Law Enforcement Officer Position

Kent 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.

Kent Police Department - Police Officer

Last updated on March 13, 2024
PST Partner Agency since October 19, 2011

Important Information

**Passing candidates are advised to check their email/junk folders for messages from our Hiring Unit. Our hiring process is very fast-paced and our scheduling is flexible for those who are responsive and timely. 


Contact for any questions and to schedule a chat:

Officer Brian Cortinas bcortinas@kentwa.gov


www.KentPoliceRecruiting.com

IG: Follow and DM at @ourfuturecops

@kentpolicewa

https://www.facebook.com/kentpolicerecruiting/

Community Information

The City of Kent was incorporated in 1889 and has steadily grown from an area of agriculture and farming into a city of production and manufacturing. The City has 3 main areas: the West Hill is a combination of residential and commercial services; the Valley which is a mixture of residential, warehousing, manufacturing, and commercial services, and the East Hill, which is primarily residential with commercial services. Our static population is approximately 132,000 but grows to approximately 400,000 during the day. We are the 6th largest city in the state of Washington, and the 8th most culturally diverse city in the U.S.

Department Information

For the real deal in a policing career, look to the Kent Police Department.  Significant crime impacts the city, thus, officers and detectives made true impact to help those in need of protection and service on a daily basis.

The Kent Police Department is a full service municipal department consisting of Patrol, Support Services, Investigations, and our own Corrections Facility. We offer a wide variety of law enforcement assignments within the Patrol division including K-9 (the most teams of any city our size in the region), SWAT, riot response, field trainers, hostage negotiations, drone operators, and traffic enforcement positions. 

Investigations includes units focusing on homicides, shootings, major crimes, and sex assault.  Special Investigations focus on utilizing distinct tools and technology to track down violent felons, and our Crime Scene Investigation team comprise of detectives and officers to conduct specialized crime scene investigation.  

Support Services comprises of community response focusing on quality of life issues, crime trends, and outreach.  Kent PD has a robust Community Education Unit and efforts to engage and educate the public on crime prevention and to foster partnership.  We have a full-time training team and our own indoor firearms range to facilitate state-of-the-art training tactics and opportunities.  Our growing Wellness Program which includes in-house fitness trainers and a large Peer Support team work to promote true heath and longevity in all aspects.  We have a training center and two gym's  to further compliment our resources.

Initial assignment will be to the Patrol division where patrol officers work a 12 hour shift: 4 days on, 3 days off week, then a 3 days on, 4 days off week.  Days off rotate every 6 weeks (so you won't be stuck working weekends just because you're new). Officers bid for shifts on a semi-annual basis (there are new officers on day and night shifts alike). 

Benefits include education reimbursement, longevity compensation, excellent medical, dental and vision benefits and the best available training and equipment. Salary enhancements for professional physical fitness and specialty assignments are available. Kent Police Department is state accredited with WASPC. There are 217 employees, 166 commissioned positions and 52 civilian positions.

If you are looking for a fast-paced career where you are doing true police-work that matters, apply with us!

Vacancies are limited so testing is highly competitive.  Please reach out with any questions or discussion on when to test, as we are expecting more openings soon due to growth of our department and planned retirements!

Officer Brian Cortinas: bcortinas@kentwa.gov

** We have recently been featured on the Police Applicant Podcast: Episode 43

*** FAQ: We do not  require a Covid-19 vaccination (and never did).

Area Information

County: King
Population: 132000
# of Staff: 166

Hiring Status

We are aggressively hiring top-level recruits to join our team.  Bring your trusted colleague and come join the best together.

The eligibility list is on a continuous basis and maintained as scores are received from PST with subsequent testing conducted on an as-needed basis. 

Salary Information

Salary ranges from $96,268 progressing to $124,106 per year. Salary can be enhanced by education level (4% for and AA, 6% for a BA), physical fitness incentive, specialty assignments (4-6%), longevity, trainer roles, and foreign language fluency ( 3%).  Ample overtime opportunities are available for those who want to earn.  

The average non-ranking officer/detective salary in 2023 was over $157,000.

Benefit Information

WE HAVE A TAKE HOME VEHICLE PROGRAM AS WELL AS A RETIREMENT MEDICAL PROGRAM!

Take Home Car after you complete Field Training (new car, not some junker). You have your car all the time, not just during your work week like some agencies.

