SPECIALTY UNITS & PROMOTIONS
Speciality Units allow our employees to pursue a wide-variety of interests and try new things while in a stable career.
SPECIALTY UNITS
One of the best things about a career in policing, is you can have dozens of “career changes” without ever having to leave the Department. The Seattle Police Department, the largest metropolitan police agency in the state, has many different specialty and investigative units.
After 3 years as a patrol officer, you become eligible to transfer to a a speciality unit or enter Detective school.
Here are just some of the speciality units available in the Department that you can learn more about:
| Canine (K-9) | Harbor Patrol | SWAT |
| Homicide | Narcotics | Vice |
| Domestic Violence | Sexual Assualt | ADRT |
| Crisis Intervention | Public Affairs | Motorcycles |
| DUI Squad | Internet Crimes | TCIS |
OTHER AVAILABLE UNITS: Crime Scene Investigations, Intelligence, Fraud & Forgery, Robbery Unit, Burglary Unit, Mounted (Horse) Patrol, Gang Unit, (more)
PROMoTions
After 5 years as a police officer, you are eligible to take a promotional examination.
Civil Service tests are administered every other year for promotions within the Department. Tests are given for the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. Assistant Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs are appointed by the Chief from the management ranks.
Officers may be promoted to Sergeant after 5 years of experience with the Seattle Police Department and passing the Sergeant’s test. Lieutenants must have at least 3 years experience as Sergeants and Captains must have at least 3 years experience as Lieutenants.
A bachelor’s degree may substitute for 1 year of experience but can only be used for one promotional exam.
