Lateral Police officer

Salary: $39.80 - $46.60 Hourly
Location : OR 97068, OR
Job Type: Full Time Represented
Job Number: 202000074
Department: Police
Opening Date: 12/01/2025

Description
The City of West Linn is seeking individuals to join our team of dedicated and caring law enforcement professionals as a Lateral Police Officer.
A career with the City of West Linn Police Department offers exposure to a variety of opportunities including working with neighborhoods, businesses, community groups, and citizens as well as protection, prevention, enforcement, investigations, and emergency response. All individuals interested in a rewarding and challenging career providing excellence in policing to a community where equity, diversity and inclusion are valued are encouraged to apply. Up to 17% pay incentives possible at time of appointment. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Examples of Duties

(An employee in this classification may perform any of the following duties; however, these examples do not include all the specific tasks that an employee may be expected to perform)

• Contributes to a positive work environment.
• Maintains a positive relationship with fellow employees and with persons outside the City organization.
• Performs active patrol of City roads and residential and business areas of the City and enforces traffic laws, criminal laws and City ordinances.
• Takes and prepares full and comprehensive reports on activities within the officer's jurisdiction.
• Responds to a variety of radio calls, including traffic accidents, thefts, burglaries, rapes, family disputes, juvenile disputes, large parties, animal related calls, etc., taking appropriate action.May provide delivery services as requested.
• Investigates accidents and criminal complaints, make arrests and issues citations. May transport prisoners as required by law.
• Assists the public by answering questions regarding directions, laws, and ordinances; aiding stranded motorists; checking roads and street signs; reporting defects; and giving any other assistance needed by the public.
• May assist in crime prevention and public relation activities including making presentations to various groups.
• Appears in court as a witness, when necessary.
• Performs minor first aid at scenes of accidents, which sometimes include serious injuries, and directs traffic if necessary.
• Ensure the security of sensitive information and limit its dissemination to only approved certified personnel. This includes communications on the MDC, report writing computers and radio communications.

Qualifications

Lateral Police Officer Requirements:
Position performs all aspects of police duties. Lateral Applicants must have 2 years of prior law enforcement experience as well as a Basic Certification or out of state equivalent. Please include certificate with job application. Prior to appointment, successful candidate must pass pre-employment testing and screening process

Education:Must have a high school diploma or GED Certificate (An Associate Degree from an accredited college or university is preferred/desirable.) Up to 17% pay incentives possible at time of appointment.
Must be 21 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and possess a valid Driver's License at time of appointment and a good driving record required.

Training:

• Specialized skills and abilities to perform job include skill in Intoxilyzer and radar operation; firearms proficiency; safe motor vehicle operation in emergency situations, i.e., high speeds; ability to communicate effectively and clearly in written and verbal form; providing comprehensive and objective reports; and ability to comprehend instructions and act upon them accordingly. Preference will be given to applicants who have been assigned to a detective position and/or have significant investigative experience.
• Requires sufficient physical strength and agility to perform the work of this classification.

Supervision:
Received: Limited supervision from a Police Sergeant or an officer of higher rank who assigns work details and reviews work for conformance to departmental rules and regulations, policies and procedures, Federal, State and City laws.

Exercised: Supervision is not a normal responsibility of this position. May have input on the training of reserves. May give direction to other personnel in similar job function at comparable or subordinate levels, when serving as a primary officer on calls for service.

Communication:
Relationships outside the City organization include other police or enforcement agencies, children's services, behavioral health units, county courts, district attorney's office, county and state parole and probation officers, schools and criminals on a fairly frequent basis either in written or verbal form.
Contacts are made with other City departments (largely with municipal court) and on a less frequent basis all other departments.
Contact with the City's residents is frequent providing assistance, taking reports, issuing warnings, citations, arrests, etc. Often contact is of a negative enforcement nature with the general public.
Sensitive information is communicated both in the taking of reports and in the investigation of alleged criminal activity.

