Law Enforcement Officer Position

Tacoma Police Department - Police Officer Recruit

 

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.

Tacoma Police Department - Police Officer Recruit

Last updated on November 05, 2024
PST Partner Agency since June 21, 2022

Vacancies: 22

Testing Deadline: December 20, 2024.

Important Information

The City of Tacoma will pay applicant test fees for both the written exam and physical ability test (PAT) ONLY for those exams as follows:

  • In-person written exam administered at a PST test site throughout the Pacific Northwest
  • Virtual written exam administered via PST’s online in-home testing program
  • In-person physical ability test (PAT) administered at a PST test site throughout the Pacific Northwest
  • Virtual physical ability test (V-PAT)via PST’s V-PAT in-home testing
  • If you passed the LEO written exam and PAT within the past six months, you may add Tacoma PD under certain conditions. Check your PST account under “New Positions”.
  • NOTE: if you are only interested in applying and sending scores to Tacoma, you do not need to complete PST's Personal History Questionnaire (PHS). Tacoma has a separate PHS.
  • The City of Tacoma will use your scores for 6-months and then they will expire.  


The City of Tacoma will NOT pay the following fees (you are responsible for these if you choose them)

  • Any other agency besides Tacoma PD
  • Test rescheduling fees
  • Test cancellation fees
  • PAT at an Anytime Fitness facility
  • Additional test administration fees related to testing at an authorized test center
  • Any other additional costs besides those described above.

The next step in the process is to complete a City of Tacoma application. Please visit www.cityoftacoma.org/jobs and complete the application for the Police Officer Recruit (Entry Level) position. This will allow us to properly receive your scores and advance your information to our hiring team. 

Community Information

Birthplace of world renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, Tacoma is home to a vibrant, creative community of writers, artists and musicians, photographers, filmmakers, passionate entrepreneurs and business owners.

Tacoma is experiencing unprecedented growth.

With more than $1 billion being invested in downtown Tacoma alone, private investment has surpassed public investment by a nearly 4:1 ratio.

Urbanites are drawn to downtown Tacoma for its competitively priced living spaces with sweeping mountain, city and water views, while families gravitate toward Tacoma's charming neighborhoods with big city amenities.

A haven for hikers, runners and cyclists, Tacoma is alive with activity from students attending the University of Washington Tacoma, the University of Puget Sound, The Evergreen State College Tacoma campus, local trade and technical colleges, and nearby Pacific Lutheran University.

Tacoma's gourmands and culinary connoisseurs have cultivated a scene for foodies that’s made national press, while its world renowned museums, top-notch meeting and convention spaces, and huge headliner concerts have drawn visitors from across the globe.

Just 20 minutes away from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and easily accessible from downtown Seattle and other neighboring cities, Tacoma is a city on the rise.

Department Information

About the Tacoma Police Department

In 1874, a small village on the shore of Commencement Bay incorporated as the City of Tacoma and appointed its first town marshal. Since then, we have grown to serve over 219,000 residents as an agency committed to community-oriented policing, relationship-building and reducing crime through effective partnerships. Our department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, which only 2 percent of agencies nationwide hold. The accreditation assures our policies and procedures, management, operations and support services meet the highest standards of contemporary law enforcement.

Our Mission Statement

To create a safe and secure environment in which to live, work, and visit by working together with the community, enforcing the law in a fair and impartial manner, preserving the peace and order in our neighborhoods, and safeguarding our Constitutional guarantees.

Our Values

  • Act with Integrity
  • Respect for Our Employees and Citizens
  • Service to Our Community
  • Accountability for Our Actions and Results
  • Team for the Common Good
  • Innovate to Better Serve
  • Reverence for the Law

Area Information

County: Pierce
Population: 219,000
# of Staff: 366

Hiring Status

Tacoma Police Department - Police Officer Recruit has 22 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is December 20, 2024.

For more information about the Tacoma Police Department and a detailed overview of our hiring process please visit reflectandprotect.org.

Salary Information

The City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Police Department are proud to provide its officers with competitive compensation packages to include incentive pay and rate applications, longevity and additional pay/reimbursements.

NEW OFFICER BASE PAY

  • New Recruit 0-6 months: $42.38/hr
  • Commissioned 7-9 months : $48.31/hr
  • Commissioned 10+ months: $50.72/hr

BONUS PAY

  • LEOFF II Dis./Ret. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +1%
  • TPD Accreditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +2%
  • Bi-Lingual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +2%
  • Education or Military . . . . . . . . . . . . . +2%
  • Swing Shift Differential . . . . . . . . . . . +3%
  • CJTC Training Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . +3%
  • Night Shift Differential . . . . . . . . . . . . +5%
  • SWAT Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5%
  • Lab Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5%
  • Search & Rescue Team . . . . . . . . . . . +5%
  • Motorcycle Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5%
  • Bomb Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5%
  • K-9 Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5%
  • Police Patrol Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . +5%
  • Police Training Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . +5%

LONGEVITY PAY

  • 5–9 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +2%
  • 10–14 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +4%
  • 15–19 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +6%
  • 20+ years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +8%
  • 25+ years (mentor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . +10%

Additional Pay & Benefits

  • Clothing & Uniform Allowance ($690/year)
  • Shooting Pay ($120/year)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan ($211/pay period)*

*The City of Tacoma matches up to $211 per paycheck. For instance, if you contribute $100 per paycheck, the City will match $100 per paycheck. If you contribute $300 per paycheck, the City will contribute $211 per paycheck.

