Tulalip is a sovereign tribal community located in Snohomish County, Washington, just north of Everett and approximately 40 miles from Seattle. It is home to the Tulalip Tribes, a federally recognized tribe composed of the descendants of the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and other Coast Salish peoples who were signatories to the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott.

The Tulalip Indian Reservation, established in 1855, spans approximately 22,000 acres and includes residential areas, natural forests, wetlands, and coastline along Possession Sound and Port Susan. The reservation is both culturally rich and economically dynamic, offering a blend of tradition and modern development. The Tulalip Tribes operate a variety of enterprises that support tribal sovereignty and community services, including the Tulalip Resort Casino, Quil Ceda Village retail center, and tribal government operations.

Cultural preservation, education, and environmental stewardship are central to the Tulalip identity. The community is home to institutions such as the Hibulb Cultural Center, which showcases tribal history and cultural practices. Tribal members maintain strong ties to traditional fishing, hunting, and gathering practices while actively engaging in contemporary governance, law enforcement, and business development.

Tulalip places a high value on community well-being, youth programs, public safety, and economic self-sufficiency. It is a vibrant and resilient community rooted in Indigenous heritage and committed to securing a strong, sustainable future for its people.

We Protect with Courage and Serve with Compassion

The Tulalip Police Department has 88 full-time employees, of which 59 are commissioned police officers. Tulalip police officers provide service to over 10,000 residents who live on the Reservation and serve a daily population of over 50,000.

Tulalip police officers are general authority police officers, which means they have the authority to enforce criminal law on tribal and non-tribal citizens. The officers are state-certified and follow all requirements of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center. The officers enforce State Law, Federal Law, and Tribal Code. The Tulalip police officers work closely with the FBI, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington State Patrol to keep the Tulalip community safe.

The Tulalip Tribes is a Federally recognized Tribe and the Tulalip Reservation was established in 1855 with the signing of the Point Elliot Treaty. As part of the treaty, the Tribes ceded millions of acres of land in exchange for sovereign tribal rights and self-governance. The treaty specified the Tribes would retain their fishing, hunting, and gathering rights. The Tulalip Police Department has a Fish & Wildlife Division; the Fish & Wildlife officers enforce treaty rights on the Puget Sound from Seattle to Canada.

The Tulalip Police Department focuses on crime prevention, traffic safety, school safety, narcotics enforcement, and quality of life concerns. The police department works collaboratively with other Tribal departments and is strongly supported by the Board of Directors and the Tulalip Community. The Tulalip Police Department consists of patrol officers; sergeants; lieutenants; boat operators, support staff; and a command team.

Specialty sections for commissioned personnel within the department include:

- Detectives - Criminal Investigations Unit

- Detectives - Narcotics Unit

- Community Response Team 

- K-9 Handlers

- Drone Operators

- School Resource Officer

- Emergency Response Team

- Field Training Officers

- Instructors - Firearms, Defensive Tactics - EVOC

- Bike Patrol

- Fish and Wildlife Officers

Job Summary

The Lateral Officer will serve as a guardian and protector of the Tulalip community, provides community-oriented policing and problem-solving strategies while serving the residents and visitors of the Tulalip Reservation. Patrols within the exterior boundaries of the reservation, prevents crime, and enforces Tribal, State, and Federal Laws. Conducts thorough and objective criminal investigations, solves crimes, uses judgement to determine probable causes for arrests, writes complete and well documented incident reports using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Writes search warrant affidavits, serves search warrants, collects evidence, serves criminal summons, issue traffic citations. Conducts interviews with victims, witnesses, suspects, obtaining statements, and documenting interviews in reports. Participates in community service-crime prevention and youth programs. Provide support and back-up to other Tribal, City, County, State, and Federal agencies, as well as Tribal Gaming Agents and other Tribal programs. Demonstrates cultural competency and a commitment to upholding Tulalip Tribal Sovereignty, Treaty Rights, Tribal Constitution, Tribal laws, and ordinances.

Essential Job Duties

• Patrol all tribal residential areas, business locations, marinas, docks, roadways, and tribal administration buildings.

• Take active part in crime prevention programs that include drug awareness, alcohol awareness, school programs, educational programs, Boys and Girls Club activities, Teen Center, and youth sports activities.

• Enforce traffic codes, write citations, civil infractions, arrest intoxicated drivers, and conduct traffic education programs reservation wide.

• Investigate illegal drug activities, arrest violators, and serve search warrants upon a showing of probable cause to the Tulalip Tribal Court on drug dealers.

• Assist with drug education programs with youth and adults.

• Operate patrol video camera, video evidence cameras, police service video cameras monitoring tribal buildings/marina, and maintain chain of custody for video evidence.

• Provide first aid/EMS response, CPR, and natural disaster response during emergency conditions.

