To join the Washington police force, one must first confirm his or her eligibility by meeting the provisions outlined by the department they are applying with. These requirements can vary from city to city in Washington greatly. Check in with the office of the department you are hoping to apply to if you need a more detailed explanation. Once you apply, you could be called upon to undergo testing, both written and physical. If the scores are acceptable, you may be called upon for an interview. If you impress the panel of interviewers and are moved along in the process, you will be subjected to an extensive background check and/or more tests. If all of this is passed and you are offered a position, you will go to a Washington police academy to be trained. Upon graduating, you will then need to complete field training prior to becoming a law officer.
Washington State Police Officer Requirements
The requirements in Washington differ greatly! All cities require applicants to have graduated high school, have a clean record, a driver’s license and be US citizens. After these requirements it depends heavily on the police department as to what else is needed. In Tacoma, for instance, these are the only requirements. In other cities a person needs to be 21. In Seattle a person needs to be 21 and have a college degree. Inquire with your preferred police department to find out their requirements.
Law Enforcement Salaries in Washington
The average salary of police officers in Washington state is around 67,000 a year. This is higher than many surrounding states, which is good news for those working in Washington; however, living in Washington also means an increased cost of living when compared to many other US sates. This is however, simply an average salary. This means that some officers in Washington make less and some make more. Often how much an officer makes depends greatly on experience as police officer. Education is also another factor, those with higher degree make more than those with simply a high school diploma. Officers who are employed in more populous cities usually make more money than those employed by rural departments. For officers who gain promotions in rank their pay can greatly increase. For example: state detectives and Washington criminal investigators make, on average, 86,000 per year.
Schools in Washington State with Law Enforcement Degrees
Seattle PD requires applicants to have a college degree. Other cities do not have this requirement. No matter where you are applying, it may be most advantageous to obtain a degree with a criminal justice major, or the like, prior to applying for a police officer job in Washington. The below Washington schools have law enforcement related programs.
- Bellevue College
3000 Landerholm Cir SE, Bellevue, WA 98007
425-564-1000
- Central Washington University
400 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926
509-963-1111
- Centralia College
600 Centralia College Blvd., Centralia, WA 98531
360-736-9391
- DeVry University
3600 S 34th Way, Federal Way, WA 98001
253-943-2800
- Everett Community College
2000 Tower Street, Everett, WA 98201
425-388-9100
- Gonzaga University
502 East Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258
800-986-9585
- Grays Harbor College
1620 Edward P Smith Drive, Aberdeen, WA 98520
360-532-9020
- Green River Community College
12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092
253-833-9111
- Lower Columbia College
1600 Maple Street, Longview, WA 98632
360-442-2311
- Olympic College
1600 Chester Avenue, Bremerton, WA 98337
360-792-6050
- Saint Martin’s University
5000 Abbey Way SE, Lacey, WA 98503
360-491-4700
- Seattle University
901 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
206-296-6000
- Shoreline Community College
16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133
206-546-4101
- Skagit Valley College
2405 E College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-416-7600
- University of Washington
1410 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98195
206-543-2100
- Walla Walla Community College
500 Tausick Way, Walla Walla, WA 99362
509-522-2500
- Washington State University
1125 NE Washington Street, Pullman, WA 99164
509-335-3564
- Wenatchee Valley College
1300 Fifth Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801
509-682-6800
- Yakima Valley Community College
South 16th Avenue & Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, WA 98902
509-574-4600