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Entry Level Police Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Police Officer

Auburn, WA ยท On-site

$108K - $129K/yr

The Auburn Police Department (APD) is seeking motivated, service-driven individuals to join our team as Entry Level Police Officers. This is an opportunity to serve a continuously growing community ...

Watch this video about Gresham Police The City of Gresham Police Department is accepting applications for Entry Level Police Officer positions. We are a full-service police department with a variety ...

Police Officer - Entry Level

Redmond, WA ยท On-site

$110K - $127K/yr

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.

$46.53 - $52.77/hr

Police The Richland Police Department is currently seeking Exceptional Entry Level Police Officer applicants. If you are currently a sworn Police Officer who works full-time for another police agency ...

Entry Level Police Officer

Longview, WA ยท On-site

$93K - $121K/yr

The Longview Police Department is in the process adding to our current entry-level Police Officer eligibility list. The City of Longview requires entry-level candidates to first go through Public ...

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Entry Level Police Officer information

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$32.5K

$62.1K

$103.5K

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

As of Sep 7, 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 is an entry level police officer?

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 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level police officer?

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 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.

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.

Can you get hired as an entry level police officer with no experience?

Entry level police officers are typically hired with little to no prior law enforcement experience, as agencies often provide training and academy instruction. Candidates usually need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass background checks, and complete physical and written tests. Having relevant skills such as communication, problem-solving, and a clean background can improve chances of hiring without prior experience.

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:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Police Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,148 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

Entry Level Police Officer

City of Auburn

Auburn, WA โ€ข On-site

$108K - $129K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 13 hours ago


Job description

Position Details IMPORTANT APPLICATION REQUIREMENT: You must have received an invitation/email notification from City of Auburn Human Resources to submit your application. Applications will only be accepted from candidates who have successfully passed both the Law Enforcement Officer Written Exam and Physical Ability Test through Public Safety Testing (PST) and have requested their scores be sent to the City of Auburn. If you do not follow this process, your application will not be reviewed.

IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THIS STEP YET, start here: Public Safety Testing ********** JOIN TEAM APD. ********** $5,000 HIRING BONUS & TAKE HOME CAR PROGRAM ********** As of April 2026, the approximate wait time from PST test scores/application to oral board interview is 8-12 weeks. ********** The Auburn Police Department (APD) is seeking motivated, service-driven individuals to join our team as Entry Level Police Officers.

This is an opportunity to serve a continuously growing community within a modern, well-resourced police department that values professionalism, trust, integrity, and officer wellness. Our community is policed by professional officers who are not afraid to bravely stand up to danger and adversity. Officers serve with a noble purpose and make decisions based on trust and honesty.

All employees of the APD are committed to providing exceptional customer service to the citizens we serve. As a Police Officer at APD, you will perform meaningful, challenging work that directly impacts community safety and quality of life. Team APD supports its officers with competitive compensation and benefits, wellness resources, specialty assignments, and clear pathways for career advancement.

The department is comprised of 150 staff to include: Chief of Police, Assistant Chief, Five (5) Commanders, 13 Sergeants, 108 Officers/Detectives, 16 Non-Commissioned staff, a Crime Analyst, Public Information Officer, Wellness Program Designer, and three (3) Administrative Assistants. This is a full-time position represented by the Police Officers Guild with a current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) effective 1/1/25 - 12/31/27. The salary listed on the announcement is the base salary, and the salary upon hire will be $9,032.20 per month

Officers also have opportunities to receive additional compensation and pay incentives based multiple factors, as outlined in the CBA. These include longevity pay starting after five (5) years of service, bilingual pay after completing field training and proving proficiency through a bilingual exam, and education pay for police-related Associate or Bachelor (or higher) degrees. Many specialty assignments also come with premium pay, starting at 2% of the straight-time hourly base rate.

Officers may have multiple specialty assignments, but at no time will an officer receive more than 10% premium pay from these assignments. Primary Duties As a member of APD, you will perform general police work involving the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinances, maintenance of order, and prevention and investigation of crimes. This work involves a substantial element of personal danger and employees must be able to act without direct supervision and exercise independent discretion in emergencies.

All officers are responsible for recognizing the social importance of police functions, for tactful and courteous treatment of the public, and for conscientious and efficient performance of duties under little direct supervision. In this role, you will: Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service Patrolling assigned areas to deter crime and provide a visible public safety presence Investigate crimes, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and make arrests when warranted Prepare thorough, accurate reports, logs, and documentation Handle domestic disputes, juvenile matters, and incidents involving individuals in crisis Pursue suspects on foot and in vehicles, safely performing physically demanding tasks Use appropriate levels of force to protect life and property Provide first aid and life-saving assistance Communicate effectively orally and in writing in all settings Maintain professionalism while managing stressful, hostile, or emotionally charged situations This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list. Please view the class specification for a full list of job responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications To move forward in our process, you must: Possess a High School Diploma, or equivalent (GED) Be a United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or be a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient Be at least 20-1/2 years of age at the time of application Be able to fluently read and write the English language using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation Be able to meet all Civil Service Rules and Regulations, including the physical requirements listed in Rule 21.01 Possess a valid driver's license, without impending loss at the time of appointment If coming from out of state, you will be required to obtain a WA State driver's license within 30 days If selected to move forward, you must: Be 21 years of age by your appointment date/date of hire Successfully complete and pass a thorough background investigation which will include, but is not limited to, a suitability assessment, reference checks and employment verifications, polygraph examination, credit check, driving abstract review, drug screening, psychological interview, fingerprinting, Chief's interview, and pre-employment physical examination. If hired, you must: Successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission's Basic Law Enforcement Academy Qualify quarterly for firearms Obtain a First Aid/CPR certification annually Obtain and maintain a BAC verifier certification Qualify for Access Certification AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS To see a list of APD's automatic disqualifiers, click here. Additional Information Why Choose the City of Auburn

Competitive salary with annual step increases Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee premiums paid by the City Employer contributions to Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plans Paid holidays per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (12 each year) Tax-free health savings account (VEBA) Optional flexible spending accounts Deferred compensation plans (pre-tax and Roth options) Employee wellness programs within the department and Citywide Employee Assistance Program (EAP) COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION Team Auburn values a wide range of perspectives and life experiences and believes our strength comes from the diversity of people and ideas. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals who will help us foster a workplace built on respect, collaboration, and service to the community. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) The City of Auburn is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

No person is lawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CITY OF AUBURN We primarily communicate via e-mail during the recruitment process.

E-mails from auburnwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.