FAQ
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions. If you do not find your answer, please reach out to a recruiter, who will be happy to assist you.
Compensation
Entry-Level Officer Salary
Entry-Level Officer
Salary
| STEP | MONTHLY | ANNUAL |
| Recruit | $6639.84 | Pay only during Academy |
Once you graduate from the Academy, the salary schedule is as follows:
Sworn Police
Salary Scale
| STEP | MONTHLY | ANNUAL |
| STEP 1 (Sworn Ofc.) | $9,816 | $117,792 |
| STEP 2 (6 Months) | $10,528 | $126,336 |
| STEP 3 (18 Months) | $11,006 | $132,072 |
| STEP 4 (30 Months) | $11,427 | $137,124 |
| STEP 5 (42 Months) | $12,002 | $144,024 |
| STEP 6 (54 Months) | $12,854 | $154,248 |
- Overtime and compensatory time is paid at time and 1/2, with a 3-hour minimum for court and off-duty call-outs.
Lateral Officer Salary
- Pay for Lateral Officers range between STEP 3 and 5, depending on experience.
- Laterals will attain STEP 6 after the successful completion of STEP 5.
- Overtime and compensatory time is paid at time and 1/2, with a 3-hour minimum for court and off-duty call-outs.
| STEP | MONTHLY | ANNUAL |
STEP 3 (24-41 Mos Experience) | $11,006 | $132,072 |
STEP 4 (42-53 Mos Experience) | $11,427 | $137,124 |
STEP 5 (54+ Mos Experience) | $12,002 | $144,024 |
Incentive Pay
- 1.5% incentive pay for an associate’s degree
- 1.5% incentive pay for speaking a second language
- 2% Body worn video pay effective after 1-year probationary period
- 4% incentive pay for a 4-year degree
Longevity Pay Schedule
(Years in service with SPD)
| Patrol Longevity | Non-Patrol Longevity |
| 7 Years – 2% | 7 Years – 2% |
| 10 Years – 6% | 10 Years – 4% |
| 15 Years – 11% | 15 Years – 6% |
| 20 Years – 12% | 20 Years – 8% |
| 25 Years – 14% | 25 Years – 10% |
| 30 Years – 16% | 30 Years – 12% |
Hiring Incentives
Entry-Level – $7,500 Hiring Incentive and up to $5000 in reimbursable moving expenses if moving more than 50 miles
Lateral – $50,000 Hiring Incentive and up to $7500 in reimbursable moving expenses if moving more than 50 miles
- For new hires, the 1st half of the incentive is paid upon graduation from the Academy. 2nd half is paid upon completion of probation (1 year).
- For laterals, the 1st half is paid on your first paycheck or if you are an out-of-state lateral, then upon completion of the 2-week Equivalency Academy. 2nd half is paid upon completion of probation.
Uniforms and Equipment
All initial uniforms and equipment are provided at no cost to new hire.
Annual uniform allowance of $550, plus 2 uniforms a year.
Vacation and Benefits
- 10 Paid Holidays, plus 16 additional hours of holiday time
- Generous Maternity and Paternity leave
- 12 Days paid Vacation per year to start. Accrual increases with Longevity.
- 12 Days paid Sick Leave
- 21 Days of paid Military Leave
- Enrollment in Washington State LEOFF2 Retirement
- Deferred Compensation Plan (Optional)
(City Matches up to 4% per year) - Premium and Incentive pay depending on assignment
Medical
Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
- Benefits start within 30 days of being hired.
- Costs less than $50 a month for employee and less than $100 a month for spouse and dependents.
- $5 co-pays for most services.
Providers
- Retirement:LEOFF2 RETIREMENT
- Medical: AETNA | KAISER PERMANENTE
- Dental: DELTA DENTAL
- Vision: VSP
- Relief Association: SPRA
Getting Hired
Are there any age or physical limitations on who can apply for the job?
