Do you want to make a lasting impact, inspire others, and positively influence the people you encounter every day? Are you seeking a fast-paced, dynamic environment that supports professional growth, continuous learning, and active community involvement? Look no further!
The City of Gresham Police Department is accepting applications for Lateral Police Officer positions.
We are a full-service police department with a variety of opportunities for employees to build diverse skill sets and rewarding careers in law enforcement. The Gresham Police Department consists of 136 sworn positions. All employees are expected to strive for excellence while providing exceptional service to community members and customers in a positive and respectful manner. Employees are also expected to demonstrate creativity, vision, sound judgment, and effective problem-solving skills.
Police officers are assigned to one of three shifts (day, swing, or night), according to a semiannual seniority-based bidding process.
This is an open and continuous recruitment process. Qualified candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on an eligibility list, which will be used to fill current and future vacancies within the police department.
We are proud to offer competitive, living-wage salaries, comprehensive benefit and retirement packages, and extensive ongoing training opportunities designed to support employee growth and the evolving needs of a dynamic public safety organization. In addition to their base salary, officers may earn added compensation through overtime opportunities, specialty and instructor assignments, and advanced certification pay.
Benefits include:
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Paid vacation: From 21.33 hours per month*
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Education reimbursement up to $5,000
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Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)
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Sick leave for longer-term illnesses
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Medical, vision, dental and life insurance
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Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
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Long-term disability insurance
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Employee assistance program
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Health reimbursement account
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Flexible spending account
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Deferred compensation
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Uniforms, uniform cleaning, service weapon and other equipment provided
- Initial vacation accrual will be determined using a matrix in the police union contract, based on total years of previous experience as a full-time public safety employee at another law enforcement agency (or agencies), including time served with the Gresham Police Department.
For more information: Employee Benefits | City of Gresham (greshamoregon.gov)
Starting Salary Information
OREGON OR OUT-OF-STATE EXPERIENCE: A new employee (certified or certifiable) with police experience in Oregon or another state, hired under the criteria of the City's lateral entry program, shall be credited one pay step for each completed year of previous full-time paid experience as a sworn officer, up to a maximum starting pay of one step below the top step of the police officer salary range, which is currently Step 6. A lateral entry employee will be eligible to advance one step, and additional subsequent steps, on the salary schedule after successful completion of twelve (12) months of service in each step.
Grow your Career
At Gresham, police officers can pursue a variety of full-time and ancillary specialty assignments, develop diverse skill sets, and build a long-term career through competitive promotional opportunities. These opportunities include, but are not limited to:
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SWAT
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Crisis Negotiation
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K-9
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sUAS Pilots and DFR (drone as first responder)
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Explosive Detection Unit (EDU)
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Rapid Response Team (RRT- crowd management)
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Traffic Unit (including motorcycles)
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Vehicular Crimes Team (VCT)
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Detectives
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FBI Safe Streets Task Force
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Ceasefire (gun violence reduction)
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School Resources Officers (SRO)
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Public Information Officer (PIO)
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Field Training Officers (FTO)
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Training Instructors (firearms, PVO, survival skills, etc.)
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Behavior Health Unit (BHU)
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Honor Guard
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Internal promotional opportunities (sergeant, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief)
Work-life balance
While on the job, our police officers are dedicated, hard-working professionals. When off duty, they enjoy the many recreational and lifestyle opportunities our region has to offer.
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Ski or snowboard on Mt. Hood, located less than an hour away
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Boat, windsurf or hike in the scenic Columbia River Gorge, also less than an hour away
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Explore downtown Portland, just 15 miles away, where you can attend a Trail Blazers game, enjoy live theater, or experience the city's diverse dining scene
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Enjoy easy access to camping, hunting, fishing, and a variety of other outdoor recreational activities
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Take a scenic two-hour drive to the Oregon Coast and Pacific Ocean
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In Gresham, discover the charm of the historic downtown district, featuring more than 150 shops, restaurants, and service businesses, or explore over 1,100 acres of parks, natural areas, and trails throughout the city
The City of Gresham Police Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, people of color communities, women, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.
