Regardless of whether you’re a lateral-transfer or entry-level, every Hillsboro police officer starts in the patrol division. All entry-level officers are required to attend the 16-week Oregon Basic Police Academy in Salem. Experienced officers coming to us through lateral transfer generally do not need to attend the Academy.

Uniformed patrol is the bread-and-butter of law enforcement. It gives every officer the ability to get to know the community they serve and become a bigger part of it. You’ll see yourself making a difference each day.

After time in patrol, many of our officers go into a wide variety of specialty assignments, including:

• Detectives
• Youth Services
• K-9
• Motors and traffic cars
• Transit Police
• Tactical Negotiations Team/Crisis Negotiations Unit
• Community Impact Team
• Honor Guard
• Background investigations
• Recruiting

To learn more about these positions, including qualifications, pay, and benefits, please visit the Police Officer Job Description.

Are you pondering a career in law enforcement but want to experience it first-hand before committing to it? Are you a professional with a great career looking for a unique way to give back to the community? If you answered yes to either question, you may consider becoming a reserve police officer. 

Reserve police officers are sworn officers who work part-time and volunteer their time. Reserve officers attend a modified police academy in the evenings and on weekends for several months. Upon graduation, they partner with experienced full-time officers for continued on-the-job training. Reserve officers give thousands of hours each year to our community, and many go on to full-time careers in law enforcement.

To learn more about this position, including qualifications, please visit the reserve officer job description.

The hiring process is virtually identical for reserve, entry-level, and lateral-transfer candidates, unless noted below.

Required Qualifications

• Reserve and entry-level candidates must pass the National Testing Network written test within the last year and submit it at time of application. Passing scores are 65% or higher on video portion and 75% or higher on written and reading portions.
• Lateral candidates must possess a basic police certification from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) or the equivalent from another state.
• Take the Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT) and pass with a time of 5:30 or faster. Candidates with a passing time from another agency in the last year are eligible to transfer the score to us. For more information on the ORPAT, please watch the testing video.
  Please Note: We do not administer the push-pull portion of the ORPAT.

Hiring Process

1. Selected candidates will participate in a panel interview with police department employees and human resources representatives.
2. In-depth background investigation which includes, but is not limited to:
   • Criminal background
   • Driving record
   • Employment history
   • Military history
   • Residential history
   • Reference checks
   • Financial record
3. Command staff interview.
4. Conditional offer of employment.
5. Medical and psychological examinations.
6. Final offer of employment.