Police Officer - Entry Level

City of Bothell, WA

• $101K — $131K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • United States citizenship or lawful permanent residency required.
  • Must be at least 21 years old by certification date.
  • High school diploma required; Associate degree in Law Enforcement preferred.
  • Successfully pass medical exam and drug screening.
  • Valid State of Washington Driver's License required.
  • Must have a clean driving record and no serious criminal convictions.
  • Ability to complete necessary training and certifications as mandated by the State of Washington.

Responsibilities

  • Perform patrol duties and handle assignments independently.
  • Exercise sound judgment and discretion in emergencies.
  • Conduct criminal investigations under established protocols.
  • Engage in specialized law enforcement activities when assigned.
  • Complete thorough documentation and reports for legal proceedings.
  • Maintain department-issued equipment and vehicles, ensuring they are in good working order.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Retirement benefits under the Washington State Retirement System.
  • Paid vacation and holidays.
  • Opportunities for career advancement within the department.
  • Continuing education and training programs available.
Full Job Description
Salary : $101,054.64 - $131,944.08 Annually
Location : Police Department: 18410 101st Ave. NE, Bothell, WA
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Job Number: 4001 - Entry (GSI)
Department: Police
Division: Operations
Opening Date: 05/21/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Position Description
Job posting edited as of January 23rd, 2026: Salary information The salary for 2026 has been included.
Job posting edited as of January 1st, 2026: Salary information The anticipated salary for 2026 will include 2.7% cost of living adjustment (COLA). The above salary does not reflect the 2026 COLA of 2.7%.
ATTENTION: An application with the City of Bothell is not required at this time. Complete testing through Public Safety Testing and share your scores with the City of Bothell. Qualified candidates will be notified about the Oral Board. See the Recruitment Process below for more information.

Recruitment Process
An application with the City of Bothell is not required at this time. Please visit to complete the required testing and choose to share your test scores with City of Bothell. Test scores are reviewed on a regular basis and you will be notified by the Bothell Police Department if you are invited to move forward to an Oral Board.
Examples of Essential Duties

General Responsibilities
  • Police Officers are expected to perform conscientiously, proficiently and independently, any and all patrol assignments and duties of a regular patrol officer (or special assignments when so assigned). Individuals are responsible for recognizing the importance placed on law enforcement activities by the public and for tactful and courteous treatment of all citizens. Police officers are also responsible for assigned police vehicles and other equipment of the Police Department.
  • Police work involves the potential for personal injury and individuals must be able to act without direct supervision and to exercise independent judgment and discretion in meeting emergencies.
  • Individuals assigned to work as Detectives may be assigned to perform all authorized activities related to criminal investigations. Work is normally performed in accordance with established policies and procedures but with the application of considerable judgment and latitude in handling all types of investigations, emergency situations, analyzing cases, interpreting and applying the law, and in preparing thorough and accurate cases for court.
  • Patrol and criminal investigation assignments are normally performed in accordance with departmental policies, rules, standard operating practice and established precedent, with matters requiring deviation normally referred to next higher command level for decision or direction.
  • Individuals may be assigned to special law enforcement activities such as non-routine investigations, surveillance, juvenile matters that call upon specialized abilities and knowledge usually attained through considerable training and experience.
  • Performance is reviewed on a continuous basis by a departmental supervisor through a performance appraisal of work methods, results achieved, reports, personal inspection and discussion.

For full job description, click
Minimum Qualifications

  • United States citizenship or lawful permanent resident.
  • Minimum of twenty-one (21) years of age by certification date of eligibility list.
  • High school graduate with an Associate degree in Law Enforcement preferred.
  • Satisfactory completion of medical exam and drug screen by a licensed physician to ensure that no physical, emotional, sensory or mental conditions exist which could preclude individuals from performing the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
  • Possession of, or the ability to obtain a valid State of Washington Driver's License.
  • Driving record free of significant or serious moving violations.
  • Personal record free of any crimes or convictions for crimes involving moral character such as theft, dishonesty, or history of regular usage of illegal/illicit drugs, etc. as stated in Civil Service regulations.
  • Successful completion of oral, psychological and polygraph tests as prescribed by the Police Civil Service Commission.
  • Possession of or ability to obtain a Basic Law Enforcement School Certificate issued by the State of Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission. Out of state candidates, who have previously certified in another state, must pass the CJTC equivalency examination.
  • Ability to satisfactorily complete field training in which methods, procedures and techniques of law enforcement work are presented by field training officers.
To learn more, please visit
Additional Information
Recruitment Process
An application with the City of Bothell is not required at this time. Please visit to complete the required testing and choose to share your test scores with City of Bothell. Test scores are reviewed on a regular basis and you will be notified by the Bothell Police Department if you are invited to move forward to an Oral Board.
Bothell Police Department Core Values:
SERVICE, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, EXCELLENCE, LOYALTY, and DUTY

To ensure police department employees embody the core values of the department, job offers are extended contingent upon passing a comprehensive and in-depth personal background and employment investigation. This includes completing a Personal History Statement "PHS", polygraph examination, and a psychological evaluation. This can also include, but is not limited to: interviews with personal and professional acquaintances; review of online/social media presence; review and verification of personal and professional records such as: criminal history checks, fingerprints, credit checks, IRS tax statements, military records, school transcripts, driving abstracts, and Department of Licensing records.
For questions regarding the background check, please email

The City of Bothell applies veterans preference points and may also apply additional points for Peace Corps services as well as language proficiency skills.

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