Cognitive Functions:
This position is not normally responsible for the development of new policies, procedures, systems and methodologies, though assistance may be requested in said development.
There is precedent available on which to base decisions made in most incidents. With the variety of situations an officer encounters, an officer is expected to judge each situation and act accordingly in a relatively short period of time.
The officer has discretionary decision making power on a regular basis regarding enforcement decisions; i.e., arrest or not arrest, issue a verbal warning or a citation, least likely, shoot or not shoot.
Errors that could be made in the normal course of work may result in civil or criminal suit against the officer and/or City or injury to or death of an officer or civilians.

Working Conditions:
Employees in this position drive and work in all types of weather and traffic conditions.
Officers are exposed to a variety of physical risks on a frequent and unpredictable basis which could result in personal injury, death, or property damage. Such exposures include but are not limited to exposure to threats against self and family members, verbal and physical assaults, communicable diseases, and mental or physical illnesses. Dangers are caused by contact with violent and ill people in unpredictable situations.
Rotating shifts, working weekends, and holidays is expected and occurs as a normal course of duty. Changes in shifts may occur with limited notice. Overtime, split days off and shifts, and double back shifts may occur on an unexpected but regular basis. Call back for court duty on a regular day off is to be expected.

Resource Accountability:
Officers are held accountable for the vehicles they drive and the equipment provided therein.
Officers make reports and maintain notebooks with sensitive information; however, they are not normally responsible for the maintenance of these records.
The job classification description does not constitute and employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the need of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Supplemental Information

The complete job description can be found here
The City of West Linn is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Some positions require pre-employment drug testing, passing a medical exam and/or a police background check. Job related reference checks will be conducted prior to employment being offered.

EEO Policy: The City of West Linn is committed to equal employment opportunity as a way to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified employees. Moreover, it is the intent of the City to actively support and comply with local, state and federal law. Accordingly:

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.

Veterans Preference: The City of West Linn provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application, providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.
SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS THROUGH THE CITY OF WEST LINN
The City of West Linn offers an excellent benefit package in support of your physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. Benefits vary depending on position and full-time or part-time status.

E.A.P Employee Assistance Program: Free legal services, financial services, will preparation, counseling services, and more.

Medical & Dental benefits. Select from two separate plan options offering flexibility when choosing a doctor, dentist or hospital. Both medical plans include alternative care as well as vision.

Paid Leave. Includes vacation & sick leave as well as 11 paid holidays per year along with judicial, military & bereavement leave.

Long Term Disability. 50% of salary up to $4,000 per month

Life Insurance. Provided by the city at no cost to the employee.
$50,000 for employee and $2,000 dependent coverage
$60,000 for sworn officers & $30,000 for non-sworn

Retirement. The city is a member of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and may contribute 6% gross pay on behalf of employee each payroll period. The city also offers a deferred compensation plan.

Social Security. As provided by Federal Law.

Educational Assistance. Up to $500.00 reimbursement per employee per fiscal year for tuition and books related to current job description of employee.

VEBA. Voluntary Employee Benefits Account. The city contributes to a Health Reimbursement Account on the employees behalf. These funds can be used for medical expenses and pre and post retirement.

FSA Flexible Spending Account. Option to set aside pre-tax money to cover eligible health & dependent child care expenses.

Additional benefits may be available through the employee's employment agreement or collective bargaining agreement.
01

U.S. Armed Forces Veterans: If you served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and are requesting to use veterans' preference points, please describe in detail your relevant training and transferable skills from your military service as it applies to the requirements of this position.
Enter N/A if you do not have military service.
02

I have successfully uploaded a comprehensive resume and cover letter addressing why I should be considered for this position.

• Yes

03

I understand that communication with applicants will be via email and that it is my responsibility to check my inbox as well as my spam/junk email for communication regarding my application and recruitment updates.

• Yes
• No

Required Question