• Arrest criminal violators, write criminal investigative reports, search warrants, arrest warrants, prepare probable cause statements, patrol logs, and required reports of the RMS computer system.

• Provide mutual aid according to policy and support City, County, State, Federal, and other Tribal enforcement agencies within the guidelines of the Tribal codes.

• Testify in Tribal, State, and Federal courts and act as bailiff during Tribal hearings.

• Transport prisoners to and from court appearances, during arrest and bookings, and to court directed appointments.

• Maintain assigned patrol vehicle (daily maintenance, cleanliness, and professional appearance) and operate in compliance with Tribal and State traffic codes.

• Qualify with all defensive equipment, including firearms, taser, chemical agent, baton, handcuffs, and restraining devices.

• Collect criminal evidence; maintain the chain of custody following the rules of evidence and Washington State Crime Lab standards.

• Follow all guidelines contained in the Tulalip Tribal Police Department Policy and Procedures manual.

• Maintain regular and satisfactory attendance and punctuality.

• Perform other related job duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Required

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

• Passed and completed a basic law enforcement academy recognized by the Department.

• College-level coursework is preferred.

Minimum Related Experience

• Completion of either the Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Academy or a recognized state law enforcement academy with ability to become a certified Tribal law enforcement officer in the state of Washington.

• Demonstrated work experience in Tribal government, assisting the public, youth services, customer service, security, and problem solving preferred.

Required Licenses/Certifications/Prerequisites

• Must be a United States Citizen or an enrolled member of a Federally Recognized Tribe.

• WA State Driver’s License.

• Must adhere to the Tribal Insurance Policy (abstract required).

• Must have current First Aid and CPR certifications (six months allowed to obtain).

• Never been arrested or convicted of any crimes of violence; disposition must be “not guilty.”

• Never been convicted of any felony crimes or domestic violence.

• No restrictions on ability to carry or use a firearm (e.g., protection orders, restraining orders, anti-harassment orders).

• Must disclose all traffic infractions and vehicle collisions.

• Must disclose any use, possession, or sale of illegal drugs during lifetime.

• Must pass all TPD background investigation, polygraph, psychological exam, personal history packet, medical exam, and credit check.

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of the Tulalip Police Department pre-employment background check.

• Applicant’s qualifications and suitability will be assessed by the Chief of Police for hire.

• Employment history will be assessed by TPD.

Knowledge Of

• Office practices and procedures.

• Principles and practices of Tribal government management.

• Internal and operational control concepts, techniques, and relationships.

• IT systems policies, security, and protocols.

• Applicable Tribal, Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or statutes.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet).

Able To

• Successfully pass the WA State Criminal Justice Training Commission Equivalency requirements (required for out-of-state Lateral Officer candidates).

• Work effectively in a culturally diverse environment.

• Maintain confidentiality and communicate with tact and discretion.

• Organize, plan, coordinate, and carry out assigned tasks with accuracy and attention to detail.

• Provide excellent customer service and problem solve effectively.

• Learn, interpret, and apply codes, policies, procedures, and other written materials.

• Continually learn and utilize a variety of information systems and software.

• Handle upset, angry, frustrated, and emotional clients, customers, or community members.

• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Have excellent proofreading, grammar, punctuation, spelling, written, and verbal skills.

• Adhere to the Tulalip Police Department (TPD) Policy and Procedures.

• Maintain a professional appearance (TPD has sole discretion on what is professional; tattoos, branding, disfigurement, or scarification reviewed case-by-case).

• Successfully pass all in-service training administered by the Department.

• Reside within a 30-minute response time to the Tulalip Police Department (required within 12 months of hire).

• Successfully pass a 12-month probationary period after completion of Field Training Program.

• Work flexible schedules, including any shift assigned: days, swing, grave, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

• Dexterity for operating a computer, office machines, paperwork, and issued equipment.

• Ability to access all terrain in all weather conditions.

• Adequate vision and hearing (with or without accommodation) to perform law enforcement duties.

• Frequent sitting, talking, hearing, handling objects, and reaching with hands/arms.

• Stamina and mobility to sit or stand for prolonged periods, bend, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, stoop, and climb stairs/in and out of vehicles.

• Strength to lift 100 lbs. occasionally and 40 lbs. frequently.

Tulalip Police Department - Lateral Police Officer has 7 vacancies.

*Exceptional/Graduated from Police Academy (Depending on Experience)

The Tulalip Police Department is proud to provide employees with excellent comprehensive benefits, including:

• Base Salary
• Medical
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Dental
• Vision
• Dependent Coverage
• Life Insurance
• Optional Flexible/Spending Accounts
• Training Opportunities
• Paid Education Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Jury Duty
• Volunteer Leave
• 401K Savings Plans
• Employee Discount Program
• 24 Hours Wellness Leave
• Take Home Car
• 24 Hours Additional Holiday Pay
• Off-Duty Overtime Opportunities
• Education Incentive