Lateral Police Officer

The City of Bellevue Police Department has an exciting opportunity for Police Officers who have recently received their Academy certification, but who do not qualify as laterals due to not having less than 2 years of law enforcement experience. 

A Lateral police officer is defined as a Police Officer:

• Who possess a valid and current peace officer certificate from a state training commission that is recognized by the State of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, and
• Has two (2) or more years of consecutive police experience.

We are interested in those who have a passion for community service and are looking for a new opportunity to serve the City of Bellevue. Take a look at what our department is about at: https://joinbellevuepd.com/. 

For those with LESS than 2 years of prior law enforcement experience and a valid and current peace officer certificate, please apply for our Exceptional Police Office opening- Careers- Bellevue PD (joinbellevuepd.com).

Our Mission

To provide a safe place to live, work, and visit through quality law enforcement practices delivered by dedicated professionals.  We focus our efforts and resources to Reduce Crime, Reduce the Fear of Crime, and Enhance the Quality of Life for all who call Bellevue home. 

Our Guiding Principles- Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Service 

We support the mission of city government by consistently contributing to our community's reputation as a safe and vibrant place to live, work and visit. 

• Patrols a designated area of the city in a radio-equipped vehicle, on a motorcycle, or on foot to preserve law and order, prevent or discover the commission of crime, and enforce motor vehicle regulations.
• Answers calls and complaints involving emergencies, automobile accidents, criminal complaints, and other misdemeanors and felonies.
• Conducts investigations, gathers evidence, obtains witnesses, makes arrests, and transports suspects.
• Interviews persons with complaints and inquiries and attempts to make the proper disposition or direct them to proper authorities.
• Acts as jailer or bailiff; serves warrants when assigned.
• Gives information to the public regarding laws and ordinances.
• Appears in court, gives testimony, and presents evidence as necessary.
• Administers first aid in emergency situations.
• Prepares detailed written reports of investigations.
• Performs related work as required.
• Supervision Received and Exercised:
• Employees must be able to act without direct supervision and to exercise discretion in meeting emergencies.
• Assignments and instructions are received from superior officers who review work methods and results, monitor activities, and evaluate accomplishments through personal interview, personal inspection, and review of written reports covering assigned activities.

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for Lateral Police Officer position at time of application:

• Possess a valid and current peace officer certificate from a state training commission that is recognized by the State of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, but
• Have more than two consecutive (2) years of full-time employment as a Police Officer, with no more than 60month break in service from when you left your last police position to the time of submitting your application with the Bellevue Police Department.
• If prior service was outside of WA State out of state officers, you will be enrolled in and must pass an equivalency academy within the first year of employment (on normal duty time).

Additional Minimum Requirements

• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of application.

• Must be a:

• US Citizen OR 

• Lawful permanent resident OR 

• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient with employment authorization from USCIS.

• Must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent education.

• Ability to speak, read and write in the English language.

• Must be in excellent physical condition.

• Possess, or be able to obtain and retain a Washington State driver's license prior to being hired.

• Successfully pass a background investigation that includes a complete criminal records check, a polygraph examination, and a psychological examination.

• Satisfactorily complete a medical examination per the Public Safety Civil Service Commission standards.

Vision Requirement:

• Applicant must have vision correctable to 20/20 in the better eye and 20/30 in the lesser eye. Applicants wearing eyeglasses or hard contacts must have uncorrected vision no worse than 20/200 in each eye.
• Applicants wearing soft contacts must be able to:
• Provide verifiable documentation that soft contacts have been worn regularly for at least one (1) year prior to application.
• Meets minimum vision acuity standards with soft contact lenses, and
• There are no indications of corneal damage, or conditions of the eye which might require discontinuation of soft contact use.

Hiring Bonus Eligibility 

• No more than 24 -months break in service from when you left your last police position to the time of submitting your application with the Bellevue Police Department. 
• Successful exceptional candidates may be eligible for up to a $30,000.00 hiring bonus (no more than 24months break in service from when you left your last police position to the time of submitting your application with the Bellevue Police Department).
• Successful exceptional candidates may be eligible for moving expenses for up to $7,500 for documented moving expenses if relocating from Out-of-State.

