The City of Renton is situated near Seattle on the south shore of Lake Washington with spectacular views of the lake, the Olympics, the Cascades, and Mount Rainier. The fourth largest city in King County by population, and the 8th largest city in Washington, Renton is quite literally at the center of an extensive regional and international transportation network. The Cedar River runs through the heart of Downtown Renton and offers an abundance of natural beauty.

The Renton Police Department is a full service law enforcement agency with 169 personnel, comprised of 133 commissioned officers and 36 non-commissioned. It is our mission, through collaboration, to provide professional and unbiased law enforcement services to our community. Our officers work diligently, in partnership with the public, to protect life and property, the suppression of crime, apprehension of criminals and enforcement of laws. We fulfill our commitment to the community with pride, while adhering to our core values of: 

• Integrity
• Service
• Valor
• Professionalism

BASIC FUNCTION: perform general duty police work involving the protection of life and property; the enforcement of laws and ordinances; prevention and investigation of crimes and maintenance of order, on an assigned shift, in a patrol car, on a motorcycle or bicycle, or on foot.

JOB SUMMARY:

Perform general duty police work involving the protection of life and property; the enforcement of laws and ordinances; prevention and investigation of crimes and maintenance of order, and positively engage with community members on an assigned shift. Work is performed independently and as part of a team. Tasks are completed with general guidelines and require independent judgment. Contribute to the Department and City’s vision, mission, and goals in the performance of all job duties.

SUPERVISION:

Reports To: Police Sergeant

Supervises: None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Contribute to an environment of respect and teamwork.
• Foster a culture of equity and inclusion by recognizing the diverse needs and perspectives of groups and individuals.
• Respond to emergency and routine dispatched calls as directed.
• Patrol the City on an assigned shift in a police vehicle, on a motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot; patrol business and residential districts occasionally on foot to provide an element of safety by obvious visibility; look for crimes or potential crimes in progress.
• Answers 911 calls and complaints involving criminal and noncriminal activities.
• Administers emergency first aid to injured or incapacitated persons as required.
• Stop traffic violators, identify suspicious individuals, and take appropriate lawful action; apprehend violators or offenders of the law, sometimes involving a substantial element of personal danger and lawful, reasonable use of physical force.
• Use de-escalation techniques to increase likelihood of compliance.
• Utilize and maintain a variety of specialized equipment such as firearms, police vehicles, radios, batons, handcuffs, pepper spray, Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) breath testing equipment and others according to established procedures; maintain skill and proficiency in driving, the use of firearms, and other issued weapons.
• Enforce applicable laws.
• Manage situations professionally with respect for the rights of others.
• Accountable for actions and dealing with violations of rules, policy, or procedures on an impartial basis.
• Maintain a high standard of physical fitness.
• Search for lost or wanted persons.
• Direct traffic when required.
• Determine when a lawful search or arrest can or should be attempted; determine when physical force should be used on an individual and the extent of such force as governed by state law or department policy.
• Develop knowledge about known offenders and correlate reported offenses; recover lost or stolen property; prepare affidavits and search warrants; interview witnesses and suspects; use informants and other investigative aids.
• Appear in court to present evidence and to testify against persons accused of crimes.
• Write police and other related reports.
• Provide assistance and direct citizens to appropriate resources as necessary.
• Take direction from a police supervisor.
• Participate in community engagement activities including attend community events and meetings and conduct business checks.
• Participate in training programs as required.
• Remain current with legislation, court rulings, department policy, and relevant technological advancements as it relates to assignment.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Perform related work as required.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

