The best sheriff’s office and police department agencies in Washington state are not easy to find.
There is a lot of competition for these jobs, so many applicants have high expectations for what they want in their workplace environment.
In order to help you find the job that meets your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the top 11 sheriff’s offices and police departments in Washington state!
However, before we get to the list, let’s take a look at what applicants are looking for in their ideal workplace.
What Police Applicants Want In Their Ideal Workplace
- Supportive Workplace Environment
- Diversity
- Training
- High Quality of Life
- Career Advancement Opportunities
- Low Cost of Living
About Washington State:
Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It borders Oregon to the south.
The Columbia River forms much of Washington’s northern border with British Columbia while the Snake River broadly defines its eastern extent from Idaho into Wyoming.
Washington is part of several historic regions within the U.S., but it is commonly associated with the Pacific Northwest and the Cascadia bioregion, along with Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia.
Washington was named after President George Washington by an act of Congress in 1853. It is the only U.S state named for a president other than Thomas Jefferson (the Virginian state capital of Richmond was also so named).
The name “Washington” and its origin are generally considered to derive from the surname of George Washington, the American Revolutionary War general and first President of the United States.
11 Best Sheriff’s Offices and Police Departments in Washington
Now that we’ve looked at what police applicants are looking for in their ideal workplace, let’s take a look at the top sheriff’s offices and police departments in Washington state!
1. Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is a law enforcement agency in Spokane, Washington.
Over the years, it has grown from an all-purpose organization to one that now concentrates on serving as the jailor for both county and federal prisoners.
In addition, they provide patrol services for unincorporated areas of their jurisdiction.
It is the largest sheriff’s office in Washington state, and one of the most active.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has a reputation for being innovative.
This extends to their training academy, which offers many weeks of basic courses that include:
- Firearms Training
- Physical Training
- Vehicle Operations and Pursuit Tactics
- Drug Recognition Expert Training (DDT)
- Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training
- Community Oriented Policing (COP) Training
- Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Training
- Defensive tactics
If you want to work for a forward-thinking and progressive sheriff’s office, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is a great place to start!
2. King County Sheriff’s Office
The King County Sheriff’s Office is the sheriff’s department for King Country, Washington.
It was first established in 1854 as a rural county law enforcement agency.
Over time, it grew to include responsibility over court security and detention facilities as well as prisoner transport services.
Today, it is one of the largest sheriff’s offices in Washington state, and they serve more than a million residents.
The King County Sheriff oversees policing services for unincorporated areas as well as some municipalities that have contracted with them to provide these services.
This includes Sea-Tac International Airport, which has its own contract police force but coordinates closely with the King County Sheriff’s Office.
The agency is also responsible for managing the county jail and detention facilities, as well as providing courtroom security.
If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding law enforcement career, the King County Sheriff’s Office is a great place to start!
3. Pierce County Sheriff’s Office
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office serves the citizens of Pierce County, Washington. The department is divided into four bureaus: Patrol Operations, Criminal Investigations, Corrections, and Community Services.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has a variety of career opportunities for police officers including:
- patrol deputy
- detective
- K-9 drug dog handler
- 911 dispatcher
- records specialist
- corrections office
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office is a great place to work for police officers who want to live in a diverse community.
4. Tacoma Police Department
The Tacoma Police Department serves the citizens of Tacoma, Washington.
Tacoma is a diverse city with lots to offer police officers.
The annual salary for police officers in Tacoma is very competitive.
The Tacoma Police Department rewards its employees through competitive pay, merit-based performance awards, excellent benefits, and generous paid time off.
The Tacoma Police Department offers a variety of career opportunities for police officers including:
- patrol officer
- criminal investigator/detective
- SWAT team
- K-9 school resource officer
- records specialist
- police communications sergeant
- school resource officer
If you are looking for a great place to work as a police officer, the Tacoma Police Department is definitely worth considering.
5. Seattle Police Department
The Seattle Police Department serves the citizens of Seattle, Washington. The department has a variety of career opportunities for police officers including:
- patrol officer
- criminal investigator/detective
- SWAT team member
- K-12 school resource officer
- traffic enforcement officer
- field training officer
The Seattle Police Department is known for its excellent training and development programs.
The department offers a variety of career opportunities for police officers with different levels of experience.
Police officers who work for the Seattle Police Department can expect to receive competitive pay and benefits, as well as generous paid time off.
If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career in law enforcement, the Seattle Police Department is a great place to work.
6. Bellevue Police Department
The Bellevue Police Department serves the citizens of Bellevue, Washington. The department has a variety of career opportunities for police officers. The pay is competitive, the benefits are excellent and the options for advancement are great.
Police applicants are attracted to the Bellevue Police Department because of its diversity and high quality of life. The department also offers a number of career advancement opportunities.
The cost of living in Bellevue is decent, making it an attractive place to live and work.
7. Wenatchee Police Department
The Wenatchee Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the City of Wenatchee, Washington.
The department serves a population of over 33,000 people and employs over 60+ sworn officers.
The Wenatchee Police Department offers a number of career opportunities for police officers, including detective, sergeant, and lieutenant positions.
The city of Wenatchee is located in the beautiful state of Washington and has a great quality of life. The cost of living in Wenatchee is also very affordable.
