The City of Rathdrum, Idaho is accepting applications for a full-time Police Officer.
With a population of close to 12,000, Rathdrum, Idaho offers "small town" living at its best. With the City of Rathdrum declared the 2021 safest city in Idaho by Homesfor.sale, it is a great place to work, live and raise a family.
Set in the panhandle of Idaho, nestled on the edge of Rathdrum Prairie and surrounded by beautiful mountains, lakes, and rivers the City of Rathdrum offers numerous activities for the outdoor enthusiast. If you enjoy hiking, fishing, biking, skiing, hunting, snowmobiling, ATV riding, and golfing then this is the place for you. The climate provides for all four seasons, and the recreational activities to go along with all of them. If you are looking for the true North Idaho experience, Rathdrum has it all!
Located north of the Coeur d'Alene Metropolitan Area, the Rathdrum area is a small tight knit community in an area that provides big city amenities. Spokane being just across the Idaho/Washington border is home to a vibrant sports culture to include Gonzaga University, the Spokane Indians and Spokane Chiefs. If you're looking for more activities, the area provides access to top rated Broadway plays, concert venues, Silverwood Theme Park, a thriving nightlife scene, a unique variety of top rated restaurants, shopping, and multiple sports arenas. The Spokane International Airport is just 36 miles away making air travel a convenient way to get around.
Rathdrum sits within the Lakeland Joint School District. With a 96.7% four-year graduation rate, the Lakeland Joint School District is committed to academic excellence and dedicated to student success creating an environment for students to learn and thrive.
Rathdrum PD offers an excellent defined benefit retirement package, medical insurance, shift differential, paid time off, incentive pay for specialized assignments, and the opportunity to work 4, 10-hour shifts with a rotational shift bidding system. After a year of service, and if you live within 60 miles of Rathdrum, you will be given an assigned take home vehicle.
Our department consists of 19 sworn personnel and 2 support staff. Officers have the ability to work in varying specialized assignments such as School Resource Officer, Special Response Team member, K9 handler, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle unit, Honor Guard, and the North Idaho DUI Task Force. Our department participates in Idaho Transportation Department traffic emphasis patrol grants which provide the opportunity to earn overtime to help keep Rathdrum’s roads safe.
Apply now for the opportunity to work for a police department that is supported by the city and its citizens.
This position performs general & investigative police work; protects life & property through enforcement of laws and ordinances; responds to calls as assigned; makes arrests; and performs related work as required.
Entry Level applicants must be a citizen of the U.S., possess a high school diploma or equivalent, be at least 21 years of age by October of 2026, and possess a valid driver’s license or have the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license. Applicants must be able to successfully receive POST certification within 1 year of employment. Conviction or withheld judgment of any state, local or federal crime may be grounds for rejection.
Lateral/Certifiable applicants must be a citizen of the U.S., possess a high school diploma or equivalent, be at least 21 years of age by October of 2026, and possess a valid driver’s license or have the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license. You must possess an Idaho POST Basic Certificate, a Basic Patrol Certificate from another State POST Agency, or a Certificate of Completion from an Idaho POST Certified College Program completed prior to January 1st, 2027.
All applicants will be required to pass a physical fitness exam, written exam, oral interview, polygraph exam, background check and a final interview with the Chief of Police.
Salary ranges between $58,198 ($27.98/hr) and $70,137 ($33.72/hr).
You must apply by submitting an application. Applications are available at the Rathdrum Police Department, 8178 W. Main St. Rathdrum, Idaho or on the City’s web site at www.rathdrum.gov
NOTE: Before applying, please read the Rathdrum Police Department’s Hiring Standards. This document can be found on the City's website.
All applications must be filed with the Rathdrum Police Department by midnight September 4th, 2026.
Closing Date: September 4th, 2026
NOTE: For the applicants who live within a 200-mile radius of Rathdrum, testing will take place over 2 days- Sunday, September 13th (physical readiness test and written exam) and Monday, September 14th (in-person interviews).
For those applicants who live outside the 200-mile radius, please contact Lt. Brandon Friis by email [email protected] or phone- (208)687-0711
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $58,198.00 - $70,137.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
