Lateral Police Officer

The City of Garden Grove is currently accepting online applications for the position of:

LATERAL POLICE OFFICER

Final date to receive applications for this recruitment is Monday, November 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

THE GARDEN GROVE POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Police Department consists of 182 sworn staff including a chief, a deputy chief, three (3) captains, seven (7) lieutenants, 23 sergeants and 148 police officers, in addition to civilian personnel.

After sufficient experience in the department, specialization is available in Patrol, Investigations, Juvenile Services, Motorcycle Traffic Enforcement, Accident Investigation, Vice-Narcotic Enforcement, Gang Suppression Unit, Community Impact Unit, or Canine Handler. An outstanding in-service training program provides officers with extensive, continuous instruction in basic and specialized police techniques. Patrol officers work a modified 3/12.5 work schedule.

Under general supervision, police officers perform law enforcement and crime prevention work within a community policing philosophy; control traffic flow; enforce state and local laws and ordinances; and perform investigative work.

EDUCATION: Graduation from high school or successful completion of the GED (General Educational Development) exam.

EXPERIENCE: Must be currently employed as a sworn peace officer in a California city, county, state or other public agency.

CERTIFICATIONS: Must possess a valid California POST Basic certificate (or higher) pursuant to PC 13510. (PLEASE ATTACH A COPY OF A VALID POST CERTIFICATE TO YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION).

Lateral Police Officer candidates from outside the State of California may be considered if they have a California POST Basic Course Waiver at the time of application. For more information on the Basic Course Waiver process, please call the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training's Basic Training Bureau at .

PHYSICAL CONDITION: Must be in excellent condition and physically capable of performing all tasks required of a police officer; fitness standards must be maintained throughout employment as a police officer.

VISION: Bilateral vision must be at least 20/100, correctable to 20/30, with no evidence of color blindness.

HEARING: Hearing aids are not acceptable; applicants with an average hearing loss of 26 dB or more in the better ear in the 500 to 2000 c.p.s. range, and 46 dB in the 3000 c.p.s. range in the other ear are disqualified (ANSI standard).

WORK AUTHORIZATION: Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States under federal law.

DRIVER'S LICENSE & DRIVING RECORD: Applicants must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record prior to and throughout employment. An acceptable driving record is one that has three (3) or fewer DMV points issued within the past five (5) years, and no more than one (1) DUI within the past ten (10) years.

ADDITIONAL ABILITIES &

SKILLS:

Observe and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places, and to judge situations and persons accurately; operate an automobile and learn to operate a motorcycle; learn standard broadcasting procedure of a police radio system; follow oral and written instructions; complete accurate reports; communicate effectively and work cooperatively with others, especially the public.

BILINGUAL

SKILLS:

Applicants possessing the ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean are highly desirable.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be legally authorized to carry a firearm and have no felony convictions.