Police Officer

Title:  Police Officer  - Preference will be given to Lateral Candidates

Department: Police

Salary Grade: 139

Salary Range:  $34.22 - 40.69 an hour plus incentives - Beginning negotiations July 2025

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Represented

The City of Sandy seeks candidates for the position of police officer. Those with a demonstrated record of exemplary service in public safety (or policing) are strongly encouraged to apply. Successful candidates for this position will have a demonstrated history of integrity, honesty, and moral characteristics beyond reproach.

Join us for a Meet and Greet on Tuesday, June 24th from 6 - 8 pm at the Sandy Police Department, 39850 Pleasant St., Sandy, OR.  You can download the flyer below along with the full Job Description.   

You are encouraged to participate in a Ride Along.  You can complete the form below and drop it by the Sandy Police Department or email to gthornton@ci.sandy.or.us. 

LATERAL DEFINITIONS: 

For purposes of application, a lateral is someone who has successfully passed the DPSST Basic Academy, or equivalent, in the past 5 years prior to application.

For purposes of hiring preference, a lateral is someone who has passed the DPSST Basic Academy and achieved solo officer status with their current department, or a department they have left in the past 5 years prior to application.

Laterals are not required to complete the NTN’s Frontline National Exam but may be asked to perform a physical test prior to a conditional offer.  

RECRUITS: PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION, as it is important to your success in this recruitment process. 

Recruit Candidates MUST complete the following PRIOR to submitting an on-line City of Sandy application.

Complete and pass the NTN’s Frontline National Exam with a 70% or above. Remember to select Sandy Police Department within your NTN profile. Visit www.nationaltestingnetwork.com and the Public Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA, accessed through your NTN candidate account). Remember to tag City of Sandy in your candidate account. Call NTN directly if you need assistance with this step. 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE  RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

• As part of the city’s hiring process, candidates must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation, medical screening, and psychological screening in accordance with Oregon Administrative Rules. The background investigation for prior public safety or private security employment will include a review of complaints, personnel investigations, and disciplinary actions against the public safety officer or private security provider. In addition, the department will conduct a DPSST Records Review, DPSST Review of Professional Standards Cases and Economic Sanctions, and may include a review of the National De-certification Index as necessary.
• ORPAT REQUIREMENT: You must have a passing ORPAT score of 5:30 PRIOR to a conditional offer being made during this recruitment process. It can be through NTN or through another agency as long as it complies with state standards and is not altered or adjusted by the agency offering the test, and is less than a year old. Test scores will only be accepted through the agency of testing. 

1. Application Review and Oral Board Invitation: The candidate’s application will be reviewed weekly and if ALL the criteria is met, will receive an email inviting them to schedule a date and time for an Oral Board interview OR an email informing that you have not selected to move forward. Check your email on a regular basis including your spam. 

2. Oral Board Interview: The Oral Board will consist of a 3-5 person panel followed by a Chief Interview. - First Oral Board will be during the early part of July. 

3. Background Investigation: Those prospective hires who pass the Oral Boards will be presented a conditional job offer and undergo a preliminary background investigation. At any time during this preliminary background process, you may be notified that you are not moving forward in the process and no reason will be given. It will be required at that point to sign a release for background and complete a Statement of Personal History. 

3a. Possible 2nd Chief Interview: Candidates that move forward from the preliminary background, may be scheduled for an additional Chief interview. 

4. Final Background Steps: Those candidates that move forward will need to successfully pass a Psychological Exam, Medical Examination and Drug Test prior to a formal offer letter being presented.

DISQUALIFICATIONS: 

The following types of illegal drug use or possession will be considered an automatic disqualification in the pre-employment selection process for police personnel, with no exceptions:

• The illegal possession, sale, distribution, manufacture, or use of a controlled substance within the last five years. 
• Illegal use of marijuana within the last year.

Oregon will not certify as a police officer anyone who has been convicted of certain crimes.  Please visit the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) website for more information. 

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

In a patrol duty or other specialized assignment, maintain public peace and order, protect life and property, prevent crime, apprehend suspected violators of the law and otherwise assure the enforcement of State laws and City ordinances under the jurisdiction of the Chief of Police.

Department Patrol Officers are expected to perform conscientiously, proficiently, independently any and all assigned duties. The Sandy Police Department serves the public while recognizing the importance placed on law enforcement activities by the public and for tactful, respectful and courteous treatment of all individuals within the jurisdiction

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential competencies of this job are described under the headings below and may be subject to change at any time. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.  All applicants must have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform all the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Read, write, speak and understand the English language with sufficient proficiency to communicate effectively in person, over police radios and via written reports and courtroom testimony
• Working knowledge of applicable state laws and local ordinances for effective enforcement of said laws and ordinances
• Ability to respond safely, effectively and efficiently to incidents and issues by driving a police vehicle safely in both emergency and non-emergency situations
• Investigate and write complete reports for all incidents that are legible, clear, credible and concise
• Work shift work, weekends, holidays; available for call out on all major incidents and crimes; overtime as needed
• Physically be able to control a person, including those resisting arrest by knowing, understanding and applying the appropriate use of necessary force
• Detail oriented, ability to observe, memorize and recall events, individuals and actions in order to maintain excellent reports and prepare for court
• Safe, appropriate use and care of department issued, or approved firearms as outlined in department regulations
• Participate in Court Process: Prepare for trial/hearings. Must be able to give testimony in a court of law without being subject to impeachment due to his/her honesty or veracity (or opposites) or due to prior felony conviction. Be able to collect and present physical evidence, sworn statements and visual aids.
• Perform duties and maintain personal conduct, both on and off duty, attitude and appearance that conform to established strict policies, procedures and discipline within a para military chain of command system and organization.
• Conducts self at all times in an ethical manner maintaining composure and control under adverse conditions while being vigilant and ready to respond calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Analyzes complex and evolving situations with tact, courtesy, firmness and fairness; respecting the rights of all individuals while developing reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances.
• Establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with other employees, public officials, the general public and community and government groups; occasionally speaking and conducting presentations on topics of public safety to them.

​JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

MANDATORY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:  

Must be at least 21 years of age, a US Citizen, or actively becoming a US Citizen (DPSST requirement within 18 months of appointment). A high school diploma, GED or its equivalent is required. Possess and maintain, in good standing a valid Oregon driver’s license.  Must have good judgment, communication, and interpersonal skills as demonstrated by past work history and interactions with others.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/LICENSES:

CPR/First Aid card and valid driver’s license.  

DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES:

Associate or Bachelor degree in relevant field of Criminology/Justice or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Demonstrated abilities with Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Social Perception, Negotiation and Persuasion in addition to current Oregon law and Legal theory.

BENEFITS:

Benefits Information: Comprehensive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid vacation, sick, holiday and comp time and PERS contribution. The City also provides a gym membership allowance and the ability to take home vehicle within 30 miles of
city. Represented union position through Clackamas County Police Officer Association (CCPOA). Please see our website for more details. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Sandy will give consideration to all qualified applicants for appointment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, political affiliations, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor.

Veterans who meet the minimum qualifications for a position open for recruitment may be eligible for preference in employment under Oregon law. If you are a Qualified Veteran or Qualified Disabled Veteran and would like to be granted preference in the selection and hiring process for a specific posted job, please fill out this Veterans’ Preference Form and provide proof of eligibility by submitting a copy of form DD-214 or 215 (copy 4). This completed form and required supporting documentation must be submitted with your application in order for consideration for Veterans’ Preference.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:  You must apply via the on-line application and upload your Cover Letter, Resume and DD-214 if applicable