Jobs

Make a Difference – Become a Police Officer

Answer the call to serve the Spokane community. Become a Spokane Police Officer.

Lateral Entry

Are you currently serving as a law enforcement officer, or have you recently left your officer position in good standing? Are you interested in continuing your career in public safety? If so, coming to work for the City of Spokane could be your next great career move!

Salary

In determining vacation and pay steps, all years of full-time law enforcement service under a State certification recognized by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, shall apply. Additionally, lateral officers will be credited with 120 hours of sick leave upon their date of hire. Lateral officers will also advance to Senior Police Officer no later than the completion of three (3) years of service in the department, $51.32/hour or $107,156.16/year.

More information on pay incentives and benefits below.

Requirements

  • Applicants must possess a state-issued Basic Law Enforcement certificate and have two years of sworn, non-military, patrol officer experience.
  • Applicants must be currently employed as a law enforcement officer or have left such employment in good standing, and have a valid law enforcement commission at the time of hire.
  • Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and be a United States citizen.
  • Applicants must be certified by the police physician as physically fit to perform the prescribed duties. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
  • Applicants must be 20 years of age at application and 21 years of age at the time of appointment; within normal weight range for height.
  • Physical requirements for this position, including eyesight, hearing, and other physical abilities are consistent with state law and guidelines. All successful candidates who have been offered a position will be required to pass a post-offer physical and psychological examination prior to appointment.

Lateral applicants from states other than Washington:

  • Must have the ability to obtain Basic or Equivalency Law Enforcement certification by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission within the probationary period.

Open Entry

Are you passionate about serving others and your community? Do you have a desire to help people on a daily basis? Would others describe you as professional and ethical? If so, a career as a Police Officer at the City of Spokane may be the perfect profession for you!

Salary

Starting salary is $31.60/hour or $65,980.80/year. Salary at year two is $35.95/hour or $75,063.60/year. Salary at year three is $49.05/hour or $102,416.40/year.

More information on Pay incentives and benefits below.

Requirements

  • Completion of high school or equivalent.
  • Must be 20 years of age at application and 21 years of age at the time of appointment; within normal weight range for height.
  • Physical requirements for this position, including eyesight, hearing, and other physical abilities are consistent with state law and guidelines. All successful candidates who have been offered a position will be required to pass a post-offer physical and psychological examination prior to appointment.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license and be a United States citizen.
  • Take and Pass the Public Safety Written Exam. Be sure to have your score sent to Spokane Police Department

Certified Open Entry

Have you successfully completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Basic Law Enforcement Academy? Are you passionate about serving others and your community? Do you have a desire to help people on a daily basis? Would others describe you as professional and ethical? If you answered yes to these questions, a career as a Police Officer at the City of Spokane may be the perfect profession for you!

Salary

Starting salary is $31.60/hour or $65,980.80/year. Salary at year two is $35.95/hour or $75,063.60/year. Salary at year three is $49.05/hour or $102,416.40/year.

More information on pay incentives and benefits below.

Requirements

  • Applicants must meet the open requirements (except the Public Safety Written Exam)
  • Have successfully completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Basic Law Enforcement Academy
  • Have a valid WSCJTC BLEA certification at the time of hire
  • No prior law enforcement experience is required.

Salary Info

Police Officer
Step Hourly Monthly Annual
1 $31.60 $5,498.40 $65,980.80
2 $35.95 $6,255.30 $75,063.60
3 $49.05 $8,534.70 $102,416.40
5 $50.02 $8,703.48 $104,441.76
10 $51.00 $8,874.00 $106,488.00
15 $51.99 $9,046.26 $108,555.12
20 $52.97 $9,216.78 $110,601.36
25 $53.93 $9,383.82 $112,605.84
30 $54.93 $9,557.82 $114,693.84
Senior Police Officer
Step Hourly Monthly Annual
1 $51.32 $8,929.68 $107,156.16
5 $52.35 $9,108.90 $109,306.80
10 $53.38 $9,288.12 $111,457.44
15 $54.40 $9,465.60 $113,587.20
20 $55.42 $9,643.08 $115,716.96
25 $56.46 $9,824.04 $117,888.48
30 $57.49 $10,003.26 $120,039.12
  • Entry level officers start on the Police Officer scale. Lateral officers will receive recognition for the total years of CJTC recognized law enforcement service.
  • Lateral officers will advance to Senior Police Officer Year 1 no later than completion of three (3) years of service in the department.
  • Entry level officers receive service advancement to Senior Police Officer Year 5 after five years of service with SPD.

