The City of Salem Police Department is accepting applications for lateral police officer positions. We are a full-service agency looking for certified police officers who want to enhance their careers. We hire only applicants who meet the highest standards.

For more information, contact a recruiter at 503-588-6212.

Lateral officers may negotiate starting pay and front-loaded vacation or sick time based on their experience.

Benefits

Salem police officers receive excellent pay and benefits, which include:

• $37.61 - $49.44 per hour
• All uniforms, weapon, and safety equipment supplied by the City of Salem
• City-paid insurance
  • Dental with dependents included
  • Medical with dependents included after the employee pays $55 per paycheck
  • Vision with dependents included
• City-paid health savings account
• City-paid life and disability insurance
• City-paid retirement fund under the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System
• On-site exercise facility

Additional benefits available include:

• Employee assistance program
• Employee-paid pre-tax medical flexible spending account
• Employee-paid Salem Police Association membership
• Employee-paid union membership
• Limited tuition reimbursement program
• Optional employee-paid deferred compensation program

Additional pay incentives include:

• College education 
• Other language skills

Minimum Requirements

To apply for a lateral police officer position, you must meet one of these requirements:

• Have a valid police officer basic certificate
• Be eligible for recertification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training
• Have an equivalent certification and at least three-years recent experience as a police officer (municipal, county, or state).
• In-state and out-of-state lateral applicants do not need to complete the National Testing Network or the Oregon Physical Abilities Test processes.

These requirements also apply:

• Be a high school graduate, or have a GED certificate
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must be able to obtain citizenship within 18 months of being hired. 
• Complete a written examination and participate in an oral interview
• Show excellent moral character and good life choices, as determined by an thorough background investigation
• Have strong communication skills
• Have minimum reading and writing skills at a 12th-grade level
• Hold a valid driver license
• Be willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays

Learn More

Explore how you can join the Salem Police Department and help shape the future of our organization.

Check out our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan to see how we are improving the way we serve our community and how you can be part of our team.