Founded in 1946, Gig Harbor is one of the most picturesque small cities in America, located on Gig Harbor Bay in Puget Sound across the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma. The community is rich in maritime history, scenery, quaint shops and unparalleled recreation. With a city population of 13,090 and growing, Gig Harbor boasts a vibrant economy with inviting accommodations, interesting shopping, excellent dining, colorful cultural arts, playful recreation, and diverse professional and personal services. Gig Harbor is easy to get to. We're just a quick 45-minute drive to Sea-Tac International Airport and an hour from downtown Seattle. The City of Tacoma is just a few minutes drive across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

The Gig Harbor Police Department serves the residents of Gig Harbor, and other community members, within the jurisdiction's 6.12 square miles. This includes Police Chief, two Lieutenants, four Patrol Sergeants, one Detective Sergeant, two Detectives, and 16 Patrol Officers. Additional staff includes two Police Services Specialists and one Property/Evidence Technician.

The City utilizes three contract jails. Dispatch service is provided by South Sound 911. Additional opportunities include participation in our Bicycle Unit, Marine Services Unit, and a variety of multi-jurisdictional teams.

Our patrol officers and sergeants work three consecutive 12.5 hour shifts with four days off each week. There is one additional 10-hour shift added to the monthly schedule. Each officer is provided an assigned take-home vehicle. Uniforms and equipment are purchased by the city. A deferred compensation plan and a retiree medical plan are included as parts of the compensation package.

The Gig Harbor Police Department enjoys an incredible relationship with a very supportive community. Our City Administration is highly supportive of ensuring that the Police Department has the tools and ability to maintain a safe community. We pride ourselves on providing the Best Possible Service to our community.

Why choose the Gig Harbor Police Department?

View a video about our city.

Are you passionate about serving your community and ensuring the safety of its residents? Do you possess a strong sense of integrity, dedication, and a desire to make a positive impact? If so, we invite you to embark on an exciting and rewarding career with the Gig Harbor Police Department! Become an integral part of our committed law enforcement team, working collaboratively to maintain peace, enforce laws, and build meaningful connections with the community we proudly serve. Come join an exceptional team that takes pride in delivering the Best Possible Service to our community.

Nestled in the heart of natural beauty, Gig Harbor offers a truly unique policing experience. Our city, known for its stunning waterfront, friendly atmosphere, and strong sense of community, provides the perfect backdrop for officers who are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of residents and visitors alike. At the City of Gig Harbor, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for our officers. With unwavering backing from both city administration and our engaged residents, you'll have the resources and encouragement you need to excel in your role.

We encourage you to visit the Benefit Information below for additional compensation and benefits package information, including retirement medical plan and longevity pay after 2 years!

Application and Testing Process

POSITION OVERVIEW

The police officer is responsible for the protection of the public's safety, the prevention of crime, and the enforcement of local, state, and federal laws. The police officer reports to the sergeant, lieutenant, and chief of police, and is governed by the demands of applicable federal, state, and local laws, and policies established by the police department and judicial rulings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Patrols the community in a vehicle, on foot, or bicycle and/or boat when assigned, to deter and detect criminal activity.

• Responds to calls for service, including administering first aid to injured persons, documenting allegations of a crime, protecting persons and property, and advising on preventative practices.
• Performs preliminary and continued investigations (traffic and criminal), searches for and collects physical evidence, and interviews witnesses and victims.
• Ensures department services are provided with exceptional customer service and the highest level of ethical standards.
• Collaborates with community partners to improve safety and reduce crime.
• Enforces traffic laws by monitoring traffic movement visually and with radar, contracts violators, and issues traffic citations.
• Enforces criminal laws by arrest or non-arrest dispositions.
• Recovers and returns stolen property.
• Testifies in court.
• Writes reports on various incidents including alleged crimes, traffic accidents, and arrests.
• Performs crisis intervention in sensitive and dynamic situations.
• Explains content of law to the public and persons involved in a dispute, describes the process of filing a formal complaint, the extent of law enforcement powers, and the responsibility of citizens to follow prescribed legal procedures, and provides referrals to appropriate community resources.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current criminal and civil laws, recent court decisions, and technical skills in order to remain proficient in the performance of duty.
• May be assigned to the investigations section on a rotational basis in the position of detective.
• Operates police patrol vehicles, jail van, patrol boat, police bicycle.
• May be called upon to serve as an acting sergeant as needed.
• Maintains punctual and reliable attendance.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

• The accepted practices of delivering police service.
• Local, state, and federal laws.
• Department policies, procedures, regulations, and directives.
• Court decisions relating to police powers.
• Human relation techniques.
• Basic first aid and CPR procedures.

