How to become a police officer in Oregon
In Oregon, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Oregon Basic Police Certification. At the Portland Police Bureau, new hires start at $84,053 a year, rising to $119,662 after about 8 years. You must be at least 21.
Pay at the Portland Police Bureau
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Portland Police Bureau, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $84,053 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $119,662 |
| Years to top | 8 |
Portland Police Bureau recruiting site wage table: Entry $84,052.80; Year 1 $86,611.20; Year 2 $91,790.40; Year 3 $97,468.80; Year 4 $102,980.80; Year 5 $109,470.40; Year 6 $112,798.40; Year 7 $116,147.20; Year 8 $119,662.40. Plus $5,000 hiring bonus, $1/hr crisis intervention training pay, longevity premiums at 15/20/25 years (3%/5%/7%), lateral range $97K-$120K, relocation reimbursement up to $10,000.
Source:[joinportlandpolice.com]
Pay for this work across Oregon
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Oregon, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 5,030 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $66,380 |
| Median pay | $88,140 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $109,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma, GED, or four-year college degree
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or a nonimmigrant legally admitted under a Compact of Free Association (ORS 181A.490)
- Must be hired by an Oregon public safety agency first; Oregon has no self-sponsored police academies
- Agency pre-employment steps may include background investigation, psychological evaluation and physical examination
- Fingerprints submitted within 90 days of hire; medical examination (DPSST F2a form)
- Must start DPSST Basic Police training within 90 days of hire (agency may delay to 120 days)
- Must be certified within 18 months of hire (DPSST may extend up to one year for good cause)
- Must pass the Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT) during the academy; current First Aid and Adult/Child CPR
Source:[law.cornell.edu]
Hiring process
- Hire by an Oregon law enforcement agency
- Background investigation
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical examination
- Fingerprints within 90 days of hire
- DPSST Basic Police academy within 90 days of hire (ORPAT required)
- Field Training Manual
- Apply for Basic Police certification within 18 months of hire
Source:[oregon.gov]
Required training
640 hours minimum, 16 weeks.[oregon.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), OPSRP Pension Program (police officer/firefighter)
- Benefit formula: 1.8 percent of final average salary x years of retirement credit as a police officer or firefighter (ORS 238A.125)
- When you can retire: Normal retirement age for police officers/firefighters (last 60 months as police/fire): the earlier of age 55, or age 53 with 25 years of retirement credit; earliest (reduced) retirement age 50 (ORS 238A.160, 238A.165)
OPSRP covers PERS members hired after August 28, 2003. Portland Police Bureau's own coverage was not confirmed on an official page.
Source:[oregonlegislature.gov]