In addition to the benefits overview on the second tab, Police Officers are also eligible for the following benefits as outlined in the Bellevue Police Officers Guild CBA:

• Education incentive
• 4% premium pay for 10 specialty job assignments.
• Workout while on duty (three hours per week).
• Receive thirteen (13) traditional holidays in lieu of 10 observed holiday and 2 additional personal days.
• Comprehensive Quartermaster program that supplies equipment, uniform, and weapons.
• Generous professional development and training opportunities (Over 140 hours / year).
• Tuition reimbursement program for bachelor's degree in an approved field of study.
• Police Officers receive 10 hours of leave credit on and in lieu of thirteen (13) traditional holidays in accordance with Bellevue Police Officer Guild agreement.

Veteran's Preference for candidates with qualifying military experience. 

• Any prior military service members must have received an honorable and/or qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005.
• Must present a record or receipt of United States department of defense discharge documents DD214, NGB - 22 or their equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes service as honorable and/or qualifying per RCW 73.04.005.

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Police Officer Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Driving

• Automatic
• Any DUI conviction within the past 5 years. Any other criminal traffic violation within the past 2 years.

 Examples include: Reckless Driving, Negligent Driving, or Hit & Run Driving.

• Suspension or revocation of your driver's license (for any traffic violation) within 1 year of the date of employment application.

• Potential

• Applicants' driving record shows a continuing and/or recent pattern of poor decision making.

The City of Bellevue is a Drug Free Workplace. 

DRUGE USAGE: The use of illegal drugs referred to in this acknowledgement means the use of drugs which are unlawful under the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act in this state or its equivalent in any other jurisdiction. (Misuse of Prescription drugs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.) Simple possession of most of the following substances will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be grounds for disqualification. Note that any use or abuse of drugs may be grounds for disqualification or contribute to rejection during the background investigation; these are merely the automatic disqualifiers.

Please call the Personnel Services Unit before applying if you are unsure if the standard applies to you.

• Automatic

• Illegal opiate use:

• Any use of heroin,

• Any possession or use of GHB or any other "date rape" drug, including giving it to others,

• Any use of any illegal drug within three years of application* (Excludes marijuana)

• Misuse of Prescription drugs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

• Any use of illegal drugs including marijuana since applying to, or while employed by, any law enforcement agency (including military police agencies). Please note that while some states have decriminalized marijuana, it is still federally illegal and police officers are expected to adhere to all laws and regulations, on and off duty.

• Forged/Abused Prescriptions: 

• Any prescription forgery, prosecuted, undetected or otherwise, within five years of application*

• Illegal Opiate Distribution/Manufacturing/Sales:

• Any participation in, or allowing of, the manufacture, selling, offering to sell, cultivation, warehousing, distribution, holding or transporting for another, transporting for sale, or financing of any illegal drugs/narcotics within five years of application*, including extraction and concentration of THC oils from marijuana for the production of "honey", "wax", "dabs" or any other THC concentrate,

• Any distribution of illegal drugs or illegal distribution of marijuana since applying* to, or while employed by, any law enforcement agency (including military police agencies).

• For the purpose of this process, the date of application is considered the date of the initial testing with Public Safety Testing (i.e. the written, reading and video test date). *

Criminal Activity

• Automatic
• Potential
• Juvenile felony conviction will be carefully reviewed. Candidates with juvenile felony convictions occurring within the last five years will be disqualified.
• An applicant's criminal record, including all arrests, prosecutions, deferred prosecutions, "Alford" pleas, and non-conviction information will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.
• Applicants maintain an on-going relationship with individuals who have been convicted of felony crimes and/or who are reputed to be involved in recent or current felonious activity.
• Commission of a felony crime (non-conviction)
• Applicant has criminal proceedings pending or is under investigation for a crime.
• Applicant has been involved in significant misdemeanor activity.
• Applicant's history shows a pattern of thefts.
• Commission of any crime of violence, including domestic violence.
• Commission of any sexual offense within the past five years.

Employment

• Automatic

• Any prior military service members must have received a qualifying discharge as defined inRCW 73.04.005. Applicant must present a record or receipt of United States department of defense discharge documents DD214, NGB - 22 or their equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes service as honorable and/or qualifying.

• Potential

• An applicant's employment history, including a pattern of unexcused absences, discipline, any terminations, or leaving an employer in lieu of termination, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.

Financial

• Automatic

• Willful failure to pay income tax or court ordered child support.

• Potential

• An applicant's financial history, including excessive credit card debt or unresolved accounts in collection, will be thoroughly assessed and maybe grounds for disqualification.

Military

• Automatic
• Any prior military service members must have received a qualifying discharge as defined inRCW 73.04.005. Applicant must present a record or receipt of United States department of defense discharge documents DD214, NGB - 22 or their equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes service as honorable and/or qualifying.