You must be at least 20.5 years of age to be hired; there is no maximum age limit. We have many applicants in their 40s, 50s, and even a few in their 60s. As long as you can pass the physical agility test, it’s never too late to apply!
Are your officers required to be residents of Seattle?
No. We have officers that live all over the state.
Do most of your officers come from similar backgrounds?
No, the backgrounds of our officers are varied and diverse. Some knew they wanted to be police officers ever since they can remember. Others have a prior military background or have transferred to the department as a lateral hire from another agency. Most people are drawn to this career for many reasons and come from a wide range of backgrounds and jobs, such as law, health care, education, finance, and social work.
How do the hiring incentives work?
For new hires, the 1st half of the incentive is paid upon graduation from the Academy, and the 2nd half is paid upon completion of probation (one year).
For laterals, the 1st half is paid on your 1st paycheck, or, if you are an out-of-state lateral, then upon completion of the 2-week Equivalency Academy. The 2nd half is paid upon completion of probation.
Can I talk to a recruiter?
Want to talk? You can text a recruiter at (206) 590-7827, or fill out the contact form on our contact page.
Training
How long is the training process before I'm on patrol?
Entry-Level
- Upon final hire and before attending the Academy, new hires will spend 6–8 weeks in our training unit, where we expose you to our community and culture and prepare you for the Academy.
- The Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) is approximately 4.5 months (720 hours). The schedule is Monday–Thursday. Recruits are NOT housed at the Academy and will commute home daily.
- Upon graduation from the Academy, you will spend 4–6 weeks at the Seattle Police Department Advanced Training Unit in Post-BLEA. You will learn the laws specific to the City of Seattle, department policies, procedures, and services specific to Seattle.
- After completing advanced training, you will enter the Field Training Program. Various Field Training Officers will evaluate your performance in the patrol division. The FTO program lasts approximately 3.5 months.
Lateral Entry
- All certified law enforcement officers from outside the State of Washington must take and pass the two-week Police Officer Equivalency Academy. This Academy is administered by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and focuses primarily on Washington State law.
- Upon graduation from the Academy, you will spend 4–6 weeks at the Seattle Police Department Advanced Training Unit in Post-BLEA. You will learn the laws specific to the City of Seattle, department policies, procedures, and services specific to Seattle.
- After completing advanced training, you will enter the Field Training Program. Various Field Training Officers will evaluate your performance in the patrol division. The FTO program lasts approximately 3.5 months.
Is there any way to skip some of the training?
The only way to fast-track some of your training is if you meet the criteria of a lateral or exceptional-entry candidate.
I used to work in security or had a prior career/training that I think is applicable to the job. Can I skip some training?
No. The only experience that is applicable to this job is experience as a current certified law enforcement officer with a different agency.
I am an EMT and/or interested in becoming one. Would that be of use to this career?
We are one of the few departments in the nation with an embedded EMT program within the department. If you are currently an EMT, we will provide the hours to maintain your certification. Learn more here: Seattle Police Department EMT Unit | Seattle Police Foundation
Patrol Work, Hours & Assignments
What hours will I have to work?
Police work is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Our patrol officers work on a rotating schedule that includes weekends and holidays, and officers are assigned to one of three watches:
- First Watch: 04:00–14:00 (4 a.m.–2 p.m.)
- Second Watch: 11:00–21:00 (11 a.m.–9 p.m.)
- Third Watch: 19:00–05:00 (7 p.m.–5 a.m.)
Officers work four 10-hour days each week, with three days off.
Is part-time work available?
Not at first. But after working as a patrol officer for at least three years, the department offers a voluntary part-time work schedule. This is for sworn officers working uniformed patrol for a period of one year (with some one-year extensions).
Where will I be working?
Patrol officers are assigned to one of our five precincts. Because of the way the city is laid out, each precinct serves a distinct area of the city and often has completely different crime issues, density, and terrain.
There is no mandatory watch rotation. Once assigned to a watch, you will normally remain on that shift until you choose to change.