As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community where hard-working people, rich traditions, and a strong sense of heritage come together with innovation and opportunity. As a dynamic and growing city, Gresham is home to families and businesses that share a commitment to success and a desire to thrive.
City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve and go “one step beyond” to deliver services in collaborative, innovative, practical, and responsible ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding, offering our employees opportunities to make a meaningful difference each day.
We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The city seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.
Knowledge of:
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Laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances affecting city and police department policies and operations
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City government administration, organization, functions, and services
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Practices, principles, procedures, regulations, and techniques used in police work, including rules of evidence and methods of investigation and apprehension
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Criminal behavior and underlying causes of criminality; social, psychological, and physical needs of criminals
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Safe and appropriate use of police vehicles and equipment, including firearms and other specialized tools
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Safety practices, procedures, and precautions; basic first aid and CPR procedures
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Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and city staff
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Communication principles, practices, and techniques
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Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, and software applications
Ability to:
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Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
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Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
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Apply techniques, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and methods of crime prevention, investigation, apprehension, rules of evidence, and other aspects of law enforcement; read, understand, and explain complex laws, ordinances, plans, and orders
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Analyze problems quickly; deal effectively with people under hostile and emergency situations; physically handle people resisting arrest; perform effectively during emergencies and/or stressful situations
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Observe and accurately recall places, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents
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Skillfully and safely use firearms and other police-related tools
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Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts
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Operate police-related equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and body worn cameras
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Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; present information, proposals, recommendations, and evidence clearly and persuasively
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Physically perform the essential job functions
Candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for the position of Lateral Police Officer:
1) You must meet all the following Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) requirements:
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Be a United States Citizen within 18 months of employment
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Be at least 21 years of age by the date of hire
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Possess, at a minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent
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Declared by a physician as able to perform the physical duties as required by the occupation (Following a job offer, Gresham PD will send candidates for a department-paid medical/physical exam)
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Be of good moral fitness, with no history of behavior involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or a conviction of a sex crime, domestic violence and/or any felony crime
Information regarding the minimum qualifications for Oregon law enforcement officers is available in section 259-008-0010 of the Oregon Administrative Rules.
2) You must meet the following City of Gresham Police Department standards:
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Possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history
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Possess the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
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Display the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and citizens from a variety of racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds
Employment Automatic Disqualifiers List
Other qualities needed to perform the duties of a police officer include, but are not limited to, the ability to:
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Apply principles and techniques of modern crime prevention, investigation, apprehension, rules of evidence, and all other aspects of law enforcement
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Use firearms and other police-related tools in a skillful and safe manner
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Physically handle people resisting arrest or being physically resistive
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Use good interpersonal communication skills and be able to deescalate situations as appropriate
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Read and comprehend complex laws, ordinances, plans and orders
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Maintain composure under adverse conditions
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Analyze situations quickly and objectively, and recognize actual and potentially dangerous situations. Be able to determine proper courses of action in an ever-changing environment
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Present evidence in court effectively; skill in observation and remembering details such as names, faces, and incidents
The essential physical functions of the position may include the following:
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Patrolling in an assigned vehicle, in the assigned geographical area
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Exposure to varying and extreme weather conditions
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A risk of physical hazard from violent, aggressive, and hostile people, a variety of weapons, noise, chemicals, bodily secretions, sharp objects, traffic, drugs and drug paraphernalia, and crime scenes
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Physical exertion required to climb stairs, go over walls, run, move heavy objects, crawl through tight spaces, kneel in confined areas, and sit or stand for protracted periods
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Physical effort required to lift materials, equipment and people exceeding 50 pounds, and subdue combative people
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Disruption in sleep patterns as a result of rotating shift work, court schedules or other assignments
Transferable skill and additional preferred qualities:
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Ability to speak a second language, in both written communication and verbal conversation
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College degree or college level courses in any discipline
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A military background
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A reserve officer, cadet, or corrections officer
Achievement of a long-term professional commitment. (Long-term employment with one or more employers, completion of a certification program, participation in a police cadet or reserve program, corrections, etc.)
