Police Jobs
Entry-Level Testing
Application cycle is Open
December 28, 2022 - February 8, 2023
Testing will be conducted online or at a National Testing Network Testing Center.
Lateral Entry Testing
Application cycle is Open
January 13, 2023 – February 22, 2023
Testing will be conducted online or at a National Testing Network Test Center.
About our department
The Seattle Police Department is a large metropolitan public safety agency in Washington state. We receive over 800,000 911 calls annually in a city of 84 square miles.
Our patrol division is divided into five neighborhood precincts- North, South, East, West, and Southwest.
Our Harbor Unit patrols 59 square miles of waterways.
We have more specialty units than any other department in the state. Some of our follow-up units include traffic, harbor, mounted patrol, major crimes, crisis response, SWAT, arson and bombs, K9, collaborative (community) policing, forensics, training, and community response group.
A passion to serve Seattle
Everyday our officers do a little bit of everything - from investigating and solving crimes; to patrolling our waterways, parks and city streets; to keeping everyone safe during sporting events and parades; to connecting our city's most vulnerable residents with much-needed services.
"I just feel the need to help people that are vulnerable, and vulnerable doesn't necessarily mean that they can't take care of themselves or anything like that. It just means that they're unable to help themselves in that moment with what tools they have. We are given so many tools as police officers and as people to help others,"
- Officer Gabriele Arana
Seattle: one of America’s greatest cities
Seattle is a progressive city almost one million people. It's a place where more than 75 languages are spoken. Our city is home to well-known international companies, successful startups, and incredible small businesses. For years, Seattle has been one of the fastest-growing cities in America, a draw for families, students, and people in the tech sector. For anyone who wants to be surrounded by mountains, water, a thriving metropolis, and great schools this is the place for you!
"I like to think that Seattle is a small city that punches way above its weight in terms of natural beauty, culture and opportunity,"
- Assistant Chief Deanna Nollette
Uniquely Pacific Northwest patrol beats
At the Seattle Police Department, your patrol beat may be a major downtown street, a beautiful residential neighborhood with majestic mountain views, or inside a city park filled with towering trees. Looking for something even more unique? How about patrolling one of our major waterways as part of our Harbor Unit, riding a mountain bike throughout the city in our Bike Unit, or even connecting with the community as a member of our Mounted Patrol Unit with your equine partner?
"You have great opportunities for lateral movement... to apply for different jobs and have great training opportunities that you wouldn't otherwise have if you were with a smaller department,"
- Assistant Chief Eric Greening
Every officer a leader
Seattle Police Officers take an oath to serve and protect the people of Seattle. It's a job we take to heart and one that requires top-notch training and education. Our officers are successful community partners. They are natural leaders who are trained and equipped to do one of the toughest jobs in the world. The Seattle Police Department is a national leader in how we train and evaluate uses of force and de-escalation. We have robust policies surrounding bias-free policing and crisis intervention. The Seattle Police Department is committed to continuous improvement , innovation, and strengthening ties with the communities we serve.
"When I started looking into what kind of policing the Seattle Police Department really did and the community-based policing that they offer to the community, it really made me feel like this is where I wanted to become a police officer. And it was the only department I applied for because it was the only place, I wanted to be a police officer,"
- Officer Mia Nguyen