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Currently certified law enforcement officers that can meet all SPD requirements and pass a Police Officer Equivalency Examination, may be considered for a Lateral position. Benefits of a lateral transfer include not having to attend the basic law enforcement academy and receiving pay comparable with your years of service from Step 3 up to Step 6. The Pre-Employment Process: #1 - Ensure you meet the Requirements #2 - Application Process You can apply online (preferred) or via mail: Police Exam Application Information All exam candidates who submit an application will receive an exam scheduling letter 2 weeks after the filing deadline. This scheduling letter will provide the scheduled time and location of each portion of the exam process. Candidates should not wait to receive the scheduling letter in order to make any necessary plans for travel. Fill out the Personal History Information PacketLateral Entry candidates must complete the PHI packet and bring it to your Written Test. Personal History Information Packet #3 - The Civil Service Examination
You will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the written test. You will be notified within 3 weeks by mail by Seattle's City Personnel office as to your overall score on the Examination and placement on the eligibility list. Please do not call to inquire about your score. Note: Lateral officers are not required to take the Physical Agility Test or participate in Oral Boards. #4 - The Background Process #5 - The Hiring Process DO NOT QUIT YOUR CURRENT JOB or MOVE until you receive a written After receiving a conditional offer of employment you will be scheduled additional tests, including a polygraph, psychological exam, medical exam and finally, an in-person interview with a Seattle Police Assistant Chief or his/her representative. Once you receive your final offer of employment you will be notified of your academy start date & employment orientation. Employment: #6 - The Law Enforcement Academy Lateral officers attend a 2 week State Equivalency Academy. #7 - Post-BLEA and Field Training Field training for Lateral Officers is scheduled for 8 weeks. #8 - Probationary Period and Assignments Lateral applicants will be paid at a rate comparable with the years of service within their current agency as a POLICE OFFICER, up to Step 6 on the SPD pay scale. You will be a probationary police officer for the first year following your graduation from the academy. Once passing probation, you will become a permanent member of the Seattle Police Department. The Police Officer training program at the Seattle Police Department is approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Board's State Approving Agency (HECB/SAA) for training of those eligible to receive veterans benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, U.S. Code. After working 3 years in Patrol, you are eligible to apply for other assignments. |
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