Police Officer - Lateral

Police Officer - Lateral Salary

$83,670.70 - $101,702.22 Annually

Location

Bend, OR

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026.08

Department

Police

Opening Date

03/13/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Description

Benefits

Questions About the Role

This recruitment is only open to current police officers or those who meet the minimum qualifications outlined in the minimum qualifications section of this job announcement.

The City of Bend Police Department is actively seeking qualified Lateral Officer applicants to join our dynamic team as Police Officers. Were seeking passionate individuals to join our team. Serving a vibrant city of over 106,000 residents, we pride ourselves on our commitment to community policing and cutting-edge innovation.

As a member of the Bend Police Department, youll be part of a professional law enforcement agency that champions teamwork, integrity, and excellence. This position is represented by the Bend Police Association and is FLSA non-exempt (overtime eligible), offering you the chance to advance your career while making a significant impact in our community.

Classification Framework:

• Class Specifications | Police Officer | Class Spec Details
• $10,000.00 Hiring Incentive
• BPD will offer new lateral police officers that possess a police certification through Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) or state equivalent.
• $5,000.00 to be paid in lump sum during normal payroll cycle
• $5,000.00 upon successful completion of probationary period, to be paid in a lump sum during the normal payroll cycle

Job Highlights for Lateral Officers

• Starting Salary: $87,857.52 up to $114,668 (with Advanced DPSST certification)
• 40 Hours Vacation front loaded
• 40 Hours Sick front loaded
• Moving expenses reimbursement (up to $3,000)
• Uniforms and Gear: Supplied
• Work Schedule: 11.25-hour schedule, four working days followed by four days off to enjoy Central Oregon
• Wellness Programs: On-duty workouts, onsite mental health clinician, functional fitness, and more
• Educational Reimbursements: Available
• Incentives: Walking, biking, or carpooling to work
• Community Enhancement Program: Additional 2% to gross wages
• Language Fluency: Qualify for a $2.00 per hour increase for fluency in languages other than English, as approved by the Chief of Police
• VA On-the-Job training program available for our Veterans
• Additional Benefits: As noted within the Collective Bargaining Agreement

Lateral Opportunities

For experienced lateral candidates who are certified officers and have successfully completed their previous agencies Field Training program, we offer competitive wages and benefits based on your level of police experience. The pay scale matrix and other lateral incentives are outlined below:

• Pay Step 2: $7,321.46 (6-18 months of solo officer experience)
• Pay Step 3: $7,687.54 (18-30 months of solo officer experience)
• Pay Step 4: $8,071.82 (30-42 months of solo officer experience)
• Pay Step 5: $8,475.52 (42 or more months of solo officer experience)
• Lateral Police Officers may earn up to an additional 10% or 15% premium pay (depending on qualifications through DPSST)

Why Bend?

Our police officers demonstrate unwavering dedication in their service. During their time off, they enjoy the benefit of residing in a region that boasts over 290 days of sunshine annually, to take full advantage of Central Oregon.

• Floating the Deschutes River
• Skiing at Mt. Bachelor
• Exploring Smith Rock State Park
• Enjoying the natural beauty of Cascade Lakes for hiking, camping and scenic views
• Hunting and Fishing
• Old Mill District: restaurants with review views, walking paths, shopping and an amphitheater for concerts
• Last Blockbuster: visit the world's last remaining Blockbuster Video store for a walk down memory lane

What Youll Do

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification. Shown are duties intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

As A Police Officer you will:

