Career with the Ridgefield Police Department

Benefits

• HEALTH INSURANCE

  • 100% Employer Paid for Employee
  • 90% Employer Paid for Family

• PAID LEAVE

  • 88 Hours Vacation/Year
  • Accrue 11 Hours Sick Leave/Month
  • 12 Paid Holidays

• $750 FITNESS BONUS

• RETENTION BONUS

• 5% INSTRUCTOR PAY

• LEOFF RETIREMENT

• COLLEGE INCENTIVE PAY

  • 2% Associate, 4% Bachelor

• SPECIALTY, SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL AND LONGEVITY PAY

• ONGOING, QUALITY TRAINING

• TAKE HOME VEHICLE

• SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

• COLLABORATIVE TEAM ENVIRONMENT

• DRONE PROGRAM

The recruitment and selection process for a police officer with the Ridgefield Police Department includes the following steps.

1. Application
   • All candidates apply online or via telephone with Public Safety Testing. At the time of application, candidates will schedule a testing date.
2. Written Examination
   • A standardized written examination is conducted by Public Safety Testing. To be successful, candidates must score a minimum of 70% on the exam.
3. Physical Ability Test
   • The physical fitness ability test is conducted by Public Safety Testing and is identical to the test used by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. No numerical score is provided for this test, it is a pass-or-fail test.
4. Structured Oral Interview
   • The interview consists of a series of questions asked by a panel of law enforcement professionals that are designed to assess the candidate's job skills and abilities.
5. Certification on an Eligibility List
   • The names of candidates who successfully complete testing are merged into an eligibility list according to final overall scores.
6. Background Investigation
   • A background investigator conducts a comprehensive investigation based on information provided by the candidate in an interview and on a personal history questionnaire. The investigation includes a criminal background check, a review of credit history, a series of personal interviews with current and former employers as well as personal and professional references, and a polygraph examination.
7. Medical Testing
   • Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to successfully complete a psychological evaluation and a medical evaluation.

A police officer candidate who receives a final offer of employment with the City of Ridgefield completes a rigorous training program including:

1. Law Enforcement Academy
   • Entry-level police officers will complete 720 hours (4.5 months) of basic law enforcement academy training with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC).
2. Field Training Officer Program
   • The three-month field training and evaluation program with Ridgefield Police Department is to train new officers so that they are prepared to function as solo patrol officers.
   • The approximate amount of time it takes for an entry-level officer to be trained to function as a solo patrol officer is between seven and ten months from the date of hire. For lateral entry police officers, the training period is shorter due to the officer's experience and required academy training