Recruiting FAQ

Agency Requirements

Requirement Category
Requirement Description
Required at time
of Test
Required at time of Hire
Minimum Age
21 Years Old
X

Citizenship
United States citizen or lawful permanent resident
X

Education
High School Graduate/GED
X

License/Identification
Drivers License Required
X

Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult
Disqualifier


Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile
No Convictions
X

Language
Ability to read and speak the English language
X

Vision
Ability to see clearly in both daytime and nighttime conditions
X

College Degree
Not required


Other Requirements

  • Application and requirements are available online through Public Safety Testing.
  • Candidates must successfully pass the Physical Fitness and Abilities Test. 
  • Out-of-state testing is not allowed.
  • Puyallup PD will only consider the most recent score for applicants with multiple scores. 
  • Puyallup PD will request scores from Public Safety Testing on an as-needed basis as vacancies occur.


Agency Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply with Puyallup Police Department if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Disqualifier Category
Disqualifier Automatic/Potential
Disqualifier Description
Driving
Automatic
Receipt of three or more moving violations (or any single violation of a potential life-threatening violation, such as reckless driving, speed contest, suspect of a pursuit, etc.) within three years prior to application.
Driving
Automatic
Involvement as a driver in two or more chargeable (at fault) collisions within three years prior to the date of application.
Driving
Automatic
A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs within ten years prior to application or any two convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Drug Usage
Automatic
Illegal use of illegal drugs in the last 3 years.
Drug Usage
Automatic
Illegal use of ANY controlled substance while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Drug Usage
Automatic
Illegal opiate use.
Drug Usage
Potential
Other drug use outside these standards will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Drug Usage
Automatic
No illegal sale of ANY drug, including marijuana.
Drug Usage
Automatic
A pattern of illegal use of prescription medication.
Drug Usage
Automatic
The following examples of illegal drug use or possession will be considered automatic disqualifiers with no exceptions:
  1. Any adult use or possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic within seven years prior to application for employment. 
  2. Any adult use or possession of marijuana within three years prior to application for employment if residing in a state where its use is illegal at the time. 
  3. Any other illegal adult use or possession of a drug not mentioned above (including cocaine) within five years prior to application for employment.
  4. Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug while employed in any law enforcement capacity, military police, or as a student enrolled in college-accredited courses related to the criminal justice field. 
  5. Any adult manufacture or cultivation of a drug or illegal substance.
  6. Failure to divulge to the department any information about personal illegal use or possession of drugs. 
  7. Any drug test of the applicant, during the course of the hiring process, where illegal drugs are detected.
Drug Usage
Potential
The following examples of illegal drug use or possession will be considered in relation to the overall background of that individual and may result in disqualification:
  1. Any illegal use or possession of a drug as a juvenile.
  2. Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug that does not meet the criteria of the automatic disqualifiers specified above (e.g., marijuana use longer than three years ago or cocaine use longer than five years ago).
  3. Any illegal or unauthorized use of prescription medications. 

Criminal ActivityAutomaticAny adult felony conviction. 
Criminal ActivityAutomaticAny misdemeanor or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Criminal ActivityPotentialAdult misdemeanor convictions will be carefully reviewed.
Criminal ActivityPotentialJuvenile felony convictions will be carefully reviewed.
Criminal ActivityAutomaticBeen convicted of any crime under a domestic violence statute. 
Criminal ActivityAutomaticUnlawful sexual misconduct.
Criminal ActivityAutomaticConviction of any criminal offense classified as a misdemeanor under Washington law within three years prior to application. 
Criminal ActivityAutomaticConviction of two or more misdemeanor offenses under Washington law as an adult. 
Criminal ActivityAutomaticConviction of any offense classified as a misdemeanor under Washington law while employed as a peace officer (including military police officers).
Criminal ActivityAutomaticAdmission(s) of having committed any act amounting to a felony (including felony-misdemeanor offenses) under Washington law, as an adult, within five years prior to application or while employed as a peace officer (including military police officers). 
Criminal ActivityAutomaticAdmission(s( of administrative conviction of any act while employed as a peace officer (including military police officers) involving lying, falsification of any official report or document, or theft. 
Criminal ActivityAutomaticAdmission(s) of any act of domestic violence as defined by law, committed as an adult. 
Criminal ActivityAutomaticAdmission(s) of any criminal act, whether misdemeanor or felony, committed against children including but not limited to: molesting children, child abduction, child abuse, lewd and lascivious acts with a child, or indecent exposure. 
Criminal ActivityPotentialAny history of actions resulting in civil lawsuits against the applicant or his/her employer may be disqualifying. 
Criminal ActivityAutomaticMaintaining an ongoing relationship with individual(s) who have been convicted of a felony crime, and who is reputed to be involved in recent or ongoing criminal activity. 
Criminal ActivityAutomaticRecent or ongoing affiliation with, and/or support of, an organization or group which advocates the overthrow of the United States Government, or whose professional goals are contrary to the interests of public and welfare of the community. 

EmploymentAutomaticBeen dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces.
EmploymentAutomaticLied during any stage of the hiring process.
EmploymentAutomaticFalsified his or her application, personal history questionnaire, or any other forms during the hiring process.
EmploymentAutomaticPrevious revocation or denial of (CJTC/POST) certified status, or suspension of current (CJTC/POST) certified status. 
EmploymentAutomaticHaving been disciplined by any employer (including military) as an adult for abuse of leave, gross insubordination, dereliction of duty, or persistent failure to follow established policies and regulations. 
EmploymentAutomaticHaving been involuntarily dismissed (for any reason other than lay-off) from two or more employers as an adult. 
EmploymentAutomaticResigning from any paid position without notice may be disqualifying.
EmploymentPotentialMilitary Record: Must have been discharged from the military under honorable conditions. Any discharge other than honorable will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

FinancialPotentialCurrent credit accounts or unresolved accounts in collection will be carefully reviewed. 

OtherAutomaticMissing any scheduled appointment during the process without prior permission. 
OtherAutomaticAny material misstatement of fact or significant admission during the application or background process shall be disqualifying, including inconsistent statements made during the initial background interview or polygraph examination or discrepancies between the background investigation and other investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies. 
OtherAutomaticAny forgery, alteration, or intentional omission of material facts on an official employment application document or sustained episodes of academic cheating.