• High school degree or a GED.
• Not less than 21 years of age at the time of examination.
• Ability to read and write the English language.
• Lawful permanent resident or US citizen.
• Ability to pass entrance examination successfully and meet the minimum medical and health standards adopted by the Civil Service Commission.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license by date of hire. Stringent personal background investigation.
  • Polygraph examination.
  • Psychological evaluation.
  • Medical physical, including a drug-screening test.
  • Driving record check.
• Must be able to qualify for the ACCESS Certification.
• Must be able to pass the Washington State Criminal Justice Basic Law Enforcement Training Course.
• Pass with a 70% or above the Law Enforcement Officer written exam with Public Safety Testing, as well as pass the Physical Ability test (PAT). Once both of those exams are successfully completed those scores must be sent to City of Renton in order to move forward in the process.
• Verify that you do notmeet any of the Automatic Disqualifying Behavior requirements. To avoid a delay in the application process with our agency, you mustcomplete a fully up to date and specific personal history statement (PHS) with Public Safety Testing (PST).

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• Commitment to racial, social and economic equity issues and working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Knowledge of adult and juvenile judicial procedures and the criminal justice system and laws of arrest, search, and seizure.
• Techniques of investigation and interrogation.
• Criminal case preparation and procedures.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Maintain control in stressful and hazardous situations.
• Enforce all applicable laws with professionalism and respect.
• Determine level and scope of police response.
• Make rapid and accurate decisions under stressful conditions.
• Attention to detail.
• Communicate effectively.
• Customer service focus.
• Positive interactions with all individuals.
• Build collaborative relationships.
• Anticipate problems and develop contingency plans.
• Show initiative while performing job tasks.
• Remain flexible to changing priorities.
• Determine priorities and take prompt action.
• Meet deadlines and respond timely to achieve common goals.
• Be receptive to the attitudes, feelings or circumstances of others and aware of influence of one’s own behavior on them.
• Work effectively with others to achieve common goals.
• Social awareness.
• Make difficult decisions in a timely manner.
• Conflict-resolution skills.
• City ordinances, applicable federal and state laws, WAC rules and department policies.
• Knowledge of geography and street locations.
• Knowledge of department’s policies and procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Drive and perform field work.
• Work in dangerous or emergency circumstances requiring vigorous physical activity and exertion.
• Lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds on occasion.
• Lift heavy objects in awkward and confined spaces, using proper lifting and rigging techniques.
• Climb and work from ladders, climb stairs, ability to navigate a variety of different terrains.
• Run, jog, or walk for extended periods of time.
• Bending, stretching, sitting, and standing for extended periods.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in a typical office environment and/or performed outdoors in all weather conditions and may involve moving throughout the facility and community.
• Work assigned shift.
• Noise level out in the field is moderately loud and noise level in the office is moderately quiet.

Accommodation -Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process may contact kritter@rentonwa.gov at least 2 days prior to the need.

AUTOMATIC AND POTENTIAL DISQUALIFIERS FOR POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER

Driving

• Automatic:
  • Two or more at fault collisions within the last 3 years
  • DUI within the last 3 years
  • A total of 2 DUI's convictions
  • Any criminal traffic conviction in the past year or 2 such criminal offenses in the past 3 years
  • Driver's license suspended within the last 2 years
• Potential:
  • 3 or more moving violations within the last 3 years

Drug Use

• Potential:
  • Use of marijuana in the last 12 month
  • Use of or possession of an illegal substance within the last 60 months (other than as a juvenile, one time experimentation, or the use of marijuana as stated above)
  • Illegal use of prescription medication in the last 60 months (other than as a juvenile or one time experimentation)

Criminal History

• Automatic:
  • Any adult felony conviction
  • Any misdemeanor or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice capacity
  • Domestic violence conviction
• Potential:
  • Adult misdemeanor convictions
  • Juvenile felony convictions

Employment

• Automatic:
  • Dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces
  • Lied during any stage of the hiring process
  • Falsified application, personal history statement, or any other forms during hiring process
  • Previous revocation or denial of CJTC/POST certified status, or current suspension of current CJTC/POST
• Potential:
  • Having been involuntarily dismissed (for any reason other than lay-off) from three or more employers as an adult.

