Lateral Police Officer

Are you looking for a lateral growth opportunity working in a fast-paced, learning environment?  Do you have the desire to impact, inspire and influence those you encounter each day?

The City of Gresham is accepting applications for Lateral Police Officers! The Police Department is seeking Lateral Police Officers of sound moral character. The Police Officers are expected to be self-disciplined and highly motivated, while demonstrating honesty and integrity in representing the core values of the community. Successful candidates will reinforce the department's efforts to achieve goals and objectives in providing public safety to the community and its citizens. 

Why Gresham?

Work-life balance 
Our police officers are dedicated and hard-working. But when they’re off duty, you’ll find them hitting the slopes, windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge, and more.

• Skiing or snowboarding at Mt. Hood, less than an hour away.
• Boating or windsurfing at the Columbia River Gorge, less than an hour away.
• 20-minute drive (and an easy commute) to downtown Portland, Oregon’s largest city—catch a Trail Blazers game, visit the theater, or explore the food scene.
• Camping and recreational activities with easy access, whether in the mountains or by rivers.
• Scenic two-hour ride to Pacific Ocean coast.
• In town, enjoy Gresham’s historic downtown with more than 150 shops, restaurants and service businesses, or explore the 1,100+ acres of parks, natural areas and trails within the city.

Grow your Career 
Whatever your interest, we’ve got an opportunity for you. Challenge yourself with new specialty assignments and build your future here with promotional opportunities.

• SWAT
• Crisis Negotiation
• Vehicle Collision Team (VCT)
• Explosive Detection Unit
• K-9
• Detectives
• FBI Safe Streets Task Force
• School Resources Officers
• Field Training Officers
• Training Instructors
• Service Coordination Team
• UAV Pilots
• Honor Guard

Financial Stability
We offer competitive living-wage salaries with generous benefit packages. In addition to base salary, officers are eligible for overtime pay, premium pay for participation in specialty or instructor assignments, certification pay, shift differential, and other incentives. Benefits include:

• Paid Time Off (vacation): From 21.33 hours per month*
• Sick leave for longer-term illnesses.
• Medical, vision, dental and life insurance.
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• City participates in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Health reimbursement account.
• Flexible spending account.
• Deferred compensation.
• Uniforms, uniform cleaning, weapon and other equipment provided.

*Starting PTO accrual will be determined using the accrual matrix in GPOA contract and based on total years of previous experience as a full-time public safety employee at another law enforcement agency (or agencies) plus time served at the Police Department.

Starting Salary Information:  OREGON OR OUT-OF-STATE EXPERIENCE. A new employee (certified or certifiable) with police experience in Oregon or another state and hired under the criteria of the City's lateral entry program shall be credited one pay step for each completed year of previous full-time paid experience as a sworn officer, up to a maximum starting pay of one step below the top step of the police officer salary range, which is currently Step 6. A lateral entry employee will be eligible to advance one step and additional subsequent steps on the salary schedule after successful completion of twelve (12) months of service in each step.

 

We are pleased to offer:

• A referral bonus of $1,000 once the referral has been sworn in
• Educational reimbursements up to $5,000 per year

Position Description

Gresham Police Officers provide emergency aid, security, and protection of life and property for the citizens of Gresham by patrolling business, rural, and residential areas. They respond to requests for information and assistance, investigate criminal activity, subdue combative suspects, make arrests, work with people to solve problems associated with crime and neighborhood problems, and ensure proper enforcement of laws and regulations.
 
The ideal candidate will have current knowledge and understanding of the following:

• Federal, State of Oregon, Multnomah County, and City of Gresham laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Criminal behavior and causes underlying criminality and social, psychological and physical needs of criminals.
• Standard police practices, methods, and procedures.
• Safety standards, procedures, and precautions utilized in police activities.
• Methods of investigation, apprehension, and rules of evidence.
• Basic first aid and CPR procedures.
• The safe and appropriate use of firearms and other police related equipment.

Qualifications

To be considered a lateral applicant you must meet all of the following minimum qualifications:

• Have completed a state certified police academy,
• Have completed a law enforcement field training program or passed a probationary period of not less than one (1) year with a law enforcement agency as a full-time sworn officer.
• Have been employed as a full-time sworn officer within the five (5) year period prior to appointment to this position.
• Have at least a High School Diploma or G.E.D
• Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the date of hire
• Have no felony criminal record
• Be a US Citizen within 18 months from the hire date
• Have a driving record that meets the department standards

Candidates must have the ability to:

• Pass a pre-suitability assessment screening
• Pass a comprehensive background investigation
• Pass a post job offer psychological evaluation, medical examination, and drug screen 

Employment Automatic Disqualifiers list (CLICK HERE) (Download PDF reader)

For more details and to apply, visit:  https://GreshamOregon.gov/jobs

If you have questions, please contact HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov