Police Officer - Lateral

FOR THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
You must be currently employed, or within the last six months, as a peace officer with a California Police or Sheriff's Department in order to be considered for this lateral recruitment. Top step officers earn up to $178,886 base pay plus Holiday-In-Lieu Pay, Uniform Allowance, Advanced POST Certificate Pay, and Longevity Pay (3%).

Scheduled Pay Increases

5/6/25 - 10%
5/4/26 - 5%
5/3/27 - 5%
5/1/28 - 5%

Scheduled POST Certification Pay IncreasesIntermediate POST Certificate Advanced POST Certificate5/6/25 $ 400/month $600/month5/4/26 $ 440/month $750/month5/3/27 $ 480/month $900/month5/1/28 $ 525/month $1,050/month

Longevity

Police Officers will be eligible to receive up to five (5) years of service credit towards longevity for previous sworn California law enforcement experience. Employees must provide proof of prior sworn California law enforcement experience to Human Resources. Longevity Pay is 3% of base pay.


Health Care Benefits

The City will provide a cafeteria benefit of $1,950 per month to be used towards medical premiums. Any unused portion of the cafeteria benefit will be paid as taxable income to the employee. The City will pay the premiums for the dental and vision plans selected by the employee.

For more information on benefits, please see the benefits tab.

DEFINITION

Under direction, patrols an assigned area to protect life and property, prevent crime, maintain order, and enforce laws, ordinances and constitutional mandates; performs investigative work in detection of crime; performs public service tasks; and other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level class in the sworn law enforcement series.

Persons in this classification work within the framework of established law enforcement procedures and are expected to exercise independent judgment in dealing tactfully with the public in emotional situations and to react effectively in emergency situations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direction is provided by a Police Sergeant or a higher sworn management position.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May provide direction to Police Cadets, Community Service Specialists, Reserve Police Officers, volunteers, temporary employees and other employees, as assigned.

Field Functions

Patrols an assigned area of the City by vehicle, foot, or as designated by the supervisor; maintains law and order; responds to emergencies as directed over the radio and telephone; conducts investigations of complaints and crime reports to determine if a crime has been committed; investigates traffic accidents; administers first aid and gives assistance to the injured; makes arrests; serves subpoenas and warrants;

guards prisoners; questions suspects; notes and reports unsafe conditions; prepares evidence and appears in court; searches for stolen property and lost persons; provides directions and information to the public regarding laws, ordinances, traffic safety, and available public services and resources; issues citations of traffic violators; analyzes facts, clues, and evidence and makes investigations to determine the identity of law violators and to locate their whereabouts;

maintains effective working relationships with other law enforcement agencies, employees, and the public; operates radio and other communication equipment; protects life, property, public order, and the constitutional rights of all citizens; and takes notes from verbal communication.

Administrative Functions

Writes and prepares reports and completes forms at a rapid rate of speed; collects and gathers data and information using electronic and other resources; and uses computers to perform various functions.

Demonstrated Knowledge of
:

Basic English grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation, and report writing techniques; basic mathematics; effective communication and public speaking techniques; problem solving techniques; effective interpersonal relations; computer operating systems and software applications.

Demonstrated Skills to
:

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; read, understand, explain, implement, and enforce technical material consisting of laws, policies, regulations, guidelines and orders concerning the protection of life, property, and the maintenance of law, order, and the peace; observe and accurately recall names, faces, numbers, incidents and places; think and act quickly in emergencies; analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action;

use good judgment in making decisions, often under pressure; understand and carry out written and oral directions; speak clearly and concisely; write at a fast rate of speed to prepare accurate and factual written reports; perform basic math computations; safely operate motor vehicles; establish cooperative relationships with co-workers, supervisors, public officials, employees of other agencies;be mentally alert to make observations;

relate effectively to the general public; utilize computers and computer software, as required; adhere to the California Peace…