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UW Police

Campus Police Officer

Job Description

Payroll Title: Campus Police Officer (NE S Teamsters 117 UWPO)

The new Division of Campus Community Safety (DCCS) unifies front-line public safety units across the University for a holistic approach to campus community safety, innovation in approaches, and clarity in leadership responsibility and accountability. Key units include UW Emergency Management, SafeCampus and the UW Police Department Seattle campus. Division staff work daily in partnership with units across and outside the UW system to both create safer, welcoming campus environments; prepare for potential natural or human-made disasters; and respond appropriately to incidents.

The University of Washington Police Department Overview

Safeguarding the academic community with P.R.I.D.E. The University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) has the exclusive responsibility to act upon law-enforcement matters and perform police functions for the Seattle Campus of the University of Washington, 24 hours a day. Police Officers at the UWPD respond to public calls for service within a very diverse community, providing community-oriented law enforcement services to the campus and nearby areas, enforcing state laws, city ordinances, and University regulations. Police Officers conduct criminal and traffic investigations, make arrests, prepare necessary documentation and testify in court. Officers also provide for the safety and security of persons and property at University events and attend community meetings.

The University of Washington Police Department is housed in a state-of-the-art police facility. We are looking for dedicated professionals with police experience to join our ranks. We have so much to offer including a pleasant atmosphere, policing a student population, specialty positions, working PAC-12 sporting events, lucrative overtime assignments and an opportunity to practice the community policing and service expected from our internationally and state accredited police department. The UWPD is involved in crime prevention, uniformed patrol response, crowd control, dignitary protection, facilities security, traffic control and enforcement, criminal investigations, and emergency management. We are committed to officer training, a high officer-to-area ratio and innovative policing strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

  • Patrol a designated area on foot or in a patrol car to enforce institution rules and regulations, local, state, and federal statutes, and ordinances
  • Inspect buildings and grounds for trespassers, fire, property damage, or other irregularities
  • Direct and regulate traffic; investigate accidents or crimes; administer first aid; issue citations for violations; gather evidence; locate witnesses; appear in court, present evidence, and testify against persons accused of criminal activity
  • Officers in the K9 unit pose for a picture by the block W statue on 45th street.Operate department communication equipment; answer telephone inquiries; receive reports of criminal activity; dispatch foot and mobile units; operate paging system; monitor alarm systems; prepare and distribute reports
  • Deter or, when necessary, disperse illegal gatherings
  • Appropriately respond to campus demonstrations to safeguard free speech and protect people and property
  • Maintain surveillance of areas for criminal activity
  • Issue misdemeanor citations; investigate, arrest and/or book suspects into applicable detention facilities for misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felony offenses
  • Assist city or county police and state patrol in cases of emergency

Specialized Units/Opportunities
UW Police Officers have unique opportunities to work in specialized units and assignments. These units and assignments include:

  • Detective Unit
  • Community Engagement Unit
  • Bicycle Officers
  • Field Training Officers
  • Plain clothes detail
  • Explosives Detection K-9 Unit
  • Dignitary Protection assignments
  • Incident Prevention Team

Shifts:
Police Officers work a variety of shifts depending on their assignment. These shifts may include traditional 5x8s or 4x10s, with some weekend work required.

In 2017, UWPD was the first police department in the State of Washington to achieve joint accreditation under the new accreditation program by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), in addition to its CALEA accreditation. UWPD is proud to be internationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Initially accredited in 2005, the agency has maintained compliance with 462 national standards/best practices, achieved reaccredited status in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2021 and working on reaccreditation for 2025.

All qualified Lateral candidates are invited to participate in the selection process, which will include an Oral Board (panel interview), a writing exam, and a ride-along with a Field Training Officer. A background investigation, polygraph, medical exam, and psychological examination are required of all police officer candidates.

All out-of-state lateral applicants must meet the requirements outlined in Washington Administrative code 139-05-210 “Basic Law Enforcement Certificate of Equivalency” and be qualified to attend the Washington State Equivalency Academy.

