Law Enforcement Officer Position

Lynden Police Department - Police Officer

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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.

Lynden Police Department - Police Officer

Last updated on July 16, 2021
PST Partner Agency since September 15, 2016

Important Information

Please visit our website at www.lyndenwa.org/employment for current employment opportunities. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Lynden Police Department at 360-354-2828 and ask to speak with Chief John Billester or Lieutenant Jeremy Bos.

Community Information

The City of Lynden is located in the northwest corner of Whatcom County, Washington and covers 2,912 acres (4.55 square miles). The City of Lynden is the second largest city in Whatcom County behind Bellingham. Located on a bluff above the fertile Nooksack River valley, it is between two of North America’s most attractive metropolitan centers only one hour south of Vancouver, B.C. and two hours north of Seattle.


Lynden is a city of just under 13,000 people, located in the mild climate of northwest Washington, just four miles south of the Canadian border and 15 miles north of Bellingham. The natural beauty of Mt. Baker and the San Juan Islands, plus the metropolitan attractions of Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., are within a short drive. Located about 4 miles south of the Canadian Border, agriculture provides a major employment base. The city has some industrial development land and a regional airport. Lynden is the site of an 18 hole golf course, strong Public and Private K-12 school systems and a thriving downtown business district including a new hotel. So much of what Lynden is today comes from the hard work and high standards of those who settled early in Lynden in the late 1880’s. Lynden has a legacy of self-reliance and citizens that are dedicated to the community. Lynden is known as a great place to raise a family – a reputation enhanced by its abundance of churches.


You can also refer to http://www.lyndenwa.org/ for more information.

Department Information

Our department currently has 15 commissioned officers. Of those officers, we have a Chief, Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants, 1 Detective, 10 patrol officers and 1 Code Enforcement Officer. We also employ 2 records Support Staff and 1 Supervising Support Services Manager. In addition, we currently have 1 reserve officer, 2 clerical volunteers and up to 8 senior volunteers who work within our Senior Traffic And Residential Security (STARS) program. Specialty positions include, Detective, Field Training Officer, and Firearms Instructor. There are a few expected retirements in the upcoming year, and there is an expected additional officer in the 2018 proposed budget. Lynden is a more traditional small town with community policing at its core. One detective handles all felony cases and some misdemeanor crimes. Bike patrol is also available to interested officers.


The Northwest Washington Fair commences in the middle of August each year with approximately 30,000 people visiting from all over the northwest and Canada for the six day event.

Area Information

County: Whatcom
Population: 13,380
# of Staff: 15 sworn Officers

Hiring Status

The City of Lynden is establishing an eligibility roster for the position of Lateral Police Officer. The list will be used to fill vacancies occurring for at least (6) months from the date the list is certified by the Civil Service Commission.

Salary Information

$5,167 - $6,723 per month, plus benefits and incentive pay.

Benefit Information

Benefits include health, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage for the employee, spouse and dependents with minimal employee contribution. Employees receive vacation, sick leave, holidays, and retirement benefits.

Lynden 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.
US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
High School Grad/ GED High school graduates only.
Driver's License Required Yes
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult No felony convictions - Automatic disqualifier
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile No felony convictions - Automatic disqualifier
Ability to Read & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Per LEOFF requirement.
College Requirement No
Basic Law Enforcement Academy Certification Successful Completion after hire.
Other
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We consider all the scores from the same applicant
Request/Access Scores On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur

Lynden Police Department - 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.

Category Disqualifier
Driving
Automatic 1 or more traffic crime convictions in last 5 years (DWI, Suspended, Reckless, etc.).
Automatic Suspension of driver's license within past 5 years.
Automatic 3 or more moving violations in past 3 years.
Automatic 2 or more at-fault accidents in past 3 years.
Automatic No at fault collisions where applicant was uninsured within the past 5 years
Drug Usage
Automatic Illegal drug substance usage or exposure within past 7 years.
Automatic Illegal use of illegal drugs in the last 7 years.
Automatic Illegal use of ANY controlled substance while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Automatic Illegal opiate use.
Automatic A candidate will be automatically disqualified if they have ever used any type of Hallucinogenic drug.
Automatic Illegal use of 2 or more different controlled substances.
Potential Other drug use outside these standards will be considered on case by case basis.
Automatic No illegal sale of ANY drug, including marijuana.
Automatic Pattern of illegal use of prescription medication.
Automatic Any use of marijuana in the past 5 years.
Criminal Activity
Automatic Any adult felony conviction.
Automatic Any misdemeanor, or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Potential Adult misdemeanor convictions will be carefully reviewed.
Potential Juvenile felony conviction will be carefully reviewed.
Automatic Been convicted of any crime under a domestic violence statue.
Automatic Unlawful sexual misconduct.
Potential Any previously undetected criminal activity discovered during the testing process will be carefully reviewed.
Employment
Automatic 2 or more terminations, or leaving employer in lieu of termination.
Automatic Withdrawn from consideration for any (law enforcement/fire/corrections/dispatch) employment because of the following reasons: Dishonesty, Pending criminal charges.
Automatic Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces.
Automatic Lied during any stage of the hiring process.
Automatic Falsified his or her application, personal history questionnaire, or any other forms during hiring process.
Automatic Previous revocation or denial of (CJTC/POST) certified status, or suspension of current (CJTC/POST) certified status.
Potential Instances of detected or undetected employee theft will be carefully reviewed.
Financial
Automatic Failure to pay income tax or child support.
Potential Current credit accounts, or unresolved accounts in collection will be carefully reviewed.
Other
Potential Illegal sexual activity will be carefully reviewed.

Contact Information

Lynden Police Department - Police Officer

203 19th ST
Lynden, WA 98264 Whatcom County
360-354-2828

Website

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