Police and Law Enforcement Personnel Management
This page provides information on personnel issues for local law enforcement agencies in Washington State, including pay and benefits, recruitment, training, volunteer and reserve programs, and other topics.
Overview
Unlike the majority of a public agency's employees, law enforcement work shifts are scheduled around the clock. They may be subject to civil service rules not applicable to the rest of the staff, making hiring, firing, and day-to-day supervision more of a challenge. In addition, the nature of the work itself places unique pressures on the employees and their families that affect job performance.
Pay and Benefits
Police officers enjoy base salaries above the national average, which can then be augmented by shift differential pay, longevity pay, overtime or comp time, and uniform and/or equipment allowances. Additionally, police enjoy benefits, retirement packages, and insurance coverage options that usually exceed those offered by private employers.
Law enforcement personnel may have unique overtime provisions; for more information see our page Overtime and Comp Time.
Resources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Police and Detectives (2016) — Offers statistics on pay scale, work environment, job outlook, etc
- National Institute of Justice: Police Overtime: An Examination of Key Issues (1998) — A review of how to record, manage, supervise, and pay for overtime
Recruitment
The statutory authority governing the recruitment of law executives and police officers is as follows:
- RCW 35.21.333 — Lists qualifications for chief of police or marshal
- RCW 36.28.025 — Lists qualifications for county sheriff
- RCW 35.21.334 — Requires background investigations for police officers
- RCW 43.101.095 — Requires a background investigation for applicants to police officer positions who are given a conditional offer of employment, to include criminal history, disciplinary records, presence on impeachment disclosure lists, past or present affiliation with a psychological examination, a polygraph test, and more
- RCW 43.101.095 — Requires all police officers obtain a peace officer certification as a condition of employment; as part of the certification, requires officers to authorize release to the employing agency the officer’s personnel files, including disciplinary, termination, civil or criminal investigations, or other records related to certification
Resources
- Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) — Under the law enforcement professional development outreach grant program, the CJTC awards grants to local law enforcement agencies to be used to encourage persons from underrepresented groups and communities to seek careers in law enforcement. See HB 1001 (2021).
- The Rand Center for Quality Policing: Police Recruitment and Retention in the Contemporary Urban Environment (2009) — This web-based resource has information about retention and recruitment. Its purpose is to promote evidence-based personnel planning by making information on police staffing readily available for police decision-makers in a searchable form.
- Office of Community Oriented Policing Services: Law Enforcement Recruitment Toolkit (2009) — Focuses on recruitment and includes specialized chapters on Diversity, Agency Collaboration, and Community
Training and Assessment
All law enforcement personnel must begin basic training within six months of being hired (RCW 43.101.200) and must complete violence de-escalation training within 15 months of being hired (RCW 43.101.450). Both trainings must comply with standards adopted by the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC).
Training Resources
- Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC): Basic Law Enforcement Academy — Provides Washington’s mandated training academy for all city and county entry-level peace officers in the state
- International Association of Chiefs of Police — Offers a variety of training opportunities from online, self-paced education sessions and webinars, to hosted, in-person training events and conferences
Assessment
An “assessment center” is a collection of simulated on-the-job challenges that assess a candidate’s ability to perform the job. Candidates participate individually and in groups in a series of real-life situations they may encounter on the job while being observed and evaluated by experts in policing, supervision, and management. The IACP offers an overview of Testing and Assessment Centers.
The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) recommends Public Safety Testing as a contractor for assessment center exercises.
Hiring
Lateral Transfer
Lateral entry/transfer for a police officer is similar to a qualification standard that applicants for certain police department positions must meet in order to be eligible to apply for the position. In general, lateral transfer candidates must already have a certain level of experience in law enforcement and be employed or have been employed by a police department.
Examples of Lateral Transfer Requiring Prior Service for a Specific Time Period
Generally, these examples require applicants to have been employed on a full-time basis for a period of time exceeding 12 consecutive months and not had a lapse of employment for a period exceeding the previous 12 months.
