Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Submit an online application, and attach a current resume, POST certification, and updated Personal History Statement (PHS) in PDF format.  Please click here to access the PHS.
• Two (2) years continuous full-time commissioned civilian law enforcement experience in a city, county, state or Federal law enforcement agency (no break in service for more than 24 months if not currently employed as a police officer).
• Washington state candidates must have graduated from the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy Training or other Washington State approved basic academy.
• Out of state candidates must be able to successfully complete the Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy and obtain a Washington State Police Officer certification within the applicable probationary period*.
• Valid Washington State driver's license upon hire date (out of state applicants must obtain within two months).
• All candidates must have current police officer certification or equivalent (decertification in any State could be cause for disqualification).
• Twenty-one (21) years of age at time of application.
• U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Satisfactorily complete field training provided by the Richland Police Department, in which methods, procedures and techniques of law enforcement work are presented by field training officers, before completion of probationary period.

*Equivalency standards for out of state academies are subject to review by CJTC on a case-by-case basis.  Candidates determined by CJTC to not be equivalent may be subject to attending BLEA in Washington State. 

Desirable Qualifications

• AA or BA Degree in police science, law, criminal justice or related field preferred.
• Five years or more of continuous full-time commissioned civilian law enforcement experience in a city, county, state or Federal agency which includes patrol service and experience in one or more specialties (such as, SWAT, Drug Recognition Expert, Certified Bomb Technician, Vehicle Accident Reconstruction, Field Training Officer, or full-time investigative assignment).
• Bi-Lingual a plus.

To view current openings and/or apply, visit the City’s Job Opportunities page

To see our current contract with the City of Richland click here.