Will I have control over which precinct and shift I'm assigned to?
Before you are assigned, you will be able to give your top three choices of the shift and precinct you prefer. While there are no guarantees, in most cases, at least one of your preferences can be accommodated.
Do patrol officers just respond to dispatched calls?
As first responders, a big part of patrol is responding to 9-1-1 calls, which can range from the mundane to the truly extraordinary. Patrol officers also respond to “on-view” incidents, meaning a situation they see occurring. Patrol officers also get to know the area they are assigned and meet the community members they serve within their beat. When not responding directly to calls or providing backup to other officers, patrol officers use proactive time to combat ongoing crime problems in specific neighborhoods.
Military
Do you have a Skillbridge AKA CSP program?
Yes. We can provide 30–120 days of SkillBridge under a direct-to-hire program, where you would potentially attend the Academy while still on SkillBridge. Please complete this interest form for more information. https://seattle.gov/police/skillbridge
Does my federal retirement plan transfer?
No, however, we have a very generous retirement plan and a deferred compensation program similar to the TSP, with a $5,400 match.
I was in the Military/Military Police. Will that speed up my training process?
Prior military or military police training does not count as prior law enforcement training. You will be considered an entry-level candidate. However, please note that the Seattle Police Department is an approved agency for GI Bill benefits.
Note: Having a Secret military clearance does not help our backgrounding process.
Can I remain in the Guard or Reserves while working for the Seattle Police Department?
- Yes, we have many officers who continue to serve while working at the department.
- We offer 21 days of paid military leave each year.
- If you are called up or sent to advanced training for more than 30 days, Seattle PD will cover the difference between your military salary and your base SPD pay.
Are there any benefits for veterans?
- You can request preference points on your exam once you are on the eligibility list.
- If you have GI Bill benefits left, your first year of training qualifies for your benefits, which you can collect on top of your SPD salary.
Qualifications
What are the Entry-Level Police Officer qualifications?
An entry-level police officer is someone with no past law enforcement experience, or someone who has finished a self-sponsored academy but has not worked as a commissioned officer or deputy. All candidates must meet the basic requirements.
What are the Exceptional Entry candidate qualifications?
Exceptional criteria:
- At the time of the test, you must have graduated from a certified academy, but have less than two (2) years of full-time employment as a police officer, deputy sheriff, tribal officer, or state trooper with full police powers and duties.
- Apply as an entry-level candidate. There is no exceptional application.
- Testing dates for exceptional candidates correlate to the entry-level dates. The process is the same, minus the Physical Agility Test (PAT).
- Exceptional candidates, if hired, start at Step 1 on the pay scale listed on the website.
- The Seattle Police Department retains the right to send an exceptional-entry candidate to the WSCJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy and reclassify them as an entry-level police officer if it is determined that a candidate’s existing training is not comparable.
What are the Lateral qualifications?
Lateral Criteria:
- At the time of the test, you must have more than 24 months of experience working full-time as a police officer, deputy sheriff, tribal officer, or state trooper (academy time not included).
- At the time of the test, you must have been employed full-time as specified above, and your break in service must be less than one year (12 months).
While some qualifications below are required by state law for officers, others are standards considered during the hiring process. These standards apply to both civilian and officer hires. If you do not meet a standard that is not required by state law, still apply. We value honesty and life experience over perfection.
Age
- An applicant must be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of taking the written exam. This requirement is necessary to ensure all police applicants will be able to legally enter all premises that SPD responds to. There is no maximum age limit. See RCW 41.12.07.
Education
Proof of high school graduation or a certified GED. See WAC 139-07-02 (1)(b)(ii)
Physical Fitness
- Entry-level applicants must pass the Washington State Physical Ability Test (WA-PAT)
See WAC 139-05-230 - Information about the Washington State Physical Ability Test (WA-PAT) requirements are available at the Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Laterals and Exceptional Entry candidates do not take the WA-PAT during the testing and hiring process.
