We invite you to tour our Bureau and precincts, talk with our command staff and officers, and go on a ride-along.

Ride-Along Request

Military Recruit

The Portland Police Bureau welcomes men and women with military backgrounds. We highly encourage any recent college graduates or former military personnel to apply. Military recruits know what it takes to serve our country and now we want you to come and serve in our community. With us, your experience matters. We believe that your call to duty and experience will be an asset to the city of Portland.

Provisions for veterans or reservists:

Eligible veterans have the benefit of receiving preference points that go toward their initial application score. National Guard and other military reservists are entitled to paid military leave of absence. This allows officers who serve our country to maintain their military status as they pursue their law enforcement career.

Need college credits? Your military experience may be converted to college credit. Check with a local college or university for details. The Portland Police Bureau honors the GI Bill.

Why Join?

The public depends on law enforcement officers to protect the lives and property of civilians. We work and live by a set of values: integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, excellence and service. Law enforcement officers serve as the first and last line of defense against any criminal action. We help keep the streets safe by putting the bad guys behind bars. We mentor kids and help keep them out of gangs. We improve peoples’ lives by pushing criminals out of their neighborhoods and making them safe. You get to help people every day; they trust, depend and look up to you. Compared to working as a Portland Police Officer, all other jobs seem ordinary.

A Position with the Portland Police Bureau is:

• Fast-paced, exciting and varied work.
• A rewarding career with great pay and benefits.
• Full of assignments and opportunity for promotion.
• A gateway to excellent training programs. You have all the tools to fight crime and protect the people before your first day on the street.
• A retirement you can count on. With a thinning social security program and economic fluxuations that can make corporate pensions disappear, this is great peace of mind.
• Job security – A job that’s here today, a job that will be here tomorrow.

Why Portland?

Portland is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Oregon ranks among the top ten highest paying states for law enforcement.
With an affordable cost of living, Portland is that much more beautiful.

Wages & Benefits

• Salary after six months: $51,917.
• Education reimbursement.
• Opportunities for advancement.
• Excellent training.
• Relocation assistance.
• Diverse assignments.