Exceptional Police Officer

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

The City of Bellevue Police Department has an exciting opportunity for Police Officers who have recently received their Academy certification, but who do not qualify as laterals due to not having less than 2 years of law enforcement experience. An exceptional police officer is defined as a Police Officer:

• Who possess a valid and current peace officer certificate from a state training commission that is recognized by the State of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, and
• Has less than two consecutive (2) years of police experience.

We are interested in those who have a passion for community service and are looking for a new opportunity to serve the City of Bellevue. Our mission is to provide a safe place to live, work, and visit through quality law enforcement practices delivered by dedicated professionals. We focus our efforts and resources to Reduce Crime, Reduce the Fear of Crime, and Enhance the Quality of Life for all who call Bellevue home.

Essential duties and responsibilities include patrolling a designated area of the city in a radio-equipped vehicle, on a motorcycle, or on foot to preserve law and order, prevent or discover the commission of crime, and enforce motor vehicle regulations. Other duties include answering calls and complaints involving emergencies, automobile accidents, criminal complaints, and other misdemeanors and felonies; conducting investigations, gathering evidence, obtaining witnesses, making arrests, and transporting suspects; interviewing persons with complaints and inquiries and attempting to make the proper disposition or direct them to proper authorities; acting as jailer or bailiff; serving warrants when assigned; giving information to the public regarding laws and ordinances; appearing in court, giving testimony, and presenting evidence as necessary; administering first aid in emergency situations; preparing detailed written reports of investigations; and performing related work as required.

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for the Exceptional Police Officer position at the time of application:

• Possess a valid and current peace officer certificate from a state training commission that is recognized by the State of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, but
• Have less than two consecutive (2) years of full-time employment as a Police Officer, with no more than 60 month break in service from when you left your last police position to the time of submitting your application with the Bellevue Police Department.
• If prior service was outside of WA State out of state officers, you will be enrolled in and must pass an equivalency academy within the first year of employment (on normal duty time).

Additional minimum requirements include being at least 21 years of age at the time of application, being a US Citizen OR Lawful permanent resident OR Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient with employment authorization from USCIS, having a high school diploma, GED or equivalent education, ability to speak, read and write in the English language, being in excellent physical condition, possessing, or being able to obtain and retain a Washington State driver's license prior to being hired, successfully passing a background investigation that includes a complete criminal records check, a polygraph examination, and a psychological examination, and satisfactorily completing a medical examination per the Public Safety Civil Service Commission standards.

Applicants must have vision correctable to 20/20 in the better eye and 20/30 in the lesser eye. Applicants wearing eyeglasses or hard contacts must have uncorrected vision no worse than 20/200 in each eye. Applicants wearing soft contacts must be able to provide verifiable documentation that soft contacts have been worn regularly for at least one (1) year prior to application. Meets minimum vision acuity standards with soft contact lenses, and there are no indications of corneal damage, or conditions of the eye which might require discontinuation of soft contact use.

Successful exceptional officer candidates may be eligible for up to a $10,000.00 hiring bonus and moving expense reimbursement for up to $7,500 for documented moving expenses if relocating from Out-of-State. In addition to the benefits overview on the second tab, Police Officers are also eligible for the following benefits as outlined in the Bellevue Police Officers Guild CBA (Download PDF reader): Education incentive, 4% premium pay for 10 specialty job assignments, Workout while on duty (three hours per week), Receive thirteen (13) traditional holidays in lieu of 10 observed holiday and 2 additional personal days, Comprehensive Quartermaster program that supplies equipment, uniform, and weapons, Generous professional development and training opportunities (Over 140 hours / year), Tuition reimbursement program for bachelor's degree in an approved field of study, Police Officers receive 10 hours of leave credit on and in lieu of thirteen (13) traditional holidays in accordance with Bellevue Police Officer Guild agreement.

Veteran's Preference for candidates with qualifying military experience. Any prior military service members must have received an honorable and/or qualifying discharge as defined in RCW . Must present a record or receipt of United States department of defense discharge documents DD214, NGB – 22 or their equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes service as honorable and/or qualifying per RCW .

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Driving: Automatic: Any DUI conviction within the past 5 years. Any other criminal traffic violation within the past 2 years. Examples include: Reckless Driving, Negligent Driving, or Hit & Run Driving. Suspension or revocation of your driver's license (for any traffic violation) within 1 year of the date of employment application. Potential: Applicants' driving record shows a continuing and/or recent pattern of poor decision making.

Drug Usage - The City of Bellevue is a Drug Free Workplace. The use of illegal drugs referred to in this acknowledgement means the use of drugs which are unlawful under the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act in this state or its equivalent in any other jurisdiction. (Misuse of Prescription drugs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.) Simple possession of most of the following substances will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be grounds for disqualification. Note that any use or abuse of drugs may be grounds for disqualification or contribute to rejection during the background investigation; these are merely the automatic disqualifiers.

Criminal Activity: Automatic: Any adult felony conviction. Any juvenile felony conviction within the past 5 years. Any felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice capacity (including employee, volunteer, intern, and reserve positions). Potential: Juvenile felony conviction will be carefully reviewed. Candidates with juvenile felony convictions occurring within the last five years will be disqualified. An applicant's criminal record, including all arrests, prosecutions, deferred prosecutions, "Alford" pleas, and non-conviction information will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification. Applicants maintain an on-going relationship with individuals who have been convicted of felony crimes and/or who are reputed to be involved in recent or current felonious activity. Commission of a felony crime (non-conviction). Applicant has criminal proceedings pending or is under investigation for a crime. Applicant has been involved in significant misdemeanor activity. Applicant's history shows a pattern of thefts. Commission of any crime of violence, including domestic violence. Commission of any sexual offense within the past five years.

Employment: Automatic: Any prior military service members must have received a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW . Applicant must present a record or receipt of United States department of defense discharge documents DD214, NGB – 22 or their equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes service as honorable and/or qualifying. Potential: An applicant's employment history, including a pattern of unexcused absences, discipline, any terminations, or leaving an employer in lieu of termination, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.

Financial: Automatic: Willful failure to pay income tax or court ordered child support. Potential: An applicant's financial history, including excessive credit card debt or unresolved accounts in collection, will be thoroughly assessed and maybe grounds for disqualification.

Military: Automatic: Any prior military service members must have received a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW . Applicant must present a record or receipt of United States department of defense discharge documents DD214, NGB – 22 or their equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes service as honorable and/or qualifying.

The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept