Lateral Police Officer

Overview

To Qualify As a Lateral Police Officer, Candidate Must

• Have been employed and successfully completed probation within the last 36 months prior to application as a full-time, paid employee of a law enforcement agency.
• Law enforcement applicants must have satisfactory completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission basic law enforcement academy or its equivalent.
• Candidates with less than two (2) years of experience should apply as a Certified Police Officer.

Applicants should verify that the police training academy (CJTC summary site) they attended is recognized by the State of Washington. If your academy is not listed, you do not qualify as a lateral applicant and must apply as an entry-level officer by testing through

General Statement of Duties: Protects life and property through the enforcement of traffic, criminal and other State statutes, laws and City ordinances. Renders assistance to the public and investigates crimes for the purpose of detection, apprehension and prosecution.

Supervision: Direct supervision is from a superior officer and works performed in accordance with well-established procedures, although individuals must exercise independent judgment in emergency situations. Supervision is not normally a function of this classification, but incumbents may act as a "coach" for reserve officers for newly hired police officers.

• Patrols areas of the City in a patrol car or on foot to deter and discover crime and enforce traffic and criminal statutes and laws; issues citations to violators and arrests persons on misdemeanor or felony charges; handcuffs and searches arrested persons and takes them into custody as warranted; books arrested persons in a correctional facility.
• Responds to emergency requests for assistance or to crime-in-progress calls and takes initial action as the situation requires; secures the scene; administers first aid as necessary; interviews available victims and witnesses and gathers evidence; completes incident and arrest reports; arrests suspects for probable cases in felonies.
• Conducts detailed investigations into one or more type of crimes, including fraud, theft, burglary, narcotics, gambling, homicide, sex offenses and similar crimes; interviews witnesses, suspects and informants; analyzes and interprets data and evidence; performs stake outs and undercover operations, collects evidence; performs stake outs and undercover operations; collects evidence or stolen goods; processes and logs evidence into custody and sends evidence to crime lab for analysis if required;
  
  participates in criminal investigations conducted by other law enforcement agencies.
• Obtains search and arrest warrants; serves summons and subpoenas.
• Performs traffic enforcement duties; responds to and investigates vehicular accidents; summons emergency medical assistance as required; assists visitors by providing directions and other information; performs breathalyzer tests.
• Prepares case reports, confers with the City or District Attorney; testifies in court.
• Conducts security checks of homes and businesses.
• Makes presentations regarding law enforcement activities and crime prevention programs to school or community groups.
• Assists in training new police officers and reserve officers in basic patrol functions and related duties.
• Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge: Knowledge of modern methods, principles, techniques and practices of municipal law enforcement; knowledge of modern methods, principles, techniques and practices used in the prevention, investigation and suppression of criminal activities; knowledge of investigative and forensic techniques and procedures; knowledge of the rights of suspects and defendants; knowledge of the identification and preservation of physical evidence; knowledge of the behavior of criminals and causes underlying criminality.

Abilities: Ability to review a multitude of information related to a criminal incident; identify the key elements and develop a case which can be successfully prosecuted; to analyze stressful, hazardous or life-threatening situations quickly and objectively, and to determine…