Financial

• Potential:
  • Credit history checks will be conducted. Unresolved accounts in collection will be carefully reviewed.
  • History of financial instability

TESTING PROCESS:

Those individuals who have passed both the written and physical agility tests will have their information forwarded to the City of Renton by Public Safety Testing. A 70% on the written exam is required to move forward in the process. An oral board interview may be scheduled for the top candidates. Candidates must obtain an 70% passing score in the oral board to be placed on the Eligibility List. (Candidates that do not pass the oral board are eligible to re-test 90 days from the previous oral board date.) A combined (interview weighted at 70% and the written test weighted at 30%) minimum score of 70% is required for placement on the eligibility list. Veterans Points are awarded to eligible candidates who make the request and include the proper documentation after successfully passing an interview.

Please note: PST allows you to apply for a testing fee waiver and you must show proof of a verifiable financial hardship. Once they receive your completed testing fee waiver form, they will evaluate it and respond to you as soon as possible. Please submit this form at least two weeks prior to your desired test date. The waiver form may be found by clicking here: https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/information-center/candidate-faqs/.

Selection Procedure:  Communication from the City of Renton:

We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. Texting notifications are available. E-mails from rentonwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

Renton Police Department - Police Officer has 4 vacancies.

The eligibility list is a continuous listing and maintained as scores are received from PST with interviews conducted on a rolling, monthly basis. Vacancies are filled by Civil Service "rule of five" with the top five candidates forwarded to the appointing authority for background investigation & selection as vacancies occur.

After successfully passing the written exam and physical agility test, please apply on the City of Renton website. You can access the detailed job announcement and online application by clicking on the following website:

SALARY INFORMATION/PREMIUMS:

• All entry level officers are hired at $7,563*/monthly - Patrol Officer I.
• Promotion to Patrol Officer II occurs when the officer enters the FTO program.
• Patrol Officer II salary range is $8,036-$9,916*/monthly.
  *2024 salary information is included with this posting. An increase of 4% over 2024 base wages is effective 1/1/2025.
• Entry level officers are eligible for a $1,000 sign-on bonus.
• Education Premium of 4% for an Associate Degree or 6% for a Bachelor's or Master's.
  • Please click on the link below to view our salary table and other hazard and premium pays.
    • 2024 Salary Table
• City contributes 1% of base wage towards deferred compensation plan. An additional 3% is available for passing the annual Physical Fitness Test.
• City contributes 2% into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) VEBA Plan.
• A 3% interpreter premium is available post academy.
• Take Home Car Program: Officers are issued a take home vehicle after completion of FTO.

Full benefit package for full time staff. Self-Insured Medical Plan. Police retirement is through the LEOFF system. Employees are offered a competitive and comprehensive benefits package which includes:

EDUCATION - Employees who achieve an AA Degree/90 credits, will receive 4% of base wage and those with a BA Degree/Masters, will receive a 6% of base wage.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT - The City provides a tuition reimbursement program for tuition and fees paid by employer for course leading to a law enforcement degree.

INSURANCE & RETIREMENT - The City pays the majority of premium costs for medical, vision and dental coverage for the employee and eligible dependents. Orthodontia coverage is included in the plans. A group term life insurance policy is provided at no cost to each employee at a value equivalent to their annual salary.

VEBA - City contributes 1% into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) VEBA Plan

RETIREMENT - Employees are enrolled in the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems LEOFF Plan. Both the employee and employer contribute to the plan.

PERSONAL LEAVE - Employees accrue paid personal leave time (a combination of holiday and vacation) beginning with the first day of employment in accordance with the following schedule whenever he/she is on paid status: 16 hrs/mo. (for 0-5 years), 20 hrs/mo. (for 6-10 years), 22 hrs/mo. (for 11-15 years), 24 hrs./mo (for 16-20 years), 26 hrs/mo (for 21 years or more). PAID LEAVE - Employee receives a sick leave bank of 30 hours, with an additional 30 hours awarded after three months. Thereafter, sick leave accrues at the rate of ten hours each pay period. Additional leave time is available for military duty and bereavement leave.

WE ARE AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.