Police Officer - Lateral ($25,000 Hiring Incentive)

Salary: $38.71 - $46.32 Hourly
Location : Spokane, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-0006
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 01/19/2026

Purpose

Lateral Police Officers are eligible for a $25,000 hiring incentive. $12,500 to be paid after one (1) full month of employment, $6,250 to be paid after one (1) year of employment, $6,250 to be paid after two (2) years of employment.
Perform police duties at Spokane International Airport: preserve public peace, protect life and property, enforce local, state and federal laws and regulations, initiate and complete investigations, mediate disputes, render aid and assistance as required.

Major Responsibilities

• Respond to in-progress alarms and general calls for service from passenger screening areas
• Resolve interpersonal conflicts between screening area personnel and citizens in a productive, conciliatory manner
• Maintain high visibility patrol in and around the airport terminal and facilities
• Provide information and assistance to motorists and pedestrians
• Issue warnings and citations for moving and nonmoving violations
• Enforce parking and traffic regulations at the terminal and on surrounding roadways
• Investigate complaints and take appropriate action, which may include the use of deadly or nondeadly force.
• Place persons under physical arrest for violations of the law and complete necessary paper work, up to and including court testimony
• Assist in dignitary protection in coordination with local, state and federal agencies
• Identify and, if possible, eliminate public hazards
• Patrol airport property in vehicles or on foot
• Patrol the airport's Security Identification Display Area insuring only authorized personnel are present as required by federal regulations
• Patrol airport perimeter fence line to ensure integrity of fences and gates
• Complete any other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of law enforcement.
• Good communication skills, written and verbal. Ability to manage and coordinate complete response to a multitude of emergency situations.
• Interact in a courteous and professional manner in sensitive, stressful and possibly controversial situations.
• Make public contact and render assistance as necessary in a courteous and professional manner under difficult and in some instances hazardous circumstances.
• Use sound judgment under adverse, stressful conditions.
• Think clearly and act quickly in a variety of situations.

Education/Certifications/Licenses

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Successfully complete officer candidate, field training programs. Must complete accredited police academy required training.
• Preference shown for Basic Police Certification issued by the Washington State Law Enforcement Commission or an equivalent certification from another accredited law enforcement agency or have completed accredited police academy required training. Successful completion of the full 720 hours of basic police training will be required to maintain employment.
• Possess a valid driver's license with excellent driving record.
• Must be citizen of the United States.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must have no felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly both verbally and in writing. Read, write, speak and understand English.
• Ability to physically run over and through rough terrain and on stairs to chase and apprehend violators.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Two hand ability to fire and reload semi-automatic handgun and slide-pump shotgun.
• Two hand ability to drive and use radio microphone simultaneously.
• Mobility throughout all airport facilities. Able to respond in emergencies,
• All successful candidates who have been offered a position will be required to pass a post offer physical and psychological examination prior to appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Related experience in Airport environment. Knowledge of state and local law enforcement system.

Security/Safety:

• Applicant will be subject to thorough background investigation. Testing may be required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an Airport security badge as a condition of employment.
• This is a safety sensitive position.

Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS, TRAVEL, ENVIRONMENT AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS

All Airport including terminal, roads, airfield. Exposure to adverse weather conditions, emergency situations, and violence prone individuals.
Spokane Airport provides generous a generous benefit package. Currently, we cover the employee at 100% of the premium cost and any dependents at 70%. We offer four plan choices for medical coverage (includes vision) through Kaiser Permanente. The Airport contributes to a Health Savings Account (HSA) for high deductible plans and a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for the other plans. Dental coverage is through MetLife. Additionally, the Airport provides life insurance at two times the annual salary. Optional life insurance is also available. Retirement is through the Washington State Department of Retirement System - LEOFF Plan. The Airport provides an employee assistance program through BHO, and an employee wellness program. Parking is provided.

The amount of vacation hours earned will depend upon whether the employee is working an 8 hour shift or a 12 hour shift schedule. Monthly accrual will be either 8 hours or 12 hours. Accrual amounts increase every 5 years.

Employees accrue sick leave at a rate of 8 hours or 12 hours (dependent upon the shift schedule) per month, or 1 hour for every 40 hours worked, whichever is greater. Employees are eligible to begin using accrued sick leave beginning on the 90th calendar day after the start of employment.

There are 8 recognized holidays with 3 floating holidays. The holidays include New Year's Day (January 1); Presidents Day (Third Monday in February); Memorial Day (Last Monday in May); Independence Day (July 4); Labor Day (First Monday in September); Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November); Day After Thanksgiving ; and Christmas Day (December 25). Employee is entitled to the equivalent hours of three floating holidays each year. The number of hours will depend upon the current shift schedule. If working an 8 hour shift, the floating holiday hours per year will be 24. If working a 12 hour shift, the floating holiday hours will be 36. Floating holidays must be taken during the calendar year earned and cannot be carried forward to the next year. These holidays are not subject to the premium pay and will only be taken upon prior approval of Employer. The floating holidays represent Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), and Veteran's Day (November 11).

Additionally, the Airport provides bereavement, jury, and military leave.