Gear
Up
No police background? No problem.
Learn how to earn the badge today.
Join Us
Start Fresh
Get Paid to Train!
KPD provides full pay for entry-level officers as they complete the 720-hour Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Start your career on a solid foundation—on us!
Talk to a Recruiter
BENEFITS
The City of Kirkland Police Department is one of the highest-paid departments in Washington State.
Explore this base-level overview of our benefits. Specific details—such as salaries, vacation accrual, and other incentives—vary by position and experience.
Insurance (Medical / Dental / Vision / Life)
The City fully covers 100% of premium costs for medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and their families. Flexible Medical Spending and Retirement Medical Accounts are also available, and retirees can continue health coverage through the City’s plan or Kaiser Permanente at an exclusive retiree rate.
On top of that, the City provides life insurance for officers, offering a benefit equal to twice their annual salary.
Uniforms / Equipment
Each officer receives a full set of gear and uniforms and replacements are provided as needed. Plus, uniform cleaning is covered—no out-of-pocket costs, ever.
Retirement
With Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System Plan 2 (PSERS II) and the City’s MEBT plan, you’ll get competitive benefits, early retirement options, and a generous 6.2% City match.
Electric Car
Eligible officers can receive up to a $500 monthly premium for commuting in their own electric vehicle or living within 10 miles of the Kirkland Justice Center, as part of a sustainable take-home vehicle program.
Holidays
We offer at least 12 holidays a year. But if you work on one, you’ll earn 1.5 times your regular hourly rate.
More
We offer a range of additional benefits, including premium pay for specialized roles, incentives for longevity and education, along with generous vacation accrual and bonuses.
Check out the full details to see how we reward your commitment.
open roles
Entry Level Police Officer
You’re not just starting a job. You’re stepping into a role that protects Kirkland and builds trust with the people who live here. You’ll respond to 911 calls, assist at crash scenes, and learn to serve our city.
Lateral Police Officer
You’ve already put in the work. Now bring it to a department that values it. At Kirkland PD, you’ll respond to calls, support community safety, and join a city that knows how to keep great officers.
Exceptional Entry Police Officer
You’ve started the work. Now bring it to a department where you can grow. At Kirkland PD, you’ll respond to calls, work alongside experienced officers, and turn your training into the foundation for a strong career.
Exploring a different role?
We’re always accepting applications—submit yours online today.
Become a Kirkland
Police officer
That’s why our community regularly invests in KPD, supporting us with modern facilities, cutting-edge tech, and competitive perks.
Here’s a brief overview of how it works:
Start the Conversation
Want to learn more about our department and our roles?
Send us a message, and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Start The Conversation Form
Testimonials
-
“I truly enjoy working for the Kirkland Police Department and could not imagine doing anything different. Being an Officer for the City of Kirkland gives me the daily opportunity to challenge myself and work with people that foster that. The Kirkland Police Department is a team with true comradery, and we all work towards a common goal of bettering and protecting our city and its people. This is the best job out there.”
Michael Meile
Officer
-
"The Kirkland Police Department (KPD) is a tremendous place to work and has given me a newfound understanding of the concept of teamwork. I have worked in various organizations before, but none have given me the sense that everyone truly has my best interest, success, and wellbeing in mind, quite like KPD. It has also been amazing to see such a diverse group of individuals, from various backgrounds, come together under a common goal, to protect and serve our community to the utmost of our ability."
David Park
Officer
-
“Working at the Kirkland Jail has given me the security and confidence that shapes who I am today. The challenges and responsibilities of the job have helped me grow both personally and professionally. But more than anything, I’ve learned that I don’t just have coworkers, I have family. The camaraderie we share is what makes coming to work meaningful every single day.”
Imani Salazar
Corrections Corporal
-
“KPD has always felt like a family. This is a great department that is big enough to have all the career opportunities of a larger agency, but still small enough that it still feels like a family. I have always enjoyed my time with the agency and the people here at the department. The City of Kirkland has been a great city to work in and has a great balance of work. We stay busy enough to always have opportunities to find work, but not busy to the point of getting burnt out.”
Lucas Howards
Officer
-
"Over the past eight years working for the Kirkland Police Department, I have made countless lifelong friendships. The culture of the department promotes officer wellness and working in such a great community enables me to have a well-balanced work and home life. I am thankful for opportunities afforded to me within the department to grow my career. I am even more thankful to work alongside such amazing people."
David Hwang
Officer
-
“Kirkland Police Department is a professional, innovative, and pioneering agency that takes great value in leading from the forefront of proactive policing. My time here over the past 15 years has given me a broad view of all the many ways to actively police. From the Chief down to the officers and support personnel, professionalism and accountability are at the forefront of what we do. We really are pillars of the community. And for that, the community rallies behind us and supports us completely.”
Sgt. Brian Frankeberger
ProAct Unit
-
“I truly enjoy working for the Kirkland Police Department and could not imagine doing anything different. Being an Officer for the City of Kirkland gives me the daily opportunity to challenge myself and work with people that foster that. The Kirkland Police Department is a team with true comradery, and we all work towards a common goal of bettering and protecting our city and its people. This is the best job out there.”
Michael Meile
Officer
-
"The Kirkland Police Department (KPD) is a tremendous place to work and has given me a newfound understanding of the concept of teamwork. I have worked in various organizations before, but none have given me the sense that everyone truly has my best interest, success, and wellbeing in mind, quite like KPD. It has also been amazing to see such a diverse group of individuals, from various backgrounds, come together under a common goal, to protect and serve our community to the utmost of our ability."
David Park
Officer
-
“Working at the Kirkland Jail has given me the security and confidence that shapes who I am today. The challenges and responsibilities of the job have helped me grow both personally and professionally. But more than anything, I’ve learned that I don’t just have coworkers, I have family. The camaraderie we share is what makes coming to work meaningful every single day.”
Imani Salazar
Corrections Corporal
-
“KPD has always felt like a family. This is a great department that is big enough to have all the career opportunities of a larger agency, but still small enough that it still feels like a family. I have always enjoyed my time with the agency and the people here at the department. The City of Kirkland has been a great city to work in and has a great balance of work. We stay busy enough to always have opportunities to find work, but not busy to the point of getting burnt out.”
Lucas Howards
Officer
-
"Over the past eight years working for the Kirkland Police Department, I have made countless lifelong friendships. The culture of the department promotes officer wellness and working in such a great community enables me to have a well-balanced work and home life. I am thankful for opportunities afforded to me within the department to grow my career. I am even more thankful to work alongside such amazing people."
David Hwang
Officer
-
“Kirkland Police Department is a professional, innovative, and pioneering agency that takes great value in leading from the forefront of proactive policing. My time here over the past 15 years has given me a broad view of all the many ways to actively police. From the Chief down to the officers and support personnel, professionalism and accountability are at the forefront of what we do. We really are pillars of the community. And for that, the community rallies behind us and supports us completely.”
Sgt. Brian Frankeberger
ProAct Unit