• Carries out the mission of the agency as defined in the mission statement; models and promotes the core values of the organization.
• As a first responder to incidents, you serve as a direct link between the department and the public. Duties involve responding to and investigating incidents and crime scenes, taking action at incidents, proactively patrolling assigned areas, engaging in information leading policing activities and making independent decisions to deter criminal activity.
• Enforcing laws and ordinances, making arrests, preserving crime scene evidence and performing preventative community policing.
• May be assigned to specialized units or teams in the department.
• Serves arrest and search warrants.
• Directs traffic and patrols areas during incidents or any other occasion of a special or emergency nature.
• Investigates crashes, completes reports, makes arrests or issues citations; renders first aid.
• Conducts investigations concerning various types of crime, interviews witnesses and suspects, takes photographs, fingerprints and gathers evidence.
• Attends judicial proceedings, presents evidence and provides credible testimony.
• Participates in departmental meetings and attends in-service training classes and schools.
• Books in prisoners and transports prisoners when necessary.
• Assists other law enforcement agencies.
• Completes reports, conduct follow-up investigations and re-contacts.
• Renders assistance to the public.
• Complies with the safety requirements of the position and actively promotes safe work practices.
• In an emergency event or an officially declared State of Emergency, responds as directed to ensure the restoration of essential public services, facilities and infrastructure.
• Provide customer service and communicate effectively with citizens and coworkers.
• Performs other duties as assigned or directed.

Ideal Candidate Knowledge

• Various law enforcement techniques and procedures.
• Various state and local criminal, traffic and civil laws, codes and ordinances, and their application.
• Federal and State laws regarding custody, interrogations, search and seizure, and other procedural aspects; knowledge of applicable case law, such as court decisions pertaining to search, seizure, and arrest.
• Departmental policies and procedural manual, guidelines, and chain of command.
• Basic investigative techniques.
• Detection and basic identification of hazardous and controlled substances and their effects.
• Operation of various types of firearms and other police equipment.
• Safety and health hazards.
• Use of defensive tactics.
• Court procedures and rules of evidence.
• Report writing techniques, crime coding system, and case preparation techniques.
• Correct and safe use of police equipment.
• Community resources, such as social services, are available for people in crisis situations.
• Basic crime prevention techniques and information.
• Basic problem-solving techniques and methodology.
• Geographical layout of city.
• Basic interview techniques.
• Principles of First Aid.

Ability

• Analyze complex situations and develop effective responses that may include law enforcement or the utilization of other community resources.
• Identify criminal activities and decide upon appropriate response.
• Evaluate high-risk situations and maintain flexibility; defuse tense situations.
• Make appropriate decisions as to response; use discretion as required and calmly deal with stressful situations.
• Apply knowledge obtained through past experiences and exposures along with skills obtained in training sessions in assessing new situations.
• Apply applicable laws and procedures to specific situations and issue correct citations as applicable.
• Safely operate a police vehicle in a pursuit situation and use defensive driving techniques.
• Operate, use and maintain a variety of police tools in a safe and effective manner, such as police radios, various types of weapons and defensive tools, handcuffs, gas mask, speed measuring devices, Intoxilyzer, flares, fire extinguisher, fingerprint kit, first aid kit, and other specialized equipment.
• Check equipment and tools for condition and performance.
• Judge when and what type of force is reasonable based on the circumstances.
• Effectively observe assigned areas to identify problems and probable violations of laws.
• Analyze crime scene requirements and investigation techniques.
• Collect, maintain and transport seized evidence in a safe manner.
• Provide testimony in a competent manner.
• Interview/interrogate witnesses and suspects; prepare clear reports and concise diagrams of events; remember names, faces, and details of incidents.
• Communicate well, both orally and in writing, using good grammar and spelling.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports and incident summaries in a timely manner.
• Deal with people of diverse cultural backgrounds and personalities in a tactful and effective manner.
• Access police systems on a computer as needed.
• Must be able to work various shifts and in inclement weather as assigned.
• Lift heavy gear and traffic hazards.
• Develop and maintain physical fitness to subdue suspects and use appropriate physical force, move vehicles, and carry people.
• Be flexible and available for rapid response needs and shifting priorities.
• Keep updated on criminal intelligence, criminal/municipal statutes, training events and other briefing bulletins.
• Must be able to be observant and aware while performing multiple tasks.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a minimum age of 21 years.
• Have completed a law enforcement field training program or passed a probationary period of not less than one (1) year with a law enforcement agency as a full-time sworn officer.
• Have been employed as a full-time sworn officer within the last five (5) year period prior to the appointment of this position.
• Be able to obtain reciprocity or already have; law enforcement certification by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Required Licenses & Certifications

• Ability to successfully pass a