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Explore interview preparation →City / town police · Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma Police Department
Salary and hiring-process research
Published salary research
- Recruit (0–6 months)
- $47.39 / hour
- Commissioned (7–12 months)
- $54.02 / hour
- In-state lateral
- $62.53 / hour
- Out-of-state lateral
- $59.55 / hour
Recruit rate also appears in the 2026 entry job announcement. Annualized comparisons assume 2,080 hours; premiums and overtime are excluded.
Tacoma: recruiting and benefits (updated July 30, 2026) ↗Hiring process
- City application and PST written/PAT
- Eligibility list and oral board
- Pre-offer assessment and background
- Conditional polygraph, medical and psychological assessments
Recruiting says oral boards do not use follow-up questions. Confirm the instructions for your particular recruitment.
Tacoma: recruiting and benefits (updated July 30, 2026) ↗Physical testing
Published PAT: 20 push-ups / 90 sec, 25 sit-ups / 90 sec, 35 squat thrusts / 3 min.
Tacoma: recruiting and benefits (updated July 30, 2026) ↗Benefits and incentives
Health coverage, LEOFF 2, deferred compensation and paid leave. Take-home vehicle eligibility has geographic and training conditions.
Tacoma: recruiting and benefits (updated July 30, 2026) ↗Incentives: confirm current availability
$50,000 conditional in-state lateral program: currently employed Washington officers with CJTC commissions. Recruiting lists $25,000 at hire, $12,500 after probation and $12,500 one year later. Confirm current eligibility, retention and repayment terms; not an entry-level offer.
Tacoma: lateral incentive eligibility ↗Requirements and lateral entry
This profile does not yet establish a complete current eligibility checklist or lateral-entry policy. Age, education, citizenship or work authorization, license requirements and disqualifiers must be confirmed in the current announcement for the position you seek. Missing research does not mean a requirement is waived.
Recruiting contact
Recruiting · Officer Karina Ramos
TPDRecruiting@Tacoma.gov253-830-6596
Tacoma: recruiting and benefits (updated July 30, 2026) ↗Preparation focus
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Frequently asked questions
What salary information is available for Tacoma Police Department?
Recruit (0–6 months): $47.39 / hour; Commissioned (7–12 months): $54.02 / hour; In-state lateral: $62.53 / hour; Out-of-state lateral: $59.55 / hour. Recruit rate also appears in the 2026 entry job announcement. Annualized comparisons assume 2,080 hours; premiums and overtime are excluded.
What hiring process does Tacoma Police Department describe?
City application and PST written/PAT. Eligibility list and oral board. Pre-offer assessment and background. Conditional polygraph, medical and psychological assessments. Recruiting says oral boards do not use follow-up questions. Confirm the instructions for your particular recruitment.
What physical testing information is available for Tacoma Police Department?
Published PAT: 20 push-ups / 90 sec, 25 sit-ups / 90 sec, 35 squat thrusts / 3 min.
What benefits information is available for Tacoma Police Department?
Health coverage, LEOFF 2, deferred compensation and paid leave. Take-home vehicle eligibility has geographic and training conditions.
Does Tacoma Police Department offer hiring incentives?
$50,000 conditional in-state lateral program: currently employed Washington officers with CJTC commissions. Recruiting lists $25,000 at hire, $12,500 after probation and $12,500 one year later. Confirm current eligibility, retention and repayment terms; not an entry-level offer.
Is Tacoma Police Department accepting applications now?
This profile does not establish whether applications are currently open or closed. Research was last reviewed 2026-09-09; confirm current vacancies and deadlines with the employer using the official sources above.