Police Officer - Entry Level

ENTRY LEVEL POLICE OFFICER TESTING NOTICE

In order to qualify and apply for this position, you must have tested and currently be on our list of candidates with Public Safety Testing (PST).

Policing.... A call to duty. Are you up for the challenge? If you are looking for more than "just a job" and want to make a positive difference in your community every day, consider a career in law enforcement! Policing is a career with serious responsibilities and abounding rewards that really count in today's world. Few careers offer more opportunities for self‑fulfillment than service as a law enforcement officer.

Do you have what it takes?

Please read the below carefully before applying for this position.

Step 1:
Applicants interested in this position must have complete testing through Public Safety Testing before applying for this position.

Step 2:
After candidates complete the above testing and you are on our list with Public Safety Testing you may complete the City of Oak Harbor application of employment. Please DO NOT apply for this position unless you have first tested with PST and added your scores to OHPD list.

Step 3:
The top applicants based on PST score and application material will be invited to an interview to establish an eligibility list. Candidates that are selected for interviews will be required to participate in person. You will be notified of the date of the first‑round interviews.

RCW 41.04.010 provides for a veterans' scoring criteria status to be added to the passing grade of certain veterans at the completion of all testing. If you believe that you are eligible to be considered for such preference you should upload and submit your DD‑214 to your application to determine eligibility.

The Oak Harbor Police Department is an accredited agency comprised of Administration, Patrol, Detectives and Special Operations. The authorized force consists of 29 Commissioned Personnel and 12 Non‑Commissioned Personnel. The department is known for its successful community involvement and problem‑solving approach to law enforcement. Additionally, the Police Department has a city jail as part of its responsibility, which is staffed by City Correctional staff and City Police Support Officers (PSO).

The department is proud of its increased commitment to training, including an internal bi‑monthly training program, inter‑agency training, as well as outside training opportunities for staff. Other areas the department participates in include a Community Advisory Board, Reserve Officer Unit, Explorer Post and Citizens Volunteers. The Department has strong cooperative relationships with local agencies and participates in regional law enforcement, communications and emergency management task forces and organizations.

The department enjoys continued quality relationships with the U.S. Navy and the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station located in and adjacent to the City of Oak Harbor. We take pride in providing services for our community and the variety of events which occur in the City each year, including 4th of July, National Night Out, Oak Harbor Music Festival, and the Whidbey Island Marathon.

Officers work on a squad with a 3/12 schedule, rotating two months on days and two months on nights schedule. Detectives work a 4/10 schedule.

The compensation begins with a pre‑academy recruit level. We also offer education and longevity pay and great benefits! (See benefits tab)

We are a progressive department, anticipating department and community needs now and for the future!

Under general supervision, Police Officers perform police services in accordance with the mission, goals, and objectives of the Oak Harbor Police Department, and in compliance with governing federal, state, and local laws. It is the responsibility of police officers to safeguard the public peace, protect life and property, prevent crime, enforce the law, protect the rights of all persons and generally uphold the community‑articulated standards.