Citizenship
- An applicant must hold a United States citizenship, OR have legal permanent residency in the U.S., OR be a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.
- See RCW 41.12.070 and WAC 139-07-020(1)(b)(i) and 8 U.S.C See 1101 (a)(20)
Military Record (when applicable)
- An applicant must have been discharged under honorable conditions (Fair Employment Laws apply).
- See WAC 139-07-020 (1)(b)(iii)
Driver's License
An applicant must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License prior to being hired. It is understood that out of state candidates won’t have this at the time of application, but they must get one prior to accepting a job. Driving is an essential function of this position with SPD. See RCW 46.20.001 for license rights and restrictions.
Criminal Record
An applicant’s criminal record, including all arrests, prosecutions, deferred prosecutions, ‘Alford’ pleas, and non-conviction information will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.
The following examples will be disqualifying:
- Any adult felony conviction.
- Any misdemeanor or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice and/or law enforcement capacity.
- Any domestic violence conviction.
Traffic Record
An applicant’s driving record will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with the past five (5) years being the most critical. The following will be disqualifying until the time parameters have been met:
- Driving under the influence (DUI), negligent driving, reckless driving, or hit-and-run within the past five (5) years of taking the exam.
- Suspension of your driver’s license as a result of a DUI within the past five (5) years of taking the exam.
Employment History
An applicant’s employment history, including any terminations or leaving an employer in lieu of termination, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.
Financial
An applicant’s credit history will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification. The following are areas of particular concern:
- Failure to pay income tax
- Failure to pay child support
Professional Appearance
All applicants are expected to maintain a professional appearance. SPD has the sole discretion in determining what is considered professional as it relates to the position the applicant is applying for. Tattoos, branding (intentional burning of skin to create a design), voluntary disfigurement (marring or spoiling of the appearance or shape of a body part), or scarification (intentional cutting of the skin to create a design) shall be carefully reviewed by SPD on a case-by-case basis.
Drug Use
Seattle Police guidelines for applicants relating to drug use:
- To be considered the most competitive candidate and to increase the likelihood of continuing in the process, the closer the applicant is to the timeline listed for the drug(s) in question, the better. All illegal drug use will be closely scrutinized on a case-by-case basis.
- MARIJUANA: Has not used marijuana within twelve (12) months prior to taking the Police Officer Civil Service Exam.
The use of prescriptions not prescribed to you by a doctor, or a pattern of illegal use of prescription medication, is disqualifying. - CLUB DRUGS: Has not used club drugs such as, but not limited to, ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, or MDMA (ecstasy) within three (3) years prior to taking the Police Officer Civil Service Exam.
- STEROIDS: Has not used steroids within three (3) years prior to taking the Police Officer Civil Service Exam.
- AEROSOLS: Has not inhaled aerosols—sometimes referred to as huffing (paint) or whippits (nitrous oxide)—or used khat within three (3) years prior to taking the Police Officer Civil Service Exam.
- COCAINE/CRACK: Has not used cocaine or crack within five (5) years prior to taking the Police Officer Civil Service Exam.
- HALLUCINOGENS: Has not used any hallucinogens—PCP, angel dust, wet, phencyclidine, LSD, mushrooms, or psilocybin—within five (5) years prior to taking the Police Officer Civil Service Exam.
- OPIATES: Has not used opium, morphine, or heroin within five (5) years prior to taking the Police Officer Civil Service Exam.
- STIMULANTS: Has not used methamphetamine, crank, crystal, ice, speed, glass, or amphetamine within five (5) years prior to taking the Police Officer Civil Service Exam.
- Has not used any illegal drug(s) while employed in a criminal justice and/or law enforcement capacity.
- Has not manufactured or cultivated illegal drug(s) for the purpose of selling or marketing the drug(s).
- Has not sold or facilitated the sale of illegal drugs.
The Seattle Police Department is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in its workforce. At SPD, we acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals and pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse backgrounds, traditions, heritages, and experiences.
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