Ability to:

• Write comprehensive and detailed crime reports, accident reports, and administrative reports.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Relate to the public, supervisors, other city employees and ability to resolve difficult situations within set department guidelines, with tact and diplomacy.
• Use a firearm and less lethal devices safely and proficiently.
• Employ de-escalate situations and empathy to victims or persons in crisis, and to coworkers.
• Physically apprehend suspects/persons.
• Maintain physical, psychological, and emotional fitness for duty.
• Respond with little or no notice to city emergencies and disasters, likely working long and/or irregular hours during those times.
• Work early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Skilled in:

• Operating police patrol vehicles, jail van, patrol boat, police bicycle with training as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee is exposed to all weather conditions, and other outside environmental conditions such as smoke or ash. May be exposed to hazards such as chemicals, temperature extremes, occasional driving at high speeds, bloodborne and communicable diseases. May encounter hostile, disoriented, or violent individuals and may be subject to verbal and/or physical attack or assault from such individuals or may have gunfire directed at them.

Schedule: The schedule is defined by the collective bargaining agreement to serve a twenty-four-hour, seven day a week operational period.This position is considered essential and will require an on-site presence.Subpoenaed appearances in court to testify is a regular and ongoing occurrence and may occur on a day off or before/after a regularly scheduled shift. This position may be called out on evenings, early mornings, and weekends. This position will need to respond with little or no notice to city emergencies and disasters and will likely work long and/or irregular hours during these times.

Driving and Travel: There is significant use of a motor vehicle in connection with job duties. Travel is required to visit other work sites in the area and to attend meetings, training, and/or conferences as needed.

Physical Characteristics: Since the employee takes physical custody of persons, there is a certain amount of physical contact and confrontation. Sometimes the employee is vulnerable to personal injury. There is considerable walking, standing, stooping, reaching, and at times, running. Work sometimes requires above-average physical agility and conditioning.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 21 years of age at time of application.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.
• Valid Washington State driver license (or ability to obtain prior to hire) with a history of safe driving and maintenance throughout the duration of appointment.
• Score a minimum of 70% on Oral Board interview.
• Successfully pass background investigation, emotional intelligence screening, polygraph, psychological, and medical examination.

Additional Entry Level Requirements:

• Score a minimum of 70% on Written Exam.
• Successfully complete the Physical Ability Test (PAT).
• Must be able to successfully complete the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) presented by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
• Must be able to successfully complete Field Training program post-academy.
• Obtain Washington State Peace Officer Certification and maintain for duration of appointment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This position is considered essential for public safety.
• This position is represented by Teamsters Local Union No. 117.

As a part of the hiring process, the City of Gig Harbor will be conducting an extensive criminal background check by law enforcement agencies, which includes fingerprinting. Please review this list of disqualifying crimes and negative actions to determine if you meet the hiring standard for this position.

Gig Harbor Police Department - Entry Level Police Officer has 3 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is December 31, 2025.

Work in one of the BEST small cities in America. Assigned vehicles, specialty units, retiree medical plan, and unmatched community support!

Actively recruiting to fill three (3) vacant positions.

$44.14 - $53.66 Hourly
$91,826 - $111,614 Annually

Entry-Level officers can expect to start at $91,826 annually with future increases as defined by the Teamsters 117 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Longevity Premium Pay

• 2.5% of base salary after 2 years of continuous employment
• 5% of base salary after 5 years of continuous employment
• 6.5% of base salary after 10 years of continuous employment

College Premium Pay

• 2% of base salary for an Associate Degree
• 3% of base salary for a Bachelor Degree

Shift Differential

• 5% of base salary for shifts beginning at 12pm or later

Schedule: Each employee works three consecutive 12.5-hour shifts, followed by four days off each week. Plus, one additional 10-hour shift per month.

Assigned Take-Home Vehicle

Uniforms and Equipment – purchased by the city

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE
Teamsters Welfare Trust(c/o Northwest Administrators, Inc.)

• Medical Plan A* - Summary of Benefits and Coverage, Summary Plan Description
  City pays 95% of the premium. 2025 Employee premium is $83.88/month.
• Dental Plan A* - Summary Plan Description
  City pays 100% of the premium
• Vision Plan EXT* - Summary Plan Description
  City pays 100% of the premium

RETIREMENT MEDICAL PLAN (RWT-Plus) – eligible after 3 years of service
Low premiums. Only $175/month in 2025!

DISABILITY INSURANCE

• Long-term Disability: Standard Insurance - Trusteed Plan Services Corporation
• LEOFF2 Disability Benefits

ANNUAL LEAVE

Vacation – 80 hours per year for first year*
Sick Leave – 96 hours per year
Holiday – 110 hours per year
Floating Holiday – 2 shifts per year
Bereavement – 40 hours per year

*Vacation: After each succeeding year of service 0.67 additional hours of vacation per month (8 additional hours per year), not to succeed 20 hours per month.


RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

Employee Contribution Employer Contribution
Retirement LEOFF II 8.53% 5.30%
401(a) in place of Social Security* 6.20% 6.20%
HRA VEBA $50 per pay period $25 per month
457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Optional Match up to $200, deposited into HRA VEBA account

*(Windfall Elimination, Government Pension Offset)

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM -ComPsych Website / EAP Brochure

EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT