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Entry Level Police Officer information

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$103.5K

How much do entry level police officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level police officer in the United States is $62,148.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $74,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are entry level police officers?

Entry level police officers are individuals who have recently been hired by a police department and are in the initial stages of their law enforcement careers. They typically perform basic duties such as patrolling designated areas, responding to emergency calls, conducting preliminary investigations, and enforcing laws. Entry level officers often undergo a period of training at a police academy followed by on-the-job training with experienced officers. Their responsibilities and authority increase as they gain more experience and demonstrate their abilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Police Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Police Officer, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, a clean background, and successful completion of police academy training. Familiarity with law enforcement technology such as body cameras, radio communication systems, and report-writing software is typically required. Strong soft skills include integrity, critical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring public safety, upholding the law ethically, and responding effectively to emergencies.

What Does an Entry-Level Police Officer Do?

The job duties of an entry-level police officer involve working to protect citizens and perform other law enforcement duties. Your responsibilities in this career include going on patrol, working to investigate crimes, and documenting complaints. An entry-level officer has completed officer training and public safety testing (PST) and has been sworn-in as a law enforcement professional. However, you may undergo additional on-the-job training with the assistance of a senior officer, and you may have a period of probationary employment until you have proven yourself in the field.

What is the difference between Entry Level Police Officer vs Police Dispatcher?

AspectEntry Level Police OfficerPolice Dispatcher
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED, police academy trainingHigh school diploma or GED, communication training
Work EnvironmentPatrol, crime scenes, community interactionDispatch center, phone and radio communication
Employer & Industry UsageLaw enforcement agencies, police departmentsPolice departments, emergency communication centers
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

Entry Level Police Officers primarily patrol communities, enforce laws, and respond to incidents, requiring police academy training. Police Dispatchers handle emergency calls, coordinate responses, and communicate with officers, focusing on communication skills. Both roles are essential in law enforcement but differ in duties, environment, and training focus.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level police officers during their first year on the job?

Entry level police officers often face challenges such as adapting to shift work, learning departmental procedures, and developing effective communication skills in high-pressure situations. Balancing the demands of public interactions with the need to enforce the law can be stressful, especially when dealing with difficult or emotional incidents. New officers also spend significant time in training and mentorship programs, which help ease the transition but require adaptability and resilience.
More about Entry Level Police Officer jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Police Officer jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Police Officer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Police Officer jobs? The most popular types of Police Officer jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Police Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Police Officer jobs include:
Entry Level Police Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Police Officer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, 48% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,148 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

Police Officer - Entry Level

City of Redmond, WA

Redmond, WA • On-site

$110K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Salary : $110,434.90 - $127,891.37 Annually
Location : Public Safety Building, 8701 160th Ave NE, Redmond, WA
Job Type: Regular, Full-time
Job Number: 2500153
Department: Police
Opening Date: 01/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
JOIN REDMOND!
Your career in law enforcement begins here! Before we go on and tell you why the Redmond Police Department is a great place for you, please read and follow these instructions for how to become an entry level police officer candidate with us. Failure to follow these steps will result in your application not being processed.
To be considered for an entry-level law enforcement officer position at our agency and others, you must FIRST take a physical ability test (PAT) and pass a Law Enforcement Officer written exam. You also need to complete a Personal History Statement (PHS) These tests are conducted by Public Safety Testing ().
To sign up for the exams and complete your PHS, go to the testing organization's website and search for Law Enforcement On the career page, you will select our posting for the Redmond Police Department and click the button that allows you to sign up for the required examinations.
Once you successfully complete the PHS, PAT and the written exam, your scores are sent to us immediately. There is no other work on your part! Once we see your test results, our recruiting officers will reach out to you to schedule your screening assessment as soon as possible. At that time, you are welcome to also submit your contact information here through our Apply button on this job posting.
Now, why should you join the Redmond Police Department?
The City of Redmond is a thriving, culturally diverse community and home to over 80,000 residents. Redmond is the hub to an array of commerce and industry ranging from technology, aerospace and gaming to biomedical and innovation start-ups. The City of Redmond seeks to continue a strong police-community relationship that builds trust, advances community policing, and increases public safety.
But more than anything, our people make us great. Our people bring unique skills and qualities to the table, and we all embrace the values of integrity, accountability and commitment to service. We also care about our jobs, the work we do for the community of Redmond, and for each other. In fact, we love working collaboratively to take our City to even greater heights. That spirits creates a purpose-driven culture at Redmond Police that is the biggest reason why people not only choose to work for Redmond but also stay. Finally, if those aren't already good reasons, then we'd like you to know that we offer a work-life friendly rotating schedule that ensures you will always have some weekends and weekdays off to rest, spend time with family and friends, or just have fun.
As a new Redmond Police Officer, you will enjoy our professional and healthy work environment, dedicated resources for training and equipment, and career opportunities. Our Patrol Division offers a good balance of calls for service and case follow-up, which makes for a well-rounded officer.
For more details on why you should join the City of Redmond, visit the website.
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
Please view the complete classification description for more information about the knowledge, skills, abilities, working conditions, physical requirements, automatic and discretionary disqualifiers.
QUALIFICATIONS
Entry-level Police Officer Requirements:
  • Pass the physical ability test administered by Public Safety Testing (PST)
  • Score a 70% or better on the Law Enforcement Officer written exam administered by Public Safety Testing (PST)
  • Initial screening based on written test results and Personal History Statement (PHS) (Pass/Fail)

