Police Officer Lateral (Motor Officer Assignment)

The City of Lake Oswego is seeking a qualified Lateral Police Officer for a six (6)-year Motor Officer assignment in the Traffic Unit (the assignment may be extended in six-year increments for officers who demonstrate satisfactory performance). Motor Officers provide proactive traffic enforcement crash response community engagement and specialized motorcycle patrol. Successful candidates will be expected to have or obtain training and experience in crash reconstruction including collision diagramming FARO/laser scanning and advanced crash investigation courses such as IPTM or equivalent. Members should also anticipate participating on the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Technicians team.

This is a uniformed police position responsible for general police duties with a take home motorcycle. An employee in this class is under the direct supervision of a sergeant and performs law enforcement activities which include but are not limited to the protection of life and property; conducts routine and detailed investigations into criminal and civil matters; locates and preserves evidence enforces city and state traffic laws and issues verbal and written warnings; performs special investigative and undercover assignments when required; writes reports and other documents; makes court appearances and gives testimony. This position is represented by the Lake Oswego Police Officers Association (LOPOA).

This special assignment opportunity is subject to the normal special assignment rotation schedule at the conclusion of six (6) years.

To qualify as a Lateral Motor Officer candidates must:

• Currently possess an Oregon DPSST Basic Police Certification or be eligible for immediate certification.
• Have completed a Field Training and Evaluation Program.
• Possess three (3) or more years of experience as a sworn police officer.
• Be currently employed and in good standing with a law enforcement agency or recently retired.
• Meet all standard requirements including U.S. citizenship age 21 no felony convictions valid drivers license with motorcycle endorsement vision correctable to 20/20 and the ability to pass a thorough background investigation and post-offer medical psychological and drug screening.
• Prior Motor Officer experience is required.
• Completion of a recognized Police Motorcycle Operator School.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing or administering traffic safety grants including ODOT or federal grant programs.
• Crash reconstruction experience including diagramming FARO or advanced crash investigation (IPTM) or similar coursework.

For a complete list of the essential duties knowledge skills and abilities required and physical and mental demands please review the complete job description at . As a result of this process the Department will establish an eligibility list effective for one year. This is subject to change at the discretion of the City.

If selected to continue through the process you will be contacted with instruction for next steps.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

Note: The benefits and compensation outlined below are subject to change as the LOPOA is currently negotiating a new labor agreement with the City of Lake Oswego.

LOPOA Compensation Plan

BENFITS AVAILABLE:

• Medical Insurance choice between traditional indemnity plan or health maintenance organization (HMO)
• Regence BlueCross BlueShield full family medical and dental coverage
• Kaiser Permanente full family medical and dental coverage
• Sick Leave Upon Hire: New and lateral hires scheduled to work a forty (40) hour workweek will receive the equivalent of six (6) months (48 hours) of sick leave upon hire rather than accruing sick leave on a monthly basis. Upon completion of the six (6) months they will accrue sick leave monthly as described in Article 26.1 of the LOPOA labor agreement.
• Education Reimbursement Program

LATERAL POLICE OFFICERS

In recognition of their previous work experience qualified lateral police officers are eligible for Motor Officer Assignment premium pay (an additional 5% of their base pay) at the time of hire in addition to the following benefits and incentives:

Education and certification pay:

• Qualified lateral police officers will receive additional pay for college course work and/or DPSST Certification at the time of hireas described below.
  • 5% for two years of college-level course work or DPSST Intermediate Certificate
  • 6% for two years of college-level course work and DPSST Intermediate Certificate
  • 10% for a four-year degree orDPSST Advanced Certificate
  • 11% for a four-year degree and DPSST Advanced Certificate
  • 15% for an advanced college degree (Masters or Doctorate Degree)
• Language premium:
  • Police officers who are determined by the City to be fluent in additional language(s) receive an additional 5% of their base pay.

Vacation:

• Qualified lateral police officers will be eligible to receive up to sixty (60) hours of banked vacation time at time of hire.
• Qualified lateral police officers may be considered for accelerated vacation accrual rates based on their time as a sworn police officer.

Longevity Pay:

• Qualified lateral employees will be eligible for longevity pay as described in Article 8.5 of the LOPOA CBA commensurate with their years of relevant experience in the related field.
• Qualified lateral employees will receive 3% longevity pay if they have more than six (6) years relevant experience 4% for more than nine (9) years relevant experience and 5% for more than twelve (12) years relevant experience.
• Qualified lateral employees will receive the longevity incentive pay upon hire as described in LOPOA CBA Article 9.3.

RETIREMENT:

• Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)Member contributions are paid on your behalf by the City.
  • Tier 1 & 2 PERS eligible employee contribution rate is 29.54% 6% pick up
  • OPSRP Police and Fire PERS eligible employee contribution rate is 27.34% 6% pick up
• City maintains a 457 deferred compensation plan and contributes 2.5% of base salary into the employee deferred compensation account

For more detailed information on medical plans benefits incentives and premiums please review the Benefits tab on the job posting or the full Lake Oswego Police Officers Association Labor Agreement.

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ TO THE END AND FOLLOW ALL STEPS

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applications must be submitted to applications will not be accepted and resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application. The City application must be submitted to by: 5:00 P.M. Saturday February 28 2026.

Pre-Employment Profile:

In order to be considered for employment with the Lake Oswego Police Department you must complete and attach the supplemental questionnaire form titled Sworn Pre-Employment Profile.

You will find the Pre-Employment Profile form at the link below. Please complete the questionnaire and then attach the document to your on-line application. Any Yes answers in the Pre-Employment Profile document must have an explanation. Those explanations may be attached on a supplemental page in either a WORD or PDF document. You must complete this step before you certify and submit your application.

Link to the Sworn Pre-Employment Profile: you have questions regarding this step of the process please feel free to contact Human Resources at or .

ABOUT THE CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO AND POLICE DEPARTMENT

Located in the northwestern corner of Clackamas County on the banks of the scenic Willamette River and hugging the shore of a 405-acre lake Lake Oswego is a community rich with art culture historic resources quality schools vibrant business districts and an abundance of activities and events for all ages.

Working from the newly constructed Police and City Hall facility in Downtown Lake Oswego the Lake Oswego Police Department is equipped with a wide range of resources to deliver exceptional public safety services. Specialized units include Detectives Motorcycle Officers School Resource Officers K9 program an Adult Resource Officer and a dedicated Training Unit. The Department also operates its own 911 dispatch center (LOCOM) and provides comprehensive wellness and support services including an on-site Behavioral Health Specialist Peer Support Team Chaplain Wellness Program and a full fitness facility. These operations are strengthened by highly skilled Community Service Officers and professional staff in Evidence Records and Administration who provide essential support to both the Department and the community we serve.

The Department has a philosophy of community-oriented policing and empowering officers to deal with problems proactively. Respect Excellence Trust and Service guide our values-driven organization in our mission to cultivate an exceptional quality of life for everyone in our community. This dedication to service and collaborative City approach has garnered tremendous community and elected official support for our team and earned our department a 96% overall satisfaction rating (2025).