Police Officer Recruit (Jul-Aug)

Police Officer Recruit (Jul-Aug)

Salary

$7,022.00 Monthly

Location

City of Bellingham, WA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

26-Police Officer Recruit

Department

Police Department

Opening Date

07/01/2026

Closing Date

8/31/2026 4:30 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Guild

• Description
• Benefits

Nature of Work

The City of Bellingham is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer Recruit.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

Why work for the Bellingham Police Department?

• The 2026 Recruit salary is $7,022/month. Upon entry to the Basic Law Enforcement Academy salary is $7,724/month. Upon graduation from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy the salary is $7,956. The salary range for a Full Performance Police Officer is $7,956-$10,236/month.
• Patrol Officers work a 1040 work schedule of five, 10.7 hour days on, four days off, five days on, four days off, five days on, five days off, repeating monthly.
• Training opportunities, the 1040 work schedule allows for one full training day a month.
• Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education. For more information regarding salary, benefits, specialty units and premiums, view our recruitment page.

NOTE: Employees will remain in the Recruit classification in probationary status prior to and while attending the Police Academy. With successful completion of the Police Academy, the employee shall move to the Full Performance Police Officer (Download PDF reader) classification in a non-competitive promotion effective the first day of the pay period immediately following such academy completion. A standard 12-month Civil Service probationary period applies for all officers following placement into the Full Performance Police Officer classification.

Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Police Guild (Police Officers) Collective Bargaining Unit and City policy. Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and level of education.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 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

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Applicants interested in this position must complete testing through Public Safety Testing. Please visit the Upcoming Tests & Events on Public Safety Testing website for information regarding the testing process. Applicants that pass the written exam and physical ability test with Public Safety Testing and scores are made available to our agency between 7/1/26 - 8/31/26 will receive an invitation to apply.

Please visit the Public Safety Testing website (https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/) to schedule. Applicants must complete the written exam and pass the physical ability test through Public Safety Testing prior to being invited to apply.

Please note, if you receive an invitation to apply, you must apply no later than 4:30 P.M., on 9/11/26 in order to be considered for this specific process. Applicants that have successfully passed the exam through PST and scores have been released to our agency between 7/1/26 - 8/31/26 will have six (8) business days to complete the City of Bellingham application and Personal History Statement with Public Safety Testing.

Closing Date/Time: Mon. 8/31/26 4:30 PM PST

JOB SUMMARY:

Participates in formal and on-the-job training in law enforcement principles, techniques and procedures, departmental organization, rules, policies, and related laws. Also receives training in the use, care and maintenance of assigned equipment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Attends a 720 hour Basic Law Enforcement Academy, which will provide classroom and field instruction in basic police procedures, techniques and laws.

• Participates in on-the-job training under the direct supervision of an experienced training officer. Observes and assists experienced officers responding to calls and requests for police assistance.

• May assist in conducting investigations and participate in legal search and surveillance activities. Participates in range training as assigned.

• Attends meetings and prepares reports as assigned.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

• Performs related duties as directed.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in any and all property existing in the City of Bellingham and its environs. This involves working in a variety of environmental conditions and may require: walking, sitting or standing for long periods; running, climbing, jumping, or physical exertion in inclement weather; physical agility in slippery conditions, mountainous or uneven terrain, or in water. Officers work in unaccompanied automobile, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot patrol, maintaining contact with the dispatch center. There is exposure to high-risk situations which require emergency response procedures such as the use of masks, gloves, etc. to prevent contact with infectious diseases; and the use of protective clothing, equipment, firearms and other gear. While in uniform and/or driving a police vehicle, the Police Officer will not be allowed to use or display any tobacco product. Officers work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays. Physical abilities to perform the essential functions of the job including:

• Physical strength to restrain and control persons and physically defend self;
• Manual dexterity to operate a motor vehicle or handle tools and guns in the performance of assigned tasks, including keyboarding, grasping and reaching.
• Occasionally lift, push, carry and pull materials, objects or persons weighing up to 100 lbs using proper lifting techniques;
• Frequently sit, stand, walk or ride a bicycle;
• Occasionally run, jump, climb, balance, kneel, crawl or crouch;
• Frequently communicate verbally;
• Uncorrected vision in either eye of 20/100 or better, vision able to be corrected to 20/20 in better eye and 20/30 in lesser eye. Visual acuity including closeness, distance, color, peripheral and depth perception, with the ability to adjust focus and to read a computer screen and typewritten page.

Experience and Training

• Associates Degree or two years (90 quarter hours/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 (four years of military service may be substituted for two years of general education course work toward a degree at an accredited college or university)
• Bilingual proficiency highly desirable.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, background investigation, polygraph examination and fingerprinting. Subject to re-check every five years.
• Employment contingent upon passing a psychological and general medical evaluation.
• Employment contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test. (This position is considered a safety sensitive position; therefore, the pre-employment drug test includes testing for cannabis. Positive test results will exclude an applicant from being hired).
• Must pass physical fitness trainability standards of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, Red Cross certification for Infant/Child and Adult CPR and Standard First Aid.
• Valid Washington State drivers license by time of hire and good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire, with periodic submission of driving abstract per City policy.
• 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. Washington State residency by time of hire.
• No record of felony convictions.
• Misdemeanor convictions will also be reviewed. A misdemeanor conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant but offenses, by their nature and recentness, may reveal a lack of specific qualifications for this position.
• Police Officer Recruits must successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

Selection Process

You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along

Step 1: Applicants interested in this position must complete testing through Public Safety Testing. Please visit the Public Safety Testing website (https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/) for information regarding the testing process.

Step 2: Applicants that have successfully passed the exam through PST and scores have been released to our agency between 7/1/26 - 8/31/26 will receive an email invitation to apply with our agency. Candidate scores will be pulled from Public Safety Testing weekly. Applications will be reviewed weekly and candidate status will be updated accordingly.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service register that will be used to fill anticipated vacancies. This position is represented by a union.

Applicants must complete the written exam and pass the physical ability test through Public Safety Testing prior to being invited to apply. The City of Bellingham will use the scoring criteria recommended by Public Safety Testing.

Step 3: Candidates will be invited via email on a weekly basis to complete a City of Bellingham Employment Application. (Please note: if you do not hear from us within one (1) week of testing with Public Safety Testing, please contact Human Resources at (360)778-8228; the PHS is due by the date/time you apply.)

If you wish to claim Veterans' Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form and upload it to your application with your DD214.

Step 4: Qualified candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility register based on the Public Safety Testing written exam score in October 2026. Candidates will be notified of their application status regularly as incoming applications are reviewed. The top scoring 15 candidates or the top 25%, whichever is greater, will be referred to the Department for additional examinations, assessments, or tests. Additional examinations, assessments, or tests may include review of the Application Materials, Personal History Statement (PHS), and Interviews. Candidates may be removed from the eligibility register for failure to pass the additional examinations, assessments, or tests.

Please Note:

• Candidates may be removed for the reasons specified in Civil Service Rule Section 9 at any time throughout this process.
• Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individuals race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our benefits section for additional information.

This position is represented by the Police Guild bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the Police Guild labor agreement.

This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems LEOFF plan. LEOFF requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website for more information on LEOFF.

Civil Service Information

This position is subject to the Bellingham Civil Service Commission. When a vacancy occurs, the top fifteen candidates or the top 25% of the register will be forwarded to the department for further consideration. All new Civil Service employees are subject to a one-year probationary period. A candidate may challenge the scope, content, or method of an examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days following the date of the challenged examination. A candidate may also challenge the scoring of an examination or test, failure of the candidate on any part of an examination, or clerical error in examination results of any examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days of notification of the challenged result. The Examiner shall consider all timely filed protests and make appropriate corrections if an error is demonstrated.

Veterans Scoring Criteria

Applicants who have been honorably discharged from active military duty may be eligible to receive veterans scoring criteria points as provided by Washington State Law (RCW 41.04.010). If you wish to claim Veterans' Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form and upload it to your application with your DD214. For applicants claiming veteran preference on a promotional process per RCW 41.04.010, please refer to the job posting for further instructions or contact HR.

Employer City of Bellingham

Address 104 West Magnolia Street

Bellingham, Washington, 98225

Phone 360-778-8220

Website http://www.cob.org/employment