- Benton County Lateral Patrol Deputy Recruitment
- Des Moines Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations, Sec. 1.18.5(a)
- Grand Coulee Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations, Sec. 1.19
- Grant County Lateral Sheriff's Deputy Recruitment
- Spokane Lateral Police Officer Recruitment Packet
Examples of Lateral Transfers Requiring Experience in Law Enforcement
Some jurisdictions simply require the applicant have general experience in law enforcement but do not specify a time period.
- Bothell Civil Service Rules and Regulations, Sec. 1.16
- Lake Forest Park Municipal Code Sec. 2.16.080
Special Limited Commission/ Community Service Officers
A Community Service Officer (CSO) provides support in crime prevention, investigation, and response where full police powers are unnecessary and assists police officers in upholding law and order. Most CSOs are specially or limited commissioned peace officers and some are non-sworn (civilian) positions without powers of arrest. Most do not carry firearms, due to liability issues, but some are authorized to carry less lethal weapons such as tasers, batons, or pepper spray. All CSOs receive training in self-defense tactics.
Areas that tend to be covered by CSOs can include animal control, parking enforcement, traffic control, and airport, park, and school security.
Examples of Local Codes Allowing for Community Service Officers
- Kirkland Municipal Code Sec. 3.16.020
- Longview Municipal Code Sec. 2.42.045
- Sunnyside Municipal Code Ch. 2.22
Volunteer Programs
In addition to using CSOs to augment their workforce, police departments may also recruit volunteers to serve their communities in a variety of capacities, such as block watch captain or to support the administrative functions of a department. These volunteers do not have powers of arrest.
Run by the IACP, the Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) Program is a national resource that provides support and resources to law enforcement agencies interested in developing or enhancing a volunteer program.
Examples of Local Jurisdictions Offering Volunteer Opportunities
- Cheney Volunteers in Police Services
- Kenmore Police Citizen Volunteer Program
- Richland Volunteers in Police Service
- Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Volunteer Services
Police Reserves
A reserve police officer (also known as an auxiliary officer) is either a volunteer or paid worker, depending on the circumstance and the department for which they work. They perform law enforcement duties in their community.
City councilmembers may serve as reserve law enforcement officers for the city (as well as volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance personnel), but only if approved by a resolution adopted by two-thirds of the city council (RCW 35.21.770/35A.11.110).
Personnel Topics
Pregnancy
The 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. It is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Act requires that employers treat pregnancy like an injury or illness that renders the employee temporarily “disabled.”
Examples of Local Policies That Address Pregnancy
- Seattle Police Department Manual Sec. 4.080 — Allows pregnant employees to request limited duty assignments (per Seattle Municipal Code Sec. 4.10.010), family and medical leave, and pregnancy disability leave. Also allows them to claim long term disability benefits and/or to buy back service credit after they return to regular paid status or separate from employment
- Medina Police Department Standards Sec. 13.14 — With department approval, a pregnant employee can be assigned to light duty if her physician finds she in unable to “perform full duty” or “at the point where her issue uniform will no longer fit, whichever is first.” Section 13.13 details light duty
Problematic Performance
As with all workplaces, there will be some employees who do not meet performance expectations. Law enforcement is a profession in which ethics and ethical conduct play an important role. Ethical mandates that pertain to law enforcement officers include acting impartially, exercising discretion, using only necessary force, and maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and a professional image at all times. Because law enforcement is a public-facing position, it is critical that departments set clear guidelines as to expected behavior on the job and the repercussions for officers not meeting those requirements.
