Frequently 

asked questions

The majority of our communications will be through email. Please email JoinWCSO@washingtoncountyor.gov or call 503-846-5646 with any questions.

Hair

• Hair shall be clean, well-groomed, and professional in appearance.
• Hair over 1” long may not be spiked or sprayed to stand up on top of the head.
• If hair length extends below the bottom of the collar and interferes with daily work or presents a safety issue, it must be pulled back away from the face, such as in a braid or ponytail, tied with bands of a neutral color.
• Certified staff must wear their hair in a color that naturally occurs in human hair. Stripes, spots, and dying of colors other than natural tones are prohibited.
• Non-Certified staff may wear their hair in its natural state (color, texture, and length) with no exclusions. Dying hair in a natural hue (black, brown, blond/blonde) is allowed. Fashion or commercially acceptable hair colors (pink, purple, green, blue, red) are acceptable as accent pieces (highlights, peek-a-boo sections, face frames), however, these colors:
  • Must be muted, smokey, deep (jewel), or pastel
  • Must not be bold, bright, neon, or avant-garde
  • Must not be orange or yellow

Facial Hair

• Staff must be clean-shaven or wear facial hair that is well-groomed and closely trimmed, not exceeding 2” in length.
• Beards, including goatees, must not extend to the neck. Goatees may be worn with or without a mustache attached.
• Facial hair may be worn in any color that could naturally occur in human hair.
• Patterns will not be cut into facial hair.

Jewelry

• Any jewelry shall be moderate and project a professional image, save staff from distraction, and avoid creating a safety hazard.
• Staff may wear earrings.
• One small nose stud
• One small tongue stud
• One eyebrow piercing (small loop or bar)
• One gauge per ear no larger than 16 gauge
• No other visible body piercings are allowed; this includes jewelry that appears to require piercing, such as magnetic or clip-on jewelry.
• Piercing holes larger than those used for a small post earring must be closed or covered while at work or on duty.

Tattoos

Tattoos are allowed with restrictions.

• Tattooed make-up giving the appearance of natural color and style is allowed.
• Any tattoo on a hand, wrist, or finger that is contained in a 3” or less circle. Tattoos that cover full hands or fingers are not permitted.
• Tattoos on the back of the neck or in the hairline are allowed if they are contained in a 3” or less circle and invisible when directly facing a person.
• No other visible tattoos are permitted on the head, face, neck, or hands. Hands are considered to be the area below the wrist bone.
• Tattoos depicting racist, indecent, extremist, lawless or offensive themes are prohibited. A tattoo is considered “offensive” if it is sexist, sexual, racist, vulgar, anti-social, violent, or discriminates against any person by virtue of words, symbols, or pictures in the tattoo or body art.
• Tattoos or body art associated with any organization or group that advocates intolerance or discrimination, that bring discredit upon the agency, or that violate common standards of decency or morality, are prohibited.

If you are still unsure, contact the Recruitment Team by email joinwcso@washingtoncountyor.gov or 503-846-JOIN.

Contact us through joinwcso@washingtoncountyor.gov or call, 503-846-5646

Yes, you must have a passing score in the last twelve months for PAT, ORPAT, or a military fit test.

Yes. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for Veteran’s Preference Points, please review these instructions.

• Recruit deputies must be at least 21 years of age by hire date. There are no other age restrictions.
• Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license. Acceptable driving record required.
• No domestic violence convictions on record. No felony convictions on record. Misdemeanor conviction reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• U.S. citizenship must be obtained within 12 months of hire for jail recruit deputies, and 18 months for patrol recruit deputies.
• Applicants must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate.

Recruit deputies must be at least 21 years of age by hire date. There are no other age restrictions.

NO. However, applicants must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate.

Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license. Acceptable driving record required.

No domestic violence convictions on record. No felony convictions on record. Misdemeanor conviction reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

U.S. citizenship must be obtained within 12 months of hire for jail recruit deputies, and 18 months for patrol recruit deputies.

Yes, per policy, tattoos are allowed with the following guidelines;

• Tattooed make-up giving the appearance of natural color and style is allowed.
• Any tattoo on a hand, wrist, or finger that is contained in a 3” or less circle. Tattoos that cover full hands or fingers are not permitted.
• Tattoos on the back of the neck or in the hairline are allowed if they are contained in a 3” or less circle and invisible when directly facing a person.
• No other visible tattoos are permitted on the head, face, neck, or hands. Hands are considered to be the area below the wrist bone.
• Tattoos depicting racist, indecent, extremist, lawless or offensive themes are prohibited. A tattoo is considered “offensive” if it is sexist, sexual, racist, vulgar, anti-social, violent, or discriminates against any person by virtue of words, symbols, or pictures in the tattoo or body art.
• Tattoos or body art associated with any organization or group that advocates intolerance or discrimination, that bring discredit upon the agency, or that violate common standards of decency or morality, are prohibited.

If you are still unsure, contact the Recruitment Team by email joinwcso@washingtoncountyor.gov or 503-846-JOIN.

You must complete your probationary period and have three years of service prior to being eligible. Each team has unique selection criteria.

Seniority determines shift, days off and vacation. Jail and patrol deputies enjoy a 4/10 weekly work schedule (four, ten-hour days of work and three days off), 24/7 shifts, and schedule “bids” every six months.

The State’s Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) reviews previous training and determines if additional or abbreviated training must be completed to be certified in Oregon. Many out-of-state lateral hires attend an abbreviated two week DPSST academy to attain their Oregon Certification. Please contact DPSST for additional questions.

Following submitting an application, applicants will be required to complete a:

• Written test
• Physical test
• Background investigation
• Panel and command interviews
• Applicants will receive a conditional job offer
• Applicants will be required to pass a psychological evaluation and medical examination prior to being hired

The hiring process takes about 4 months.

The Physical Abilities Test — also known as PAT —  is designed to replicate critical and essential physical tasks and demands faced by police officers in the normal performance of their duties. Specific tasks and overall physical demands are replicated in the ORPAT through the use of a carefully designed and validated “obstacle course” that must be complete in less than 6 minutes. It is a state-wide requirement for anyone applying to become a law enforcement officer.

For more information watch this video.

Our background investigators complete a thorough process to determine applicant eligibility. They may contact any past associates, including supervisors, roommates or landlords. This is the most time-consuming aspect of the recruitment process, so clear and responsive communication between the applicant and background investigator is critical.

Background investigators will communicate with your references through combination of email, phone calls, and possibly in-person.

Our Public Safety Training Center (PSTC) is a ground-breaking addition to our renowned training program. Designed to be comprehensive and holistic in approach, it is one of the premier law enforcement training facilities in the Pacific Northwest.

Every deputy starts their WCSO career at our 9-week, in-house academy that builds the foundation of our approach to law enforcement. We believe this “pre-academy” is critical to the short- and long-term success of our deputies.

After pre-academy, jail and patrol recruit deputies attend their respective state academies at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training in Salem, Oregon. Jail recruits attend the 6-week basic corrections course, and patrol recruits attend the 16-week basic police course.

Following graduation from the state academy, jail and patrol recruit deputies enter into the Field Training Evaluation Program (FTEP) under the wing of an experienced peer deputy for several months. The total probationary period lasts about 18 months.

Day one of your career through your last day before retirement, the training never stops. Throughout their career, deputies receive some of the best training in the country as they promote, apply for special teams, and innovate new ways to keep our neighborhoods safe. Some deputies enjoy training so much, they eventually join our training team.

It varies depending on when the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) holds an academy. You begin your WCSO career at our 9-week, in-house pre-academy and will then be scheduled to attend the DPSST academy shortly after. All training (including the DPSST academy) is paid.

Yes, deputies are members of the Washington County Police Officers Association (WCPOA). Read the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

We are invested in the well-being of our deputies. Extensive benefits include:

• Relocation reimbursement up to $7,000
• Additional incentive pay based on education and experience
• Additional premium pay for special teams and assignments
• Overtime/compensatory time for overtime, callback, and court appearance
• Bilingual pay
• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life Insurance, occupational life and long-term disability
• Retirement benefits – PERS/OPSRP and deferred compensation
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time-off in lieu of holidays and other employee leaves (vacation, sick, military and more)
• Clothing and footwear allowance
• Uniform including initial tailoring, duty gear, and a firearm
• Veteran’s Preference

For a complete list of premium pays and other benefits, refer to the Washington County Police Officers’ Association (WCPOA) collective bargaining agreement located at Labor Agreements. To explore additional benefits offered, visit Employee Benefits.

Entry-level recruits and lateral transfers can expect to earn between $77,729 – $105,372 annually.

This does not include:

• Bilingual Pay
• Incentive Pay
• Premium Pay
• Overtime