Police Officer - Lateral

Skills

Lateral Police Officers are responsible for maintaining law and order, protecting life and property, and enforcing local, state, and federal laws and ordinances with minimal training. Officers will patrol assigned areas, respond and non‑emergency calls, conduct investigations, and engage with the community to promote safety and trust. This position requires integrity, sound judgment, strong communication skills, and a commitment to public service.

These duties involve multiple skills and may include but are not limited to the following depending on area of assignment, needs of the organization, emergency services or special projects:

• Patrols assigned areas of the City in a police car or on foot to deter and discover crime.
• Performs traffic enforcement, enforces ordinances, conducts DUI investigations, assists drivers in stalled vehicles.
• Administers emergency first aid to injured persons when safe to do so.
• Provides information to the public regarding crime prevention, laws, and ordinances; establishes and maintains good public relations with citizens.
• Initiates investigations of complaints, family disputes, collisions, and criminal activities; gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, documents statements and follows investigations through to completion; compiles related reports and appears in court to present information; contacts witnesses and arranges for court appearances.
• Establishes traffic control and police protection at fires and other incidents; checks and reports deficiencies in street lights, signs, and road surfaces.
• May assist in training new officers in basic patrol functions and related duties.
• Issues citations and serves warrants of arrest and court orders; arrests persons on misdemeanor or felony charges; handcuffs, searches, and secures their custody; transports suspects to jail; completes related reports.

• Testifies in court as required.
• Advise supervisor, orally and/or in writing, of activities, investigations and arrests.
• May be assigned to other divisions or other duties i.e. Investigations Unit, Community Resource Unit, Traffic Unit, etc. per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• H.S. Diploma or G.E.D. and have a combination of experience, education, and training that would provide the level of knowledge and ability required.
• Must be at least twenty‑one (21) years of age.
• No felony or DV convictions.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language proficiently.
• Must be able to pass physical ability testing, a thorough background investigation (which includes driving record, work history, credit history, conviction/arrest record, reference check, and drug history), an integrity interview, a psychological evaluation, a polygraph examination, and a Chief’s interview prior to being hired.
• Must pass pre‑employment medical testing for the ability to perform the essential functions of the position and maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Washington State driver’s license at time of appointment.
• Current Washington State Peace Officer Certification.
• One (1) year of continuous law enforcement experience with a law enforcement agency as a full‑time police officer and/or detective within the last twelve (12) months.
• Out‑of‑State laterals must successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s 80‑hour Equivalency Academy.
• Obtain a Washington State Police Officer Certification.

• Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or related field.

• Laws, RCW and ordinances
• Defensive tactics.
• Departmental policies, rules, and procedures.
• Investigative techniques.
• Interview techniques.
• Traffic collision investigative techniques, as required by the position.
• Basic City of Lacey geography (streets).
• How to research, organize and compile data.
• Driving rules and regulations.

• Situational…