Pay Incentives

Longevity - Years of Service Percent

  • After 5 Years 2%
  • After 10 Years 4%
  • After 15 Years 6%
  • After 20 Years 8%
  • After 25 years 10%
  • After 30 years 12%

Education

2024:

  • AA or AS = 2%
  • BA or BS = 4%

2025:

  • AA or AS = 2.5%
  • BA or BS = 4.5%

2026:
Effective 12/31/2026

  • AA or AS = 3%
  • BA or BS = 5%

Shift Differential

  • Mid Shift = 1.5%
  • Graveyard Shift = 3.25%

Specialty Units

  • Dignitary Protection and Certified Bilingual Officers = 2%
  • Hostage Negotiator, SWAT Team, K-9 Handlers, Field Training Officers, Motorcycle Officers, Tactical Team (TAC), Special Events Supervisor and Coordinator, Assistant Range Master (if a rank below sergeant is assigned) = 3%
  • Bomb Squad (EDU) = 6%
  • Major Crimes detective = 4%

Other Incentives

  • Tuition reimbursement for completion of approved law enforcement college coursework, including graduate degrees.
  • The City of Spokane contributes 6.2% into a 457 deferred compensation program with only a 4% match.

Benefits

Our benefit package includes Medical/Vision, Dental, Long Term Disability, Retirement, Matching Deferred Compensation, Life Insurance, Vacation/Sick Leave, Paid Holiday, Uniforms provided, $175/month into an Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), Education and Training Opportunities.

Choice of PPO or HMO Health Plan: $135/month regardless of family size
Washington State LEOFF 2 retirement
No contribution to Social Security

Vacation

  • New officer vacation accrues at:
    • Beginning of 1st year through completion of the 4th year = 5.69 hours bi-weekly or 148 hours a year
    • Beginning of 5th year through completion of 10th year = 7.23 hours bi-weekly or 188 hours a year
    • Beginning of 11th year through completion of 17th year = 8.76 hours bi-weekly or 228 hours a year
  • In determining vacation and pay steps, all years of full-time law enforcement service under a State certification recognized by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, shall apply.
  • All officers receive 60 hours of floating holiday time per year.

Work Schedule

Working a 10 hour 40 minute shift allows for officers work 15 days a month and have two consecutive weekends off (5 days on, 4 days off, 5 days on, 4 days off, 5 days on, 5 days off.)

Spokane Cost of Living Comparison

According to Salary.com website, Spokane has the lowest cost of living amongst major Washington cities based on total cost of energy, food, healthcare, house and transportation, among other factors.


Contact Police

For in progress crimes and emergencies call 911

To report a non-emergent crime contact:

To provide crime activity or suspect information that doesn't require immediate action contact:

For general police email contact:
eraspdweb@spokanepolice.org

For nuisance reports, including code violations (i.e. illegal camping, substantial litter in yards or alleys, graffiti, land use violations), parking complaints, and road condition issues contact:

SPD Physical Ability Test Requirements

All candidates must pass the Physical Ability Test (PAT). View the PAT guidelines for more information.

The PAT will be typically administered in the following order:

  1. 300 meter run
  2. Push-ups
  3. Sit-ups
  4. 1.5 mile run/walk

Contact Information

Questions about the hiring process or the department in general? Please contact our Recruiting Department.

Spokane Police Academy
spdrecruiting@spokanepolice.org
509.742.8122

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