To apply for this position, apply at the top of this job posting.
Required application materials:
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A complete online application (do not leave fields blank or type 'see resume')
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Answers to supplemental questions
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Document(s) to verify completion of a law enforcement field training program and/or completion of a state certified police academy
If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to
[email protected], or by phone to 503-618-2800, upon submitting the required documents.
- Note to applicants who have previously applied with the City of Gresham Police Department: Candidates who have previously applied within the last four (4) years must check past communications from the City of Gresham Human Resources regarding eligibility to be considered for the position.
What to expect as an applicant:
The selection process for a police officer can take several months from the date an application is received to the date of hire. This job announcement will no longer be available after the recruitment closes. You are encouraged to print the job announcement for future reference.
FY 2026-27 Lateral Police Officer Selection Process Summary
Phase I: Application
- All applications will be reviewed and screened for minimum requirements and automatic disqualifiers.
Phase II: Interview & Eligible List
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Candidates will be invited to participate in an (in-person or virtual) interview. If you are not available for the dates offered upon receiving an invitation, please notify us via email to arrange for an interview at the next scheduled interview timeframe (if applicable).
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Candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility list based on their interview timeframe and scores based on the panel interview score. Candidates will remain on the ranked eligibility list for one year from the job opening date. Candidates will be contacted based on their ranked position on the eligibility list and the police officer vacancies available for hire. Depending on a candidate’s ranking, it may take several more weeks before an update can be provided.
Phase III: Pre-Suitability Assessment
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Candidates who successfully complete Phase I and II, and are selected for further consideration from the ranked eligibility list, will be invited to complete a pre-suitability exam and personal history questionnaire (PHQ). This exam must be proctored virtually and generally takes 2 hours to complete and PHQ takes additional 1-3 hours to complete. Complete details, technology needs, and equipment requirements will be sent by email message(s).
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Once the pre-suitability exam is complete, candidates (with suitable results) will be invited to an executive interview.
Phase IV: Executive Interview
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Candidates will meet with members of the Gresham Police Department command staff. Those who successfully complete the interview process will be placed on an eligibility list and considered for a comprehensive background investigation.
Phase V: Statement of Personal History, Background Investigation & Conditional Employment Offer
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Once assigned to a background investigator, an email link will be sent to the candidate to complete an electronic Statement of Personal History (SPH). This link and the requested information are deadline-driven and require submission within the specified timeframe. Candidates need to be thorough and honest in completing this information.
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Once the SPH is complete, the candidate will be invited to meet in person or virtually with the background investigator for a pre-background interview. This interview generally takes between 1.5 to 2 hours.
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Upon successful completion of the pre-background screening, candidates will have a full and comprehensive background completed based on information provided in the SPH and pre-background screening.
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Once the candidate passes a full background, they will receive a conditional offer of employment pending successful completion of a psychological evaluation and full medical/physical exam.
Phase VI: Psychological Evaluation & Job-Related Physical Exam
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Candidates will be scheduled for a psychological exam, which will include a proctored pre-interview virtual test followed by an interview with a clinical psychologist.
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Candidates will also be scheduled with a City of Gresham contracted medical provider to complete a physical exam, treadmill test, and drug screen.
Phase VI: Confirmation of Employment letter
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If selected for hire, a candidate will be presented with a confirmation of employment letter to include hire and swearing-in date.
We make every effort to minimize travel for our out of state candidates. If you are a successful candidate, there will be one trip necessary for completion of the job-related physical, treadmill test and drug screen.
Candidates will be notified through the e-mail address provided on their application as to their status in the process. Any updated contact information should be provided by email to [email protected] as soon as it is available.
Veteran's Preference
The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.
Our Commitment
The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.
Contact [email protected] with questions related to this recruitment.
For assistance with the online application system, contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.
