Police Officer

Police Officer

Salary

$73,100.88 - $132,963.84 Annually

Location

City of Spokane, WA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

901-2026

Department

Police

Opening Date

04/06/2026

Closing Date

12/28/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

CLASS SUMMARY

Before you apply, make sure to take the written and physical Public Safety Tests. Sign up here.

This position is for applicants who are not currently a Police Officer for a different department and have not completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

For more detailed information about becoming a City of Spokane Police Officer, visit the SPD Recruitment Website.

EXAMPLES OF JOB FUNCTIONS

• Patrols a designated area on foot or in a radio and computer equipped vehicle to preserve law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of crime, to direct traffic and to enforce traffic and parking regulations.
• Answers calls and investigates complaints involving accidents, fires, misdemeanors and felonies; investigates suspicious activities. Administers first aid, interviews witnesses, gathers information and evidence, makes arrests, prepares reports, testifies as witness in court.
• Exercises powers of arrest and control; defends self and uses force and deadly force; enforces motor vehicle laws; operates vehicle under emergency conditions and provides emergency assistance; responds to crime scenes and performs criminal investigations; participates in special operations.
• May be assigned, on a permanent or shift basis, to such specialized technical or administrative duties as: working police desk, maintenance of criminal records, license inspection, photographic and identification work, traffic safety training, field training, radio operation, etc. Advises public on laws and ordinances, provides general information and otherwise assists the public.
• Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

NOTE: Before applying, please review disqualifiers and the Spokane Police Department Hiring Guidelines here.

Police Officer - Entry Level Requirements

(Applicants must meet all requirements when they apply.)

• Education: Completion of high school or equivalent.

General Requirements

• Must be 20 years of age at application and 21 years of age at the time of appointment; within normal weight range for height.
• Physical requirements for this position, including eyesight, hearing, and other physical abilities are consistent with state law and guidelines. All successful candidates who have been offered a position will be required to pass a post-offer physical and psychological examination prior to appointment.
• All applicants must possess a valid drivers license
• A police record may be grounds for rejection.

Please note - Entry-level and certified employees will have an 18-month probationary period upon hire.

EXAMINATION DETAILS

Recruitment for this job classification is open until further notice.

Police Officer applicants must pass the Public Safety Testing, Inc. examination and PAT, to be eligible for hire by City of Spokane. After you have completed the PST, you will be invited to apply for the position. PST scores must be less than 15 months old.

Sign up through the Public Safety Testing, Inc. website, here.

NOTE: The standard PST written test cost is $65, which allows applicants to choose up to two agencies to receive their results. Applicants may select more agencies, for additional fees. Applicants who apply to agencies other than the City of Spokane, or who take the test at a date or location other than the designated free test date in Spokane, are responsible for all costs incurred.

Completion of a Personal History Statement is required.

You will be required to complete a Personal History Statement through the Public Safety Testing website. This documentation will be used to conduct a background investigation. It is a MANDATORY MINIMUM REQUIREMENT to complete the Personal History Statement.

Upon request and at time of application, the City of Spokane will provide alternative accessible tests, to individuals with disabilities that impair manual, sensory, or speaking skills needed to take the test, unless the test is intended to measure those skills.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status. As a Fair Chance employer, the City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.

• Double-time pay for large special events
• Shift differential
• Provided uniforms & equipment
• Education incentive pay
• 4% match deferred comp
• Paid academy

SCHEDULE

Patrol schedule that allows for 4 and 5 day weekends, as well as 2 weekends off a month.

PAID TIME OFF

• 148 entry-level vacation hours accrued on a bi-weekly basis.
• 60 hours of Floating Holidays (these count as personal time you can take whenever you like).
• Accrual of 6 hours of sick time on a bi-weekly basis. 120 hours starting sick time for lateral hires.

RETIREMENT

• Washington State LEOFF 2 Retirement Pension
• City-Sponsored Deferred Compensation Plan with 4% match and an extra 2.2% contribution regardless of contribution.

INSURANCE

• Medical
• $175/month into a Health Reimbursement Account
• Vision
• Dental
• Life Insurance
• Excellent Long Term Disability Plan
• PORAC LDF
• Flexible Health Spending Account
• Supplemental Insurance
• LegalShield/ID Shield
• Pet Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance
• HRA VEBA

SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL PAY

• Swing Shift 0.75%
• Mid/Power Shift 1.5%
• Graveyard Shift 3.25%

EDUCATION INCENTIVE PAY

2024:

AA or AS 2%

BA or BS 4%

2025:

AA or AS 2.5%

BA or BS 4.5%

2026:

AA or AS 3%

BA or BS 5%

WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employer Sponsored Bus Pass (ESBP) Program

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Tuition reimbursement
• Fully paid uniform and equipment
• Paid academy
• Longevity Pay

01

Before applying directly with City of Spokane you must have taken and passed the Public Safety Testing, Inc. examination and have added the City of Spokane as one of your agencies. City of Spokane will not accept PST scores older than 15 months. (You do not need to reapply if you have already done so) If you answer "no" to this question, your application will not be considered. Have you taken the Public Safety Testing, Inc. examination for Police Officer and added the City of Spokane as one of your agencies within the past 15 months?

• Yes
• No

02

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ACKNOWLEDGMENT By continuing in the application process, you certify that you meet the minimum qualifications and are eligible to participate in the examination for this position.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you posses a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

05

Can you, after employment, submit proof of your legal right to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Spokane

Address 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

City Hall, 4th Floor

Spokane, Washington, 99201

Phone 509.625.6160

Website http://my.spokanecity.org