Career with the Ridgefield Police Department

Entry Level

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

Application
All candidates apply online or via telephone with www.publicsafetytesting.com . At the time of application, candidates will schedule a testing dates.

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.

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.

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.

Certification on an Eligibility List
The names of candidates who successfully complete testing are merged into an eligibility list according to final overall scores.

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.

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 complete a rigorous training program including:

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).

Field Training Officer Program
The three month field training and evaluation program with RPD is to train new officers so that they are prepared to function as a solo patrol officer.

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

Lateral Level

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

Application
All candidates apply online or via telephone with www.publicsafetytesting.com. At the time of application, candidates will schedule a testing dates.

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.

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.

Certification on an Eligibility List
The names of candidates who successfully complete testing are merged into an eligibility list according to final overall scores.

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.

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 complete a rigorous training program including:

Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy
Out of State lateral police officers will complete 80 hours (2 week) Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC). In state laterals are not require to take additional academy training.

Field Training Officer Program
The three month field training and evaluation program with RPD is to train new officers so that they are prepared to function as a solo patrol officer.

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