Minimum Requirements:

  • High school graduation or equivalent
  • Be at least twenty-one years of age upon completion of the Police Academy
  • Possess a valid Washington State driver’s license (by date of hire)
  • No felony convictions
  • At least two years of full-time college (90 credit hours if quarter system or 60 credit hours if semester system) in police science or related field; OR one year of police or campus security experience.
  • U.S. citizenship at time of examination or a lawful permanent resident who can read and write the English language.
  • Lateral Candidates: Must have a minimum of two years’ experience as a full-time, paid commissioned officer, and no more than a 24-month break in service; more than a 24-month break in service will require successful completion of the Washington State Equivalency course.

Note: Federal law enforcement officers/agents, corrections officers, jailers, game wardens, military police officers, special or reserve officers/deputies, or any other such positions which fall outside the above guidelines do NOT qualify for Lateral positions.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Fluency in other languages (such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Russian, etc.)

Conditions of Employment:
Police officers are on duty 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and their services and facilities are available at all times. Must be flexible for scheduling. Day shift, swing shift and night shift are shifts that you must be willing to work. Overtime is regularly available and at times, may be required.

 

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

Reapplication is permitted at any time, except for candidates disqualified for reasons of prior felony convictions or non-correctable selection.

Please note: It may take 2 to 4 months to successfully complete all phases of the selection process from Oral Boards to Official Offer of Employment.

Apply online at UWHIRES.

Helpful tips for locating open positions at the UWPD:

  1. Select “Seattle Campus” in the Location textbox.
  2. In the Keywords textbox, type “Police Dept” to find openings.
  3. A complete application includes:
    • Copying/pasting a comprehensive and updated resume into your candidate profile.
    • Completing the Police Officer Minimum Qualifications Assessment
    • Completing the How did you Hear Assessment
    • Completing the Criminal History Disclosure assessment.
    • Completing the US Work Authorization Assessment. Part of the application process for this position includes completing the US Work Authorization Assessment to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. The assessment will appear on your screen for you to complete as soon as you select “Apply to this Position” on this job announcement. Once you begin the assessment, it must be completed at that time. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until the assessment is complete.

All information submitted will be considered to determine the applicant’s qualifications for this position. Please ensure that your name and contact information including current email address is listed in your online candidate profile as well as in your resume. Public Safety Testing (PST) conducts our Background Investigation Process. A completed Personal History Statement will be required for those who progress to the Background Investigation Process and you can complete it at www.publicsafetytesting.com. Under Law Enforcement Officer, select Washington and then find University of Washington Police Department Process. Detailed information requested includes:

  • Addresses of all residences
  • References
  • Names and addresses of family members
  • Arrests and criminal history
  • Traffic driving record
  • Military service
  • Employment history
  • Drug use
  • Education history
  • Memberships in professional organizations
  • Financial information

Copies of the following documents:

  • High school diploma/GED certificate
  • Social Security Card
  • Driver’s License
  • Birth Certificate (Certified copy)
  • Transcripts of college grades (Certified copy from Institution Registrar)
  • Any other documents, certificates, resumes, performance evaluation reports, etc., which show your abilities and training for the position

Oral Boards

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications may be invited to participate in Oral Boards.

Additional Selection Steps

A thorough background investigation shall be conducted. The additional steps may include:

  • Interview with Hiring Committee
  • Conditional Offer
  • Polygraph Test
  • Psychological Evaluation
  • Medical Examination (to include drug screen)
  • Official Offer of Employment

The UW Police Department Facility is located at 3939 15th Avenue NE, just south of Gould Hall. The location is in the growing west campus area and is also near the NE 40th Avenue west entrance to main campus. The facility is 29,000 sf and includes police offices, training/meeting rooms, dispatch and communications center, records, locker rooms, physical fitness room, booking and holding rooms, evidence storage, and on-site fleet parking.