LEOFF 2 retirement, deferred compensation program, 4 medical plan options to choose from. 150 hours of sick leave earned annually, 96 hours of vacation earned annually and increasing based on longevity. Employees accrue 12 holidays, 4 of which are bought back by the city at the end of the year. The department provides all equipment and training.

Kent Police Department - Police Officer Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required

If you fail the Physical Ability Test, you may reach out to Sgt. Tung (etung@kentwa.gov) for feedback, tips and info.  He is one of the department's Peer Fitness (Wellness) instructors and trainers, certified in strength and conditioning.

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.

Minimum Age 20.5
US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident 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 Will be carefully reviewed on a case by case basis
Ability to Read & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Correctable to 20/20
Veterans Preference Points Yes
Current Hiring Status We are actively hiring committed candidates to join our team!
Body Decorations The Kent PD is open to visible tattoos and considerations of hair and religious or customary styling/dress.  
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We consider all the scores from the same applicant

Kent 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 Currently prohibited from driving a vehicle by virtue of a suspended or revoked driver’s license in Washington or any other state.
Automatic DUI conviction within past 36 months.
Automatic

The Driver Evaluation Point System is a point system to determine if current employees or potential new employees are eligible to operate a motor vehicle within the scope of their employment, based on their driving history. Compare the moving violations listed on your driver's abstract (a five year record review is used) to this rating guide. Please follow the link below to review the Driver Evaluation Point System:

Click Here!


If your driving record is under 6 points, continue the application.

Questions should be directed to the Civil Service Office (253) 856-5280

Potential

Adverse driving record and history.


Drug Usage
Potential Possessed any illicit narcotics within the last year.
Automatic Possessed any of the following in the last three years other than within the scope of your employment: Methamphetamine or Heroin.
Automatic

Participation in the manufacture of illegal drugs within the past 10 years.

Automatic

Illegal drug use, in any form, will be scrutinized on a case by case basis.

Criminal Activity
Automatic Any felony conviction in Washington or in any other state as an adult.
Automatic Any conviction for a federal criminal offense as an adult.
Automatic Any conviction of a crime under a domestic violence statute.
Automatic Any requirement to ever register as a sex offender.
Automatic Any conviction for driving under the influence, physical control of a vehicle while under the influence, reckless driving, negligent driving, or hit and run within the last 36 months.
Potential Any conviction for a misdemeanor crime of deception (ie. fraud) will be scrutinized on a case by case basis.
Automatic Any conviction for a misdemeanor crime as an adult, involving the use of violence.
Automatic Any prohibition, by any law, from possessing a firearm.
Automatic Ever used the internet as an adult (18 years of age or older) to intentionally search for and access images or videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Automatic Ever engaged in solicitation of a prostitute. 
Employment
Automatic Ever had a certification as a law enforcement officer revoked or denied by any government agency.
Automatic Ever been found, by an employing law enforcement agency, to have committed an act of dishonesty.
Automatic Ever made any material false statement or engaged in fraud or dishonesty of any sort during any application process for any employment, or has an employer or prospective employer determined that you made any material false statement or engaged in fraud or dishonesty of any sort during any application process for any employment.
Automatic Ever been fired or terminated from a position with a city, county, state or federal law enforcement agency.
Automatic Ever received a dishonorable discharge from any branch of the military.
Financial
Potential Current credit accounts or unresolved accounts in collection will be reviewed.
Other
Automatic

Any association or affiliation with any criminal enterprise, hate group, street gang, or any other group that advocates violence or discrimination against individuals because of their race, religion, political affiliation, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, sexual preference, or disability within last 5 years.

Potential

Any tattoo signifying any prior membership in, association or affiliation with, any criminal enterprise, hate group, street gang, or other group that advocates violence or discrimination against individuals because of their race, religion, political affiliation, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, sexual preference, or disability.

Potential

Any prior association or affiliation with any criminal enterprise, hate group, street gang, or any other group that advocates violence or discrimination against individuals because of their race, religion, political affiliation, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, sexual preference, or disability.

Contact Information

Kent Police Department - Police Officer

220 4th Avenue S
Kent, WA 98032 King County
253-856-5800

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


Other Kent Police Department positions

Jail/Corrections
Lateral Police Officer