Benefit Information

Medical Coverage

Tacoma offers medical plan options for Police Officers, spouse/domestic partner*, and children up to age 26 with low premium costs.

Dental Coverage

Tacoma offers dental plan options for Police Officers, spouse/domestic partner*, and children up to age 26 with no premium cost.

Vision Coverage

Tacoma offers vision plan coverage based on your health plan election for Police Officers, spouse/domestic partner*, and children up to age 26. There is no employee cost for vision coverage.

Wellness Programs

Tacoma Police Officers have access to a part-time psychologist and peer support network. In addition, the City of Tacoma offers a robust Wellness Program that provides education, motivation, and tools to improve well-being and to earn incentives such as a premium credit to reduce the cost employees pay for their health insurance coverage.


*Domestic Partnerships must be registered with or recognized by the state of Washington

Tacoma Police Department - Police Officer Recruit 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.

Minimum Age 20.5
Citizenship US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Yes
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult Adult felony convictions whether in Washington or any other state shall be disqualifying.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile Juvenile felony convictions whether in Washington or any other state (within 60 months) shall be disqualifying. 
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Correctable to 20/20
Current Hiring Status

TPD is actively hiring people of quality and courage, people from every walk of life and background, people committed to the ideal of community protection.  Come join our team!

Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We only consider the most recent score

Tacoma Police Department - Police Officer Recruit 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
Potential

DRIVING STANDARDS

The following driving standards represent the maximum allowable traffic violations/convictions and must not exceed six (6) total points in the last 36 months. As part of the background investigation, each candidate's driving record will be obtained and reviewed.

Automatic Disqualification:

  • DUI/Negligent Driving 1st Degree (More than 1 conviction, no time limit)

Seven (7) Points:

  • DUI/Negligent Driving 1ST Degree (Conviction) DUI/Negligent Driving 1st Degree (Deferred or Reduced)Hit and Run
  • (Attended)
  • License Revocation/Suspension (Currently)
  • Reckless Driving (w/MVC)

Six (6) Points:

  • Reckless Driving (w/out MVC)
  • Denied Washington Driver's License
  • Hit and Run (Unattended)
  • Driving without Insurance

Four (4) Points:

  • License Suspension (Past Offense)
  • Negligent Driving 2nd Degree
  • Moving Violation (w/MVC)

Three (3) Points:

  • Speeding (More than 20 mph)

Two (2) Points:

  • Speeding (Equal or less than 20 mph)
  • Moving Violation (w/out MVC) 
  • Non-moving Violations
  • FTA

Drug Usage
Potential

It is common for candidates to have experimented with or casually used controlled substances/illegal drugs in their past. However, any use over the allowed standards may be disqualifying. Each category mentioned below includes all derivatives of these controlled substances.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Except for marijuana, each applicant must be drug-free for a minimum of (2) years before this application for all categories of the controlled substances listed below. Any use within the two (2) year guideline may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Any illegal drug possession or usage after applying, while employed, or after being employed by a law enforcement agency (including military law enforcement) is disqualifying.

More than four (4) uses of any individual drug or a combination of drugs that exceeds eight (8) total usages may be disqualifying. Past drug usage will be confirmed by a background investigation and a polygraph examination.

Marijuana:

Usage while actively seeking employment as a Police Officer is disqualifying

Amphetamines:

No use for the last two (2) years.

Steroids (excludes those prescribed by a doctor):

No use for the last two (2) years.

Cocaine:

No use for the last two (2) years.

Hallucinogens:

No use for the last two (2) years.

Club Drugs (Ecstasy, Ketamine, GHB, and MOMA, including Rohypnol):

No use for the last two (2) years. (Unless possession was involuntary; applicant victimized).

Opiates (non-prescribed), Heroin, Morphine:

No use for the last two (2) years.

Sniffing Inhalants/Solvents:

No use for the last two (2) years.

Any other illegal drugs:

No use for the last two (2) years.

Any use of prescription medication prescribed to someone other than the applicant can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Automatic Disqualifiers:

  • Manufacturing of any illegal drug
  • Distribution/sales of an illegal substance for financial gain (includes delivery, trafficking)
  • Administering any drug to another without their knowledge or consent (drugging)

Note: While this list is not all-inclusive, use of any controlled substance not listed here will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Contact Information

Tacoma Police Department - Police Officer Recruit

3701 South Pine Street
Tacoma, WA 98409 Pierce County
253.591.5950

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