Police Employment Information

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The Mercer Island Police Department is continuously recruiting qualified candidates for the position of Police Officer. Lateral, experienced, and entry level candidates are encouraged to apply with our department. If you wish to speak with a Police Department representative who is knowledgeable with the recruitment process, please call Sgt. Scott Schroeder at 206-275-7928  or via email Scott.Schroeder@mercerisland.gov.

• Entry Level Applicants
  Our initial written and physical agility testing is performed by Public Safety Testing. For more information on the written and physical agility testing process, including dates, times and locations, please visit PublicSafetyTesting.com.  In addition to the written and physical agility tests, candidates will be required to successfully complete an oral board interview, background investigation, polygraph, psychological examination, and comprehensive medical examination. 
• Experienced Applicants
  To qualify for this category the applicant will need to have been a full-time, fully commissioned, and certified law enforcement officer with less than twenty-four (24) months of the last thirty-six (36) months in that position.  Additionally, the applicant must possess a Washington State Peace Officers Certification or the equivalent. 
• Lateral Applicants
  To qualify for this category the applicant will need to have been a full-time, fully commissioned and certified law enforcement officer with at least twenty-four (24) months of the last thirty-six (36) months in that position.  Additionally, the applicant must possess a Washington State Peace Officers Certification or the equivalent.  Lateral applicants can begin the application process at PublicSafetyTesting.com lateral description or on the City's Job Opportunities page.

The City of Mercer Island offers competitive wages and benefit packages, as well as longevity pay, tuition reimbursement and education incentive pay.
 
The Mercer Island Police Department is a progressive law enforcement agency that exemplifies professionalism and service to the community. The department employs 31 commissioned police officers who serve a unique community with a population of nearly 25,000. The department offers many specialty assignments to its officers to include community, school, and marine related positions.

Benefits

• Starting Patrol Officer $88,483 (2024) (does not reflect specialty pay or education incentive of 2% for A.A. Degree or 5% for B.A. or B.S. Degree)
• Top Patrol $132,461 (2024) (Includes longevity pay)
• Officers may also be eligible for a 2% fitness incentive, 2% night premium, and sick time cash out at retirement.  
• Depending on experience, lateral and experienced officers may begin at a pay rate higher than the starting rate.
• Positions in specialty units (Marine Patrol Officers, Special Operations Team members, Dive Team members and others) are available based on availability, training, and experience.
• Work Shifts: Patrol section officers work 12 hours per shift. Most non-uniformed officers work 10 hour shifts, with 4 days on-duty, followed by 3 days off.
• Uniforms & Equipment: All uniforms and equipment (including academy uniforms) are supplied by the department. Uniform cleaning is also provided by the department.
• Insurance: Police employees receive excellent medical, dental and vision insurance coverage to include dependent family plans.  A Retirement Health Care Savings plan (RHS) is available to employees.  The City of Mercer Island provides paid life insurance premiums for employees as well.
• Long Term Disability Insurance for employees is paid for by the department and is available for dependents.
• Vacation starts accruing at 8 hours per month and increases with longevity to 16 hours per month.
• Officers receive 120 hours of Holiday, between 96 and 192 hours of vacation, and Patrol Officers receive 144 hours of Personal Leave (Kelly) a year.
• All officers are enrolled in the Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System (LEOFF).
• A Deferred Compensation program is made available to those employees who choose to participate.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be 21 years of age or older at the time of application.
• U.S. Citizenship is required for employment.
• Excellent physical condition is encouraged and preferred.
• Candidates must:
  • Demonstrate excellent work attendance
  • Possess or obtain a valid Washington State driver's license (before the end of the probationary period)
  • Have a good driving record
  • Possess good written and verbal communication skills
  • Possess interpersonal and customer service skills
  • Be able to prioritize and solve problems, utilize and enforce city and state codes, read maps and multi-task

Selection Process

• Candidates are required to take and pass the physical agility and written examination administered by PublicSafetyTesting.com.  This requirement is waived for lateral and experienced officers.
• Candidates must attend and pass an oral interview in front of a Police Oral Interview Panel (you will be notified by the department when this will take place)
• Candidates must undergo an extensive background investigation, to include, but not limited to an aptitude examination and polygraph examination
• Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must complete and pass a psychological and medical examination, to include a drug screening

The City of Mercer Island is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages all qualified persons to apply.