Police Officer - Entry Level / Exceptional Hire / Lateral

Salary : $5,764.00 - $9,007.00 Monthly
Location : Police Department, 860 SE Barrington Drive, Oak Harbor, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Onsite
Job Number: 24042
Department: Police Department
Division: Police Department - Traffic Policing
Opening Date: 09/12/2025
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 12:00 AM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UNION

Description
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?
About The Department
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 operates a city jail as part of its responsibilities, staffed by City Correctional staff and City Police Support Officers (PSOs). 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.
Schedule
Officers work on a squad with a 3/12 schedule, rotating two months on days and two months on nights. Detectives work a 4/10 schedule.

Compensation and Benefits
The compensation begins with a pre-academy recruit level. We also offer education, longevity pay, and great benefits! (See benefits tab). We are a progressive department, anticipating department and community needs now and for the future!

Job Summary:
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.
APPLICATION/TESTING PROCESS - ENTRY LEVEL
Please read the information below carefully before applying for this position.

Step 1: Applicants interested in this position must have completed testing throughbefore applying.

Applicants must have a score of 70% or above on the written exam, pass the physical ability test (PAT), and complete the personal history statement (PHS) by the time they apply to be considered for this position.

*Please review the list of on PST website prior to testing for our department and submitting an application.

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 Oak Harbor Police Department (OHPD) list.

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

VETERAN CREDIT- RCW 41.04.010 provides for a veteran's 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 a preference, you should upload and submit your DD-214 to your application to determine eligibility.

APPLICATION PROCESS - EXCEPTIONAL ENTRY OR LATERAL ENTRY
Exceptional-Entry RequirementsIn addition to the entry level requirements, lateral entry applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Graduation from the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) or an equivalent accredited state or federal basic law enforcement academy accepted by WCJTC.
• Must be eligible for commissioned status or be a currently commissioned officer.
• Out-of-state and federal applicants must be able to attend the WSCTJC Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy (BLEEA) within six (6) months of hire.

Lateral-Entry Requirements In addition to the entry level requirements, lateral entry applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must have a minimum of twelve (12) months of continuous, full-time, commissioned service (post-academy) in a civilian municipal, county, state or federal law enforcement agency.
• Must have successfully completed an approved basic training program in Washington or another state accepted by WSCJTC.
• Must not have a break in law enforcement service exceeding 60 months.
• Out-of-state applicants must successfully complete the Washington State Equivalency Academy within six (6) months of hire.

Step 1: Your application will be rated for training, education, experience, and quality of answers to the supplement questions. This rating will determine if you will move to the next step in the process.
Applications are initially reviewed for minimum qualifications and completeness. Candidates must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. This includes completing all application fields and supplemental materials. If you do not provide adequate responses in your application materials to determine qualifications, the application will be rejected.

Step 2: The top applicants, based on the application materials, may be invited to an oral board interview and physical ability testing (PAT) at a later date.

Step 3: Candidates who passed the application process and the oral board interview are placed on a certified eligibility list valid for one year. The top candidates may be invited for an interview by the Police Chief. A PAT may be conducted prior to an offer of employment.
Application Information
The review and selection of applicants is based on the information provided on the application and personal history statement; we encourage all applicants to improve our ability to judge by providing complete information.

We encourage you to check back to your account to view application progress.

If you have questions regarding our recruitment process or the testing process, please contact Civil Service Secretary-Chief Examiner Macalle Finkle at 360-279-4504 or

Essential Job Functions

Work activities involve multiple skills and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following depending on area of assignment, crew needs, emergency services, special projects, and seasonal factors:

1. Respond to calls for service involving both criminal activity and community caretaking activities. Interview persons with complaints and make proper disposition or direct them to the proper authorities/community resources.
2. Conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations, process crime scenes using all available techniques, gather evidence, obtain witness/victim/ suspect statements, apprehend suspects, make arrests and transport offenders.
3. Give advice and general information to inquiries from the public.
4. Practice efficient case management including the initial documentation of appropriate information, timely follow-up and case documentation, appropriate interaction with victims, cooperation with other agencies and departments and testifying as a witness in court in connection with arrests and investigations.
5. Use available time to patrol the City by radio equipped car, bicycle or on foot to prevent, discover and deter the commission of crime, to enforce criminal law, to direct traffic and to enforce motor vehicle operation.
6. Take proper safety precautions, which include the appropriate application of force, proper officer safety tactical movement and positioning and de-escalation and crisis management skills.
7. Establish and maintain effective and cooperative relations with City officials, department heads, supervisors, other departments, co-workers, representatives of business and community as well as the general public. Respond to inquiries using good judgment, tact and courtesy, sometimes in stressful situations.
8. Interact and communicate effectively with other social, governmental and private agencies on civil and criminal matters, sometimes in emergency situations.
9. Present a professional demeanor with the general public.
10. Operate safely police vehicles in normal and emergency circumstances in all weather. Properly maintain and use other department equipment.
11. Read and apply department policies, rules, regulations, instructions, laws, ordinances and general literature pertaining to policing.
12. Enter or retrieve computer data.

Associated Job Functions:
1. Advise supervisor, orally and/or in writing, of activities, investigations and arrests.
2. Assist the jailers in maintaining safe and secure operations of the Oak Harbor City Jail.
3. As needed, may be re-assigned to other divisions or duties (detectives, training, K-9, community services, etc.).

Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge of:
• Laws, RCW, City Code, and Department Manual of Standards.
• City Rules & Regulations.

Skill in:
• Computer and word processing software operation.
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent oral communication and ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively and to maintain confidentiality as appropriate.
• Excellent written skills and ability to compose complex correspondence and reports as well as ability to research, organize and compile data into meaningful reports.

Ability to:
• Drive vehicles and operate all related job equipment.
• Interact well with citizens.
• Be flexible and adaptable in decision-making.
• Good interpersonal sensitivity to people.
• Knowledge of English, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and mathematics.
Qualifications & Requirements

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions may be considered.

• At least 21 years of age at time of application.
• A United States citizen and have the ability to read, write and speak the English language.
• A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• To work with in the Use of Force continuum.
• Meet LEOFF Retirement system minimum medical and health standards.
• Able to successfully complete all required training.
• Willing and able to perform shift work, with evening and weekend work.
• Must have or obtain a Washington State Driver's License at time of appointment.
• Pass background investigation, including screening of criminal history, sexual offenses, recent drug use and driving record.
• Pass polygraph examination for law enforcement personnel.
• Conditional employment offer will include medical exam with drug screen, and psychological evaluation for aptitude to work in law enforcement.
• Able to meet response time per the Labor Contract.

Working Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Work is primarily performed outdoors in all types of weather. Potential for damage to health, life and property. Required to work varying shifts and holidays. Work requires a normal range of hearing and visual acuity, eye/hand coordination and manual dexterity. Move in excess of 60 pounds. Operate motor vehicles and equipment. Use handgun to protect lives. Communicate with radio equipment.

Safety Statement:
We expect employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and the City's Accident Prevention Program (APP). This includes, but is not limited to, actively identifying, and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action, emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.