently hold police-officer certification in their home state, and be able to complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Equivalency Examination within one year after employment. Lateral status is verified by WSCJTC based on certification and training records. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; be able to read and write English; have a high school diploma or equivalent; and be in good health and of good moral character. Selection includes a pre-selection interview, situational-based assessment, pre-suitability testing, polygraph, psychological and medical examinations, drug screening, and a comprehensive background investigation. Applicants must meet the stated vision requirements and possess a valid Washington State driver's license. Verification of peace-officer certification and all training records, including syllabi or curricula with training titles and hours, must accompany the application. Work takes place indoors and outdoors, including adverse weather, remote locations, and noisy work areas. The role involves rotating shifts, night hours, weekends and holidays, short-notice call-backs, and overtime associated with incidents or critical deadlines. Officers may encounter stressful and life-threatening situations and the hazards associated with general-authority law enforcement. Regular and reliable attendance is required. The City of Yakima is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

At least two years of law-enforcement experience for lateral status.
Washington State applicants: two years of continuous full-time law-enforcement service with a Washington State civilian law-enforcement agency within the last three years.
Out-of-state applicants: at least two of the last three years of continuous full-time law-enforcement service with a civilian law-enforcement agency, and ability to complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Equivalency Examination within one year after employment.
Out-of-state applicants must have the training and experience necessary to qualify for certification under Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission standards and must be currently certified as a police officer in their home state of employment.
Washington State applicants must possess and maintain Washington State Peace Officer Certification.
Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and able to read and write English.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Must be in good health and of good moral character.
Must pass a pre-selection interview, situational-based assessment, pre-suitability testing, polygraph examination, psychological examination, medical examination, drug screening, and comprehensive background investigation.
Must meet vision standards: normal color vision and visual acuity of at least 20/100 in each eye, corrected to 20/20 in the better eye and 20/30 in the lesser eye.
Must obtain, possess, and maintain a valid Washington State driver's license.
Submit peace-officer certification verification and all training records, including syllabi or curricula listing training titles and corresponding hours.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and city laws and ordinances, City policies and procedures, records-retention practices, public-disclosure and confidentiality standards, and professional ethics.
Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, policies, procedures, and regulations; obtain information through interviews, interrogations, and observation; and recognize the limits of police authority and the rights of individuals.
Ability to learn and apply modern police methods and techniques; identify complex problems; establish facts; and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to make timely, sound judgments; analyze situations quickly and objectively; respond calmly under emergency conditions; and handle stressful situations and upset individuals with firmness, courtesy, confidence, and tact.
Ability to work independently, sustain attention to detail, meet deadlines, manage competing tasks, and adapt to changing priorities and demands.
Strong analytical, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly with people from diverse backgrounds and prepare and present complex information.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and respect across diverse communities and organizations.
Ability to receive feedback and direction, maintain confidentiality and discretion, and make informative and persuasive presentations in public settings.
Ability to confront and apprehend offenders using command presence, voice control, and physical force, up to and including deadly force.
Ability to operate computers, fax and copy machines, telephones, two-way radios, cameras, breathalyzers, and emergency-vehicle equipment; carry, maintain, and proficiently use firearms.
Ability to work extended hours as needed.

Responsibilities

Enforce laws and ordinances and comply with applicable laws, regulations, directives, and supervisory guidance.
Maintain current knowledge of law-enforcement developments, legal decisions, department operations, and assigned areas of responsibility.
Patrol assigned areas by police vehicle, bicycle, or on foot; respond to service requests; identify public-safety hazards; investigate suspicious activity; deter, detect, and investigate crime; apprehend criminals and traffic offenders; facilitate traffic flow; investigate collisions; and provide public assistance.
Protect crime and accident scenes; identify, document, collect, and safeguard evidence and stolen property; aid injured people; locate and interview witnesses; interrogate, arrest, and confine offenders; and recommend crime-prevention measures.
Investigate assigned cases, interview victims, suspects, and witnesses, collect and submit evidence for analysis, prepare investigative reports, and submit cases for prosecution.
Prepare factual reports and accurate activity notes and logs; provide unbiased court testimony; and maintain confidentiality.
Operate law-enforcement equipment, including radios, cameras, computers, breathalyzers, and emergency-vehicle equipment; carry firearms and maintain proficiency with them.
Establish effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, law-enforcement officials, the public, service agencies, and news media as permitted by law and department directives.
Comply with laws, policies, procedures, regulations, and sound police practices; promote discipline and a constructive work atmosphere; and support organizational change.
Apply community-policing values, including citizen involvement, service orientation, and proactive problem-solving; support department programs and volunteer groups.
Attend training, participate in specialized units and assignments, and provide training to employees, volunteers, and citizens.
Promote cooperation, coordination, and efficient use of resources; improve operations and work processes; and provide exceptional service to internal and external customers.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance and perform other related duties as assigned.