Law Enforcement Officer Position

Vancouver Police Department - Police Officer

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

Vancouver Police Department - Police Officer

Last updated on December 10, 2024
PST Partner Agency since October 19, 2011

Vacancies: 17

Important Information

We are now offering a $10,000 Entry Level bonus and a $25,000 Lateral bonus.

VPD offers the best schedule in policing with 4 and 5 day weekends.

Salary $89,000 - $119,300 per year

Full Benefits Package

Community Information

The City of Vancouver, Washington is located in the southwestern part of the state, on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland, Oregon. The city has a population of approximately 194,000+ residents and encompasses just over 51 square miles. Vancouver, the fourth largest city in Washington, combines the excitement of a major metropolitan area with the appeal of a mid-sized community and abundant recreational opportunities. The Pacific Coast, Columbia River Gorge scenic area, the Cascade Mountain Range, Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mount Hood (climbing and skiing) are a short distance away.  Planned growth to the north of our city limits are expected to grow Vancouver to 300,000+ residents in the next 10-15 years.  With that growth, the Vancouver Police Department will continue to increase staffing, available specialty units and promotions.

Department Information

The Vancouver Police Department's authorized sworn staffing through 2023 is 242 sworn Officers and 63 civilian support staff. Patrol Officers work 10.5-hour shifts on a 5/4, 5/4, 5/5 schedule (on/off). Specialty and/or collateral assignments include Neighborhood Police Officers (NPO’s), Neighborhood Response Team Detectives (NRT); Honor Guard, Tactical Information Unit; Children’s Justice Center, Major Crimes Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, Elder Abuse Unit, K-9 Officers, Property Crimes Unit, SWAT, Traffic Unit, Gang Task Force, Digital Evidence Cybercrimes Unit (DECU), Crisis Negotiators, UAS (Drone) Operators, Field Training Officers, Public Information Officers and Drug Recognition Experts (DRE’s).

Area Information

County: Clark
Population: 194,000
# of Staff: 242 (authorized)

Hiring Status

Vancouver Police Department - Police Officer has 17 vacancies.

Vancouver Police Department currently has unfilled vacancies.  We will be hiring both entry and lateral candidates to fill these vacancies. Due to expected retirements, significant growth of the City, we expect on-going recruitment and hiring to fill vacancies. Further, population growth is expected to increase our staffing to maintain current services.  We are looking to hire 35-40 Officers every year.  

Lateral candidates do not need to test with PST. Please visit http://www.cityofvancouver.us/hr/page/apply-job to apply as a lateral candidate.

Salary Information

Officer salary is $89,000 - $119,300 per year (Including holiday compensation pay of 2.7% that all officers receive) Education Incentive pay 2.5% Associate Degree / 5% Bachelor's Degree. Shift differential pay. 

Officer salary upon graduation from the Academy is $ 93,477.

Overtime opportunities at 1.5x base rate, or 2x base rate on short notice.


Benefit Information

Family & domestic partner health benefits include medical & dental coverage. Premiums for employees are fully paid by the City. New employees accrue vacation at a rate of 14 hours a month. Other benefits include a deferred compensation program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and sick leave. Retirement benefits are provided through Washington State Law Enforcement Officers' & Firefighters' Retirement System (LEOFF). The City participates in the HUD Officer Next Door program, which provides police officers a 50% discount on HUD-owned, single family homes in certain designated revitalization areas.

Vancouver Police Department - Police Officer Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT) Yes, required

Your physical ability test must be completed 180 days (~6 months) before or after your passing written exam.

PST Personal History Statement Yes, required within 7 days of passing required exam(s)  
Minimum Age 20 1/2 years old
Citizenship US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Yes
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult None.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile None.
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language Yes
Veterans Preference Points Veterans Preference Points provided during in-house testing, added to total testing score, which can help determine placement on eligibility list.
Current Hiring Status Testing and Hiring for Officer Positions
Other Candidates will be required to successfully complete a structured oral interview and a panel interview prior to certification on an eligibility list. Interviews will be conducted in Vancouver on a regular basis.

Additionally, candidates must be able to successfully complete a behavior traits assessment, a thorough background investigation, a polygraph examination and post-offer psychological and medical examinations, and a drug screen.

Candidates who previously tested with VPD and were removed from a VPD eligibility list for failure to pass any portion of the background investigation process are not eligible for certification on a VPD list for one year from the date of removal from the eligibility list.
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We consider the highest score received within the past one year

Contact Information

Vancouver Police Department - Police Officer

PO Box 1995
Vancouver, WA 98668 Clark County
360-487-7414

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Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
PAT: Yes, required

PST Personal History Statement: Yes, required within 7 days of passing required exam(s)