Resources
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Race, Trust, and Police Legitimacy webpage
- Enhancing Police Integrity (2005) — Research report measuring integrity instead of corruption
- Early Warning Systems: Responding to the Problem Police Officer (2001) — Summarizes a data-based, police management tool designed to identify officers whose behavior is problematic, as indicated by high rates of citizen complaints, use of force incidents, or other evidence of behavior problems, and discusses a 2-step intervention process designed to correct performance
- Principles for Promoting Police Integrity (2001) – Offers police policies and practices agencies can use to assess whether they are implementing approaches that promote civil rights integrity
- The Measurement of Police Integrity (2000) — Explores police officers’ understanding of rules concerning police misconduct, perceptions of disciplinary fairness, and willingness to report misconduct
Domestic Violence Involving Law Enforcement Officers
According to the IACP, domestic violence among law enforcement officers occurs as frequently as among the general population. Resources addressing this issue are as follows:
- Washington State Office of the Attorney General: Domestic Violence Involving Law Enforcement Officials — Includes a model policy and handbook
- Abuse of Power.com — A website maintained by Diane Wetendorf, an advocate, trainer, and consultant specializing in police-perpetrated domestic violence
Job-related Stress and Trauma
Law enforcement officers can be confronted with situations that can create emotional and mental burdens, which can then spillover into family, friends, and coworkers. The following are resources related to different types of stress and/or approaches for supporting law enforcement officers and other first responders.
Resources for General, Job-related Stress
- Community Oriented Policing Services: Officers’ Physical and Mental Health and Safety: Emerging Issues and Recommendations (2018) — This summary presents research findings discussed at the Officer Safety and Wellness Group meeting in April 2018
- Badge of Life — This nonprofit is dedicated to preventing incidents of officer suicide and addressing trauma
Trauma-induced Stress/Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
After a critical or traumatic incident, it is common practice to provide critical incident stress debriefing to first responders, including police. For example, the King County Sheriff’s General Order Manual Section 2.08.025 details the use and format of a critical incident stress debriefing and follows this with suggestions of counseling/support options for those who need additional services, such as the King County Emergency Medical Services or the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services.
Additional resources are as follows:
- Emergency Management: Beyond Debriefing: How to Address Responders Emotional Health (2013) — Discusses the role of critical incident stress debriefing and other practices and interventions that can be used to help first responders in the aftermath of a critical incident
- First Responder Support Network — Provides educational treatment programs to promote recovery from stress and critical incidents experienced by first responders and their families based on the West Coast.
Examples of Local Programs Designed to Address Trauma for First Responders
- Kent Police Department's Peer Support Policy and Program — Discusses the department's Critical Incident Stress Management Response program and the Peer Support Team program for staff
- Lakewood’s Training Resilient Leaders program — Funded through a Department of Justice grant, this 8-week pilot program is meant to precondition officers to better cope with the stresses inherent in their role as first-responders
- Renton — Officers are encouraged to use any or all of the following resources: peer support, police chaplain, the city’s Enforcement Assistant Program (EAP), “Safe Call Now” hotline for first responders (206-459-3020) and Copline, which offers a peer-to-peer support line for law enforcement officers (800-267-5463)
- Redmond — The city contracts with a peer support counselor who is available on-site on a limited basis to supplement the city’s ongoing EAP program. The service has proven quite helpful and the city is considering how to integrate it into the EAP program
- Whidbey CareNet — This is a nonprofit organization through which local providers offer free mental health and counseling services to relieve the stress and trauma experienced by emergency responders
- Spokane’s TEAM conference — Organized by the Spokane Police Department’s Mental Health Steering Committee, the focus of this annual event is how best to “serve individuals in crisis," which includes first responders
Chaplaincy Programs
A law enforcement chaplain is clergy with special interest and training for providing pastoral care in law enforcement. The International Conference of Police Chaplains maintains a website with a wealth of information and resources. Locally, the Washington Community Chaplain Corps (WC3) acts as a supplemental agency for incidents of crises and trauma when chaplain resources are limited or nonexistent.
Examples of Local Chaplaincy Programs
- Marysville Police Department and Fire District Chaplains program
- Cowlitz County Chaplaincy
- Tacoma-Pierce County Chaplaincy
Outside Employment
- Seattle Police Off-Duty Employment
- Snoqualmie Off Duty Employment Policy (1995)
- Spokane Municipal Code Sec. 3.10.020 – Extra duty employment policy.
- Sample Moonlighting Policies for Law Enforcement Personnel (1997) – Provides information on outside employment and off-duty misconduct. This remains a good resource document from a Summit Law Group presentation that occurred at the 17th Annual Labor Relations Institute.
Recommended Resources
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
- U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance – Provides grants, training and technical assistance, and policy development services to help state and local law enforcement agencies