How to become a police officer in Washington
In Washington, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Peace Officer Certification. At the Seattle Police Department, new hires start at $117,792 a year, rising to $154,248 after about 4.5 years.
Pay at the Seattle Police Department
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Seattle Police Department, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $117,792 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $154,248 |
| Years to top | 4.5 |
| Scale effective | 2025-12-31 |
Seattle police union contract wages effective December 31, 2025.
Source:[seattle.gov]
Pay for this work across Washington
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Washington, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 9,160 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $79,120 |
| Median pay | $102,080 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $132,200 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient (verified in the background investigation)
- Background investigation completed within the prior six months: criminal history, national decertification index, commission records, prior law enforcement disciplinary records
- Inquiry into potential impeachment disclosure (Brady) lists and any affiliation with extremist organizations; review of social media accounts
- Psychological examination by a Washington-licensed psychiatrist or psychologist
- Polygraph or similar truth-verification assessment
- Fingerprint-based national criminal history check through the Washington State Patrol and FBI
- Certification must be denied for a felony, gross misdemeanor domestic violence offense, sex offense, or offense with sexual motivation (under the conditions in RCW 43.101.105), or if prohibited from possessing weapons
- Agencies may make only a conditional offer of employment pending the background investigation
- Must start the Basic Law Enforcement Academy within six months of hire
Source:[app.leg.wa.gov]
Hiring process
- Application and agency entry exam (agency-specific)
- Conditional offer of employment
- Background investigation (criminal history, prior employers, social media, Brady list inquiry)
- Psychological examination
- Polygraph examination
- Physical Ability Test (PAT) about two weeks before the academy
- Basic Law Enforcement Academy (720 hours) within six months of hire
- Officer certification by WSCJTC
Source:[cjtc.wa.gov]
Required training
720 hours minimum. WSCJTC: students attend 720 academy hours, including 200 hours of LETCSA courses. All general authority officers of city, county and other mandated agencies must start BLEA within six months of hire (WAC 139-05-200). Recruits must pass the PAT to attend. Diploma requires passing standardized written exams and practical skills evaluations within the academy (WAC 139-05-240); no separate state licensing exam.[cjtc.wa.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System (LEOFF) Plan 2
- Benefit formula: 2% of final average salary for each year of service; members new after February 1, 2021 with more than 15 years get a tiered multiplier: 2% for the first 15 years, 2.5% for years 16-25, 2% above 25 years (RCW 41.26.420)
- When you can retire: Normal retirement at age 53 with at least 5 service credit years; early retirement at age 50 with 20 years, actuarially reduced for each year before 53 (RCW 41.26.430)
LEOFF Plan 2 is the statewide plan for city and county law enforcement officers.
Source:[app.leg.wa.gov]