Police Officer - Entry Level / Exceptional Hire / Lateral

Policing....A call to duty. Are you up for the challenge? If you are looking for more than "just a job" and want to make a positive difference in your community every day, consider a career in law enforcement! Policing is a career with serious responsibilities and abounding rewards that really count in today's world. Few careers offer more opportunities for self-fulfillment than service as a law enforcement officer. Do you have what it takes? About The Department The Oak Harbor Police Department is an accredited agency comprised of: Administration, Patrol, Detectives, and Special Operations. The authorized force consists of 29 Commissioned Personnel and 12 Non-Commissioned Personnel. The department is known for its successful community involvement and problem-solving approach to law enforcement. Additionally, the Police Department operates a city jail as part of its responsibilities, staffed by City Correctional staff and City Police Support Officers (PSOs). The department is proud of its increased commitment to training, including an internal bi-monthly training program, inter-agency training, as well as outside training opportunities for staff. Other areas the department participates in include; a Community Advisory Board, Reserve Officer Unit, Explorer Post and Citizens Volunteers. The Department has strong cooperative relationships with local agencies and participates in regional law enforcement, communications and emergency management task forces and organizations. The department enjoys continued quality relationships with the U.S. Navy and the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station located in and adjacent to the City of Oak Harbor. We take pride in providing services for our community and the variety of events which occur in the City each year, including; 4th of July, National Night Out, Oak Harbor Music Festival, and the Whidbey Island Marathon. Schedule Officers work on a squad with a 3/12 schedule, rotating two months on days and two months on nights. Detectives work a 4/10 schedule. Compensation and Benefits The compensation begins with a pre-academy recruit level. We also offer education, longevity pay, and great benefits! (See benefits tab). We are a progressive department, anticipating department and community needs now and for the future! Job Summary: Under general supervision, Police Officers perform police services in accordance with the mission, goals, and objectives of the Oak Harbor Police Department, and in compliance with governing federal, state, and local laws. It is the responsibility of police officers to safeguard the public peace, protect life and property, prevent crime, enforce the law, protect the rights of all persons and generally uphold the community-articulated standards. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ APPLICATION/TESTING PROCESS - ENTRY LEVEL Please read the information below carefully before applying for this position. Step 1 : Applicants interested in this position must have completed testing through Public Safety Testing before applying. Applicants must have a score of 70% or above on the written exam, pass the physical ability test (PAT), and complete the personal history statement (PHS) by the time they apply to be considered for this position. *Please review the list of disqualifiers on PST website prior to testing for our department and submitting an application. Step 2 : After candidates complete the above testing and you are on our list with Public Safety Testing you may complete the City of Oak Harbor application of employment. Please DO NOT apply for this position unless you have first tested with PST and added your scores to Oak Harbor Police Department (OHPD) list. Step 3 : The top applicants, based on PST scores and application materials, will be invited to an interview to establish an eligibility list. Candidates who are selected for interviews will be required to participate in person. You will be notified of the date of the first-round interviews. VETERAN CREDIT - RCW 41.04.010 provides for a veteran's scoring criteria status to be added to the passing grade of certain veterans at the completion of all testing. If you believe that you are eligible to be considered for such a preference, you should upload and submit your DD-214 to your application to determine eligibility. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ APPLICATION PROCESS - EXCEPTIONAL ENTRY OR LATERAL ENTRY Exceptional-Entry Requirements In addition to the entry level requirements, lateral entry applicants must meet the following requirements: Graduation from the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) or an equivalent accredited state or federal basic law enforcement academy accepted by WCJTC. Must be eligible for commissioned status or be a currently commissioned officer. Out-of-state and federal applicants must be able to attend the WSCTJC Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy (BLEEA) within six (6) months of hire. Lateral-Entry Requirements In addition to the entry level requirements, lateral entry applicants must meet the following requirements: Must have a minimum of twelve (12) months of continuous, full-time, commissioned service (post-academy) in a civilian municipal, county, state or federal law enforcement agency. Must have successfully completed an approved basic training program in Washington or another state accepted by WSCJTC. Must not have a break in law enforcement service exceeding 60 months. Out-of-state applicants must successfully complete the Washington State Equivalency Academy within six (6) months of hire. Step 1: Your application will be rated for training, education, experience, and quality of answers to the supplement questions. This rating will determine if you will move to the next step in the process. Applications are initially reviewed for minimum qualifications and compl