One Badge. One City. One Team.
Step up to the challenge
The Bellevue Police Department is a growing law enforcement agency with many exciting job opportunities. A career with the Bellevue Police is challenging, yet very rewarding. As a Bellevue police officer, you will deal with a variety of people and cultures as you work to keep Bellevue one of the safest cities in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more about us and Bellevue in the recruiting video below, then apply and accept the challenge to protect this city.
One of the best places to be a police officer
One of the largest and fastest-growing cities in Washington, Bellevue is one of the best places to work as a police officer. The department has a tradition of success, as Bellevue enjoys an exceptionally low crime rate and is one of the safest cities in the Northwest. For a department its size, Bellevue's force offers the opportunity to serve in many specialized positions.The Bellevue Police Department serves a population of approximately 150,000 in a roughly 33-square mile area. The city is bordered by Kirkland and Redmond to the north, Renton and Newcastle to the south, Issaquah to the east, and Clyde Hill, Medina and Mercer Island to the west.
Currently, the department has over 186 commissioned personnel, along with 47 non-commission personnel. Commissioned ranks are, in ascending order: officer, corporal, sergeant, captain, major, assistant chief and chief. The police chief is appointed by the city manager.
After two to three years of service, officers may be eligible to apply for specialties, depending on the position. Service time at other departments may be considered after the probationary period is passed.
Full-time specialty sections for commissioned personnel within the department include:
- Accident investigations
- Motorcycle traffic enforcement
- School resource officer
- Community station officer
- Detective - violent crimes, property crimes, fraud
Collateral Duties/Specialties (part-time)
- Field training officer
- Crowd control
- Hostage negotiator
- Honor guard
- Bomb technician
- SWAT
- Defensive tactics instructor
- Firearms instructor
- Evidence technician
- Emergency vehicle drivers instructor
The City of Bellevue is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce.
Lateral Police Jobs
Successful lateral candidates may be eligible for a $16,000 signing bonus.
Lateral officers' starting pay is as high as $8,352/month or $100,231/year, PLUS incentives and numerous overtime opportunities.
Entry Police Jobs
New higher starting pay for entry-level officers is $6,521/month or $78,263 per year, PLUS incentives and numerous overtime opportunities. Most of our Officers make over $100,000 per year, including incentive pay and overtime.
Exceptional Entry
Officers with academy certification but less than two years experience.