Wanted! More law enforcement officers

MOSES LAKE — Law enforcement agencies across Grant County are actively hiring officers and deputies. However, according to Moses Lake Police Department Captain Jeff Sursely and Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox, filling those spots is intricate and time-consuming.  

“We are looking for people that are going to add value to our culture,” Sursely said. “We are a very culture-based organization, and we're looking for people with strong morals that want to be part of a team and are interested in making a positive impact on our community and what training and prerequisites are required for these positions. We like to see people that have had an interest in police work.”  

Agencies throughout Grant County are hiring for at least one officer position including the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden police department. The hiring process, however, can be lengthy and competitive, requiring candidates to navigate a series of examinations, interviews and possibly training to become a certified law enforcement officer. 

“It's easier to train somebody to be a police officer than to instill the passion to do policing,” Sursely said.  

The hiring process at most departments spans 3-9 months depending on various factors, including funding and applicant availability.  

The process begins when the applicant takes a test through PublicSafetyTesting.com, which various departments use as a clearing house for applicants. They take both physical and written tests. Then, if they pass, they become part of an approved pool of candidates. The department then chooses whether to schedule an interview depending on the results and application.  

The department will complete any other interviews, score them and then, Sursely said, he picks the top five applicants and begins screening them. However, departments may complete this process differently.  

The top candidates are subject to a thorough screening process, including background checks and interviews with family, friends and previous employers. This process takes around two months to complete. Sursely said this rigorous protocol ensures only the most suitable candidates are chosen, aligning with the department's commitment to community service. 

“The Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies tend to need to be very well rounded and be able to adapt to an increasingly detailed number of situations in order to maintain public safety,” GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said.  

Then, the department offers a conditional employment package. This is also when the department completes psychological and medical evaluations and administers a polygraph test. If the candidate passes all three, they are then offered a non-conditional employment package with MLPD. Other departments’ processes vary, but are similar. 

Sursely then looks for a date when the officer can enter the Basic Law Enforcement Academy, which all entry-level officers must attend. The state pays for the officer to go through training. After the academy, the office must then go into the field training officer program for the next four and a half months. Field training allows the officer to ride with a more experienced mentor on patrol and ensures he or she is prepared for solo patrols. 

The open positions are stressful to a department, according to Cox. He said his officers feel extra strain because they are understaffed and are policing the city at all times. He said he tries to negate burnout by encouraging employees to take time off anyway; however, if positions were filled and stayed filled there would be lower burnout rates.  

The Soap Lake City Council recently passed a pay raise for SLPD officers after losing an officer to a bigger department. Cox said the officer left due to better income at his new position; however, he hopes with Soap Lake’s raise, he will be able to find replacements and keep them.  

This is not a unique problem to Soap Lake, Foreman said; there have been around five deputies this year that have switched from the GCSO to other agencies in the past year.  

SLPD, MLPD and GCSO are not the only departments looking for officers – other departments are also hiring for various positions. 

Ephrata PD 

The Ephrata Police Department currently has openings for both a regular police officer and a lateral police officer, according to Public Safety Testing. The salaries start at $5,913 per month for entry-level applicants and increase with experience. For lateral positions, which require prior law enforcement experience, the salary can range from $5,913 to $6,804 per month, depending on years of service. Both positions also feature benefits, including full medical, dental and vision coverage, an equipment allowance and vacation accrual. Applicants must complete a written examination and a physical ability test. 

GCSO 

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office recently announced an opening for one deputy, with compensation ranging from $6,234.80 to $10,091.47 monthly, according to Public Safety Testing. Applicants must also undergo both a written and physical examination. The benefits package includes 11 paid holidays, sick leave, medical and dental benefits, and a take-home vehicle upon hiring.  

“The deputies protect everything from suburban neighborhoods to wilderness and on the water,” Foreman said. “We have some good potential opportunities for deputies. I mean, we have a wide range detectives, all sorts of stuff.” 

There are also around 10 positions in corrections open, offering salaries ranging from $5,668 to 7,437.83 a month, according to Foreman. The benefits package includes medical, dental and vision plans. There is also PSERS Retirement and Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust.  

“That's going to become even a greater necessity as we come closer to the new Grant County Jail predicted to be opened in 2026,” Foreman said.  

Mattawa PD 

The Mattawa Police Department is hiring for an entry-level and a lateral police officer. The City of Mattawa website does not state how much the lateral officer is paid. However, the entry-level position is $5,024 a month plus benefits. The job listing is posted on the Mattawa city website.  

Moses Lake PD 

Sursely said MLPD is seeking to fill two new positions for police officers, pushing their total staff to 44 officers, although three existing positions remain open for a total of five. The salary range for MLPD officers is between $6,620 and $8,366 monthly. Employees are also eligible for a 2% educational incentive for an associate’s or applied science degree and a 4% incentive for a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college. Other benefits include annual leave, sick leave, and comprehensive health insurance for employees and their dependents. 

Quincy PD 

The Quincy Police Department is hiring for two police officer positions according to Public Safety Testing, offering a salary range from $5,398.76 to $7,194.06 based on experience. Lateral applicants can benefit from a $5,000 signing bonus – $2,500 paid immediately and the remainder after one year of employment. The department provides a take-home vehicle for officers residing within a 60-minute response time, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes annual and sick leave, 12 paid holidays and other incentives. 

Royal City PD 

Royal City Police Department has openings for two police officers and one lateral police officer, according to Public Safety Testing. Entry-level salaries start at $56,160 annually, increasing after completion of the basic law enforcement academy. Benefits include medical insurance for employees and family, and potential salary increases based on years of service. Lateral applicants are compensated based on prior experience, with salaries ranging from $58,880 to $63,600 annually. 

Soap Lake PD 

The Soap Lake Police Department is seeking to fill two positions: one lateral patrol officer and one entry-level patrol officer, according to Public Safety Testing. The salary for new hires starts at $76,307 annually, with increases based on experience and tenure. Benefits include full medical, dental, and vision coverage, vacation leave and educational incentives. Maximum pay is $87,367.

Warden PD 

The Warden Police Department has two openings for police officers, according to Public Safety Testing. Entry-level officers start at $4,876 monthly, with a stepping pay system over the first four years leading to longevity pay. Lateral officers are offered a signing bonus of $10,000 for a two-year commitment. Both positions enjoy full medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as a supportive work environment. 

Salary Ranges: 

National average: $62,148 (SOURCE: ZipRecruiter)
Ephrata PD: $5,913 to $6,804 per month
GCSO deputies: $6,234.80 to $10,091.47 per month
GCSO corrections: $5,668 to 7,437.83 per month
Moses Lake PD: $6,620 and $8,366 per month
Mattawa PD: $5,024 per month
Quincy PD: $5,398.76 to $7,194.06 per month
Royal City PD: $4,906.66 to $5,300 per month
Soap Lake PD: $6,358 per month
Warden PD: $4,876 per month with raises 

CORRECTION: The salary range for Soap Lake Police Department officers was misstated in the initial article. The information has been corrected above.

    Soap Lake Police Officer Jacob Leenhouts was sworn in by the former Mayor Michelle Agliano in August of 2023. Soap Lake has lost officers to other departments; however, they also recently just raised officers’ pay. Chief Ryan Cox hopes that the increased rate of pay will encourage those to apply and stay with the department for years to come.