The top employers in Wenatchee include Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, Columbia Basin College, Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest, and Apple Inc.
8. Vancouver Police Department
The Vancouver Police Department serves the city of Vancouver, Washington.
The department has over 200 police officers and a number of opportunities for advancement within its ranks.
Police applicants are drawn to the VPD because it is an agency with great leadership and high-quality equipment.
Officers enjoy strong support from the community as well as their fellow officers.
The cost of living in Vancouver is relatively low, making it an affordable place to live and work.
Some of the top employers in Vancouver include PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, The Boeing Company, and Fred Meyer.
9. Spokane Police Department
The Spokane Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the City of Spokane, Washington.
The department has a number of career opportunities for police officers including patrol officer, detective, sergeant, and lieutenant positions.
Police applicants are drawn to the SPD because it is an innovative and forward-thinking agency. Officers receive excellent training and enjoy good benefits, competitive pay, and generous time off.
If you are looking for a rewarding career in law enforcement, the Spokane Police Department is a great place to work.
The cost of living in Spokane is relatively low, making it an affordable city to live in. Some of the top employers include: Avista Corporation (power company), Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (electrical engineering company), and Gonzaga University.
10. Poulsbo Police Department
The Poulsbo Police Department serves the city of Poulsbo, Washington.
with a population of just over 9000 people, the Poulsbo PD is a small police department.
Located in Kitsap County, the Poulsbo PD is known for their high level of community policing.
The department offers a variety of career advancement opportunities, and the cost of living in Poulsbo is relatively low.
The Poulsbo Police Department is a great place to work for police officers looking for a small-town feel with big-city diversity.
11. Thurston County Sheriff’s Office
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office serves the county of Thurston, Washington.
With a population of over 360,000 people, Thurston County is one of the most populous counties in Washington state.
The sheriff’s office is responsible for law enforcement and corrections services in the county.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office offers a variety of career advancement opportunities, and the cost of living in Thurston County is relatively low.
The sheriff’s office is a great place to work for police officers looking for a large agency with plenty of opportunity for growth.
Final Thoughts
Working as a law enforcement officer can be a very rewarding career. If you are looking for a great place to work, Washington state is home to some of the best sheriff’s office and police department agencies in the country.
These agencies offer excellent training, competitive pay, and great benefits. They are also known to have high levels of employee satisfaction and low turnover.
What are you waiting for? Start your career as a Washington state police officer today!
FAQ About Becoming a Cop in WA
Below are some frequently asked questions about becoming a cop in Washington state.
How do I become a police officer in Washington?
The process of becoming a law enforcement officer in Washington state varies from agency to agency.
However, most agencies require that you have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 21 years old, and be a U.S. citizen.
All agencies require that you pass a written test, physical fitness test, and criminal background check.
Some agencies may also require that you complete a polygraph examination or drug screening.
What is the salary for police officers in Washington?
The salary for police officers in Washington state varies from agency to agency.
The average salary for police officers in Washington is around $67,980+ per year.
How do I become a deputy sheriff in WA?
The process of becoming a deputy sheriff in Washington state varies from agency to agency.
However, most agencies require that you have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 21 years old, and be a U.S. citizen.
What are the benefits of working for a sheriff’s office or police department in Washington?
The benefits of working for a sheriff’s office or police department in Washington vary from agency to agency.
However, most agencies offer excellent training, competitive pay, and great benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
Where can I find a sheriff’s office or police department in Washington?
There are hundreds of law enforcement agencies located throughout the state of Washington.
The best way to find the perfect agency for you is by researching companies that interest you on their website, and then applying directly through their application pages!
How do I find a police internship in Washington?
There are hundreds of law enforcement agencies located throughout the state of Washington.
If you want to apply for an internship, do your research! To find a great agency near you, search by city on the PoliceApp website.
What’s the difference between a sheriff’s office and police department?
The difference between a sheriff’s office and police department in Washington is that sheriffs are elected officials, whereas departments are headed by appointed chiefs.
Both counties and cities have law enforcement agencies within them.
What does the application process for becoming an officer involve?
Becoming an officer involves passing a written exam, physical fitness test, and background check.
Many agencies require that you complete an interview as well!
Where is the best place to work as a police officer?
The best place to work as an officer is in a law enforcement agency that offers excellent training, competitive pay, and great benefits.
If you are looking for the best county sheriff’s department or city police departments, Washington state has some of the best agencies in the country!
What’s it like to be a police officer?
Being an officer is one of the best jobs in America!
Officers have excellent job security, great benefits, and amazing opportunities for advancement.
Officers work in a variety of environments and get to help people every day.
It’s an exciting career that offers a unique challenge every day!
How can I apply for sheriff’s office or police department jobs in Washington?
You can apply for sheriff’s office and police department jobs in Washington state by visiting the websites of agencies that interest you.
Most agencies require that you complete an online application, which can be found on their website.
What makes a good police officer?
To be a great officer, you have to love helping people and working with the public. You must also be physically fit, emotionally stable, intelligent enough to solve problems and learn new things quickly.
Police officers are valued members of any community! They work hard every day to help keep citizens safe from violence and crime.
