Employment

Some Good Reasons to Consider Working in Olympia

• Voted the Best Place in Western Washington to Raise a Family by viewers of King 5 Television.
• Recognized by the Farmers Insurance Group as the most secure and livable mid-sized metro area in the nation (2008 and 2009).
• #10 on the Men's Journal 2005 list of Top 50 Best Places to Live (March, 2005)
• Referred to as the "Hippest Town in the West" by Time Magazine (August 2000)
• #11 in 100 Best Small Art Towns: Where to Discover Creative Communities, Fresh Air and Affordable Living, 2^nd ed. (by John Villani, John Muir Publications, 1996)
• Moderate year-round climate; reasonable cost of living; stunning environmental beauty; all types of recreational opportunities; a vibrant arts community; good schools; and easy access to mountains, beaches and three National Parks

Career Opportunities with Olympia Police

The Olympia Police Department is an innovative, full service law enforcement agency whose primary purpose is to promote community safety and security by facilitating community problem solving and enhancing community livability. On a daily basis, that purpose engages our employees in complex, challenging tasks that are constantly changing. For that reason, we seek both commissioned and civilian employees who have a solid educational background and a strong work ethic, plus exceptional maturity, flexibility, self-control, common sense, sensitivity and talent at interpersonal communication and problem solving.

Contemporary law enforcement is a particularly satisfying career choice for those who pride themselves on having vision, but who find their greatest enjoyment comes from successfully applying sound concepts to the solution of real-life problems.

Police officers

The City of Olympia hires entry-level police officers in accordance with City of Olympia Civil Service Rules. The actual selection process involves a number of steps that help ensure that those who are selected to become Olympia Police officers have the knowledge, skills, abilities and demeanor to do "policing the Olympia way."

Candidates who pass the rigorous selection process and are appointed as Recruit Police Officers serve an intensive one year training and probationary period. The first phase of that process is completing the Washington Basic Law Enforcement Academy. The final phase of training is on-the-job training with Olympia's team of experienced Police Training Officers. Appointees who successfully complete the probationary period are licensed by the State as peace officers and become full-fledged Olympia Police Officers.

Corrections officers

The City maintains a 28-bed City Jail for the housing of misdemeanor offenders. The hiring process for entry-level corrections officers is very similar to that for police officers. Recruit Corrections Officers attend the Washington Corrections Academy prior to assuming a regular assignment in the City Jail. Corrections officers, like police officers, go through a field training and probationary period. The probationary period for Corrections Officers is six months.

Civilian staff

The Department offers professional opportunities in clerical services, police records, warrant and civil order processing, technology support, crime scene investigation and property management, crime analysis, volunteer management and management analysis. Olympia participates in the CAPCOM regional 9-1-1 dispatch center (Thurston County Communications) and does not have communications positions in-house. Clerical, records and warrant/civil order positions require successful completion of qualifying tests. Other civilian positions require special professional preparation and/or formal education prerequisites. Civilian employees also serve a six month training and probationary period.

Salaries and benefits 

The Olympia Police Department offers salaries that are competitive with other western Washington police agencies and an outstanding benefit package. Check with the City of Olympia Human Resources for the latest salary rates.

Applying for employment with the Olympia Police Department

To learn about current job opportunities, how to apply, and how to prepare for employment with the Olympia Police Department, see the Employment and Volunteer Opportunities section of the City web page - particularly the Police Department Testing page.

Photo credits: From top - Amy Stull, KC Carpenter, KC Carpenter

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