Police Officer

Overview

Police Officer (Exceptional Hire) – City of Tacoma

Salary: $98,571.20 - $ Annually

Location:

Tacoma, WA

Job Type: Classified

Job Number: 42020-26

Department:
Tacoma Police Department

Division:
Police

Opening Date: 01/02/2026

Closing Date: 6/30/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

The City of Tacoma is seeking in-state Police Officer candidates (Exceptional Hire) to join the Tacoma Police Department.

A Police Officer applicant is determined to be an "Exceptional Hire" candidate if they have successfully completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission law enforcement academy AND meet the other minimum qualifications for this classification - see below.

Candidates hired from this exam will be placed at step 2 ($54.02)
* in the hiring range. Please note, step placement is at the discretion of the hiring authority and is subject to change at any time.

• Patrol and Public Safety:
  Patrol assigned areas to prevent crime, enforce laws and ordinances, ensure traffic safety, and provide general public assistance.
• Emergency and Incident Response:
  Respond to crimes, accidents, and calls for service; secure scenes, provide first aid, and perform preliminary investigations.
• Law Enforcement Actions and Investigations:
  Detect, apprehend, and arrest suspects; execute warrants; collect evidence; prepare reports; and testify in court.
• Community Interaction and Coordination:
  Engage with citizens, other agencies, and city personnel to exchange information, resolve issues, and support community safety.
• Equipment and Skill Proficiency:
  Maintain proficiency with police equipment, firearms, vehicles, computers, and specialized tools; participate in training as required.

• Knowledge of laws, policies, and law enforcement procedures including state, county, and city laws; department policies; rules of evidence; and modern policing practices.
• Patrol, investigation, and crime scene skills; ability to respond to emergencies, preserve evidence, conduct preliminary investigations, and take appropriate action.
• Proficiency with equipment and technology: operating police vehicles, firearms, specialized equipment, and basic computer applications.
• Communication and reporting abilities:
  Clear and effective oral and written communication, including preparing accurate reports and presenting testimony in court.
• Judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving:
  Ability to analyze situations, exercise independent judgment, and adopt effective courses of action under stress.
• First aid and emergency response knowledge:
  Basic first aid skills and the ability to provide immediate assistance at crime and accident scenes.
• Interpersonal and community-relations skills:
  Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals, maintain cooperative relationships, and support community policing efforts.
• Safe and lawful work practices:
  Knowledge of defensive and legal driving practices and adherence to safety standards and departmental guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications

• Reside in Washington State
• Must be a citizen of the United States of America or a lawful permanent resident
• Must be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D.
• Less than twelve (12) months of experience as a fully commissioned law enforcement officer in the state of Washington, with no more than a 12-month break in service.
  
  Note:
  
  Non-patrol sworn officer experience, such as jail/corrections/court, or dispatch, does not count toward the required experience in calculating the total months of post-commissioned experience.
• Successful completion of law enforcement academy training at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission

Note:

Applicants who failed probation, were terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, are about to be terminated, or would not be considered for rehire by their former department or agency, are not eligible for an exceptional hire position.

• Current possession of a Washington State Peace Officer Certification
• Valid Washington State Driver's License
• First Aid and CPR card upon hire with maintenance thereafter, not required to apply