Education and Experience:
Must have high school diploma or GED certificate
Licenses and Other Requirements:
  • Ability to obtain state certification from the Washington State Law Enforcement Training Commission or other accredited certifying agency within fifteen (15) months of appointment.
  • Must meet required physical and medical standards and all civil service requirements.
  • Possess a valid Washington State driver's license upon hire; out-of-state hires must have a valid driver's license and obtain a valid Washington State driver's license within Washington's required timelines.
  • Be at least 21 years of age when the eligibility list is certified.
  • United States citizenship or be a lawful permanent resident.
  • Successfully pass Redmond Police Department background investigation which includes a Chief's interview, polygraph, psychological, extensive on-site background investigation, drug screening, and medical exam.

Selection Process: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, have completed Public Safety Testing requirements, including Applicant Profile, Personal History Statement (PHS), and Physical Ability Testing will be notified of their application status.
Automatic Disqualifiers:
The City of Redmond Police Department will automatically disqualify any individual who has at any time:
  • Been convicted of a felony (or pled nolo contendere to a felony charge) or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Washington State or has been incarcerated for any crime.
  • Sold narcotics or dangerous drugs.
  • All illegal drug use will be closely scrutinized on a case-by-case basis.
  • Had a pattern of abusing prescription medication.
  • Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces.
  • Received more than two moving traffic violations within the preceding 3 years; or reckless driving violation within the preceding 5 years; or driving while license suspended within the preceding 5 years; or driving while intoxicated within the preceding five years.
  • Been involved in more than one motor vehicle accident within the preceding 3 years for which the applicant received a traffic or criminal citation and was convicted, forfeited bail, or entered a plea of "guilty" or "nolo contendere."
  • Been previously employed as a law enforcement agent and since has committed or violated federal, state or city laws pertaining to criminal activity.
  • Committed any serious violation of Federal, State, City or County laws.
  • Lied during any stage of the hiring process.
  • Falsified his or her personal history questionnaire or application or failed to disclose pertinent information.
  • Been convicted of any crime under a domestic violence statue.
  • Unlawful sexual misconduct.

Discretionary Disqualifiers:
The following disqualifiers may, upon review by the Redmond Police Department, make you ineligible to become a City of Redmond Police Officer:
  • Alcohol or substance misuse and/or abuse.
  • Excessive traffic violations.
  • Commission of a felony.
  • A demonstrated unwillingness to honor fiscal contracts or just debts.
  • Any other conduct or pattern of conduct that would tend to disrupt, diminish, or otherwise jeopardize public trust in the law enforcement profession.
  • An inability to perform the essential functions of a Police Officer.

BENEFITS
Benefits:
The City of Redmond offers an excellent benefits package including:
  • 4/10 shifts with rotating weekends every 6-7 weeks, and overtime eligibility
  • 3 hours of duty time per week to train for physical fitness plan
  • Required uniforms and equipment provided
  • City-provided Life Insurance
  • Retirement medical through Teamsters Welfare Trust.
  • Participation in LEOFF state retirement system
  • Participation in Deferred Compensation Plan
  • MEBT (Social Security replacement with City match of 80%)
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plan
  • Section 125 account (medical spending account) available
  • Relocation/moving expense reimbursement for eligible moves
  • Working Out of Class Pay
  • GI Bill Certified Agency
  • +4% Specialty Assignments* (Detectives, Traffic, Pro-Act, Recruiting, Training, Outreach, K-9 and School Resource Officer)
  • +4% Collateral Duties* (Firearms Instructors, Defensive Tactics Instructors, EVOC Instructors, SWA

Compensation:
For salary information go to the .
Veteran's Preference:
Those requesting "veteran's preference" must complete the appropriate form at the time of the oral interview and provide a copy of their DD214.
Reapplication:Applicants who fail one of the phases of the testing process are eligible to reapply for this position after six (6) months from the date of examination. Applicants who fail a component of the background process are eligible to reapply for this position after eighteen (18) months from the date removed from the eligibility list.
Please visit to learn about benefits at the City of Redmond
Benefit rates are subject to change without notice due to federal and state mandates and contractual changes as applicable.

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