Police Officer; Pre-Service)(Police Academy Graduate

Overview

Continue your career in law enforcement with the Town of Los Gatos. New salary effective July 2025: $63.65-$77.36 per hour;
July 2026: $66.19-$80.46 per hour. Plus excellent benefits. Placement within the range depends on experience.

Pre-Service Police Officer is a candidate who has completed the California Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) Basic Police Academy training program or is currently enrolled in a California Basic Police Academy (unaffiliated) within at least four weeks of completing instruction and in good standing with the Academy. See Required Education, Experience and Training for other requirements.

The Police Officer classification series offers career growth opportunities for both new professionals and those with more work experience. The Department has a culture of promoting from within and offers different opportunities to broaden and gain specialized experience.

• Crisis Response Team
• Bicycle Team
• Collision Reconstruction Team
• Defense Tactics Instructor
• Peer Support Team
• Crime Scene Investigation Team
• Crisis Negotiations Team
• Task Force Officer
• Explorer Police Advisor
• Crisis Intervention Team
• Homeless Liaison

• Canine Officer
• School Resource Officer
• Motorcycle Officer
• Field Training Officer (FTO)
• Investigations

The Town of Los Gatos and the City of Monte Sereno have a combined population of about 34,000 residents. The LGMS Police Department is budgeted for 39 sworn and 21 civilian personnel and has over 50 community volunteers. The department works to provide high-quality service and build strong community relationships through partnerships and collaboration.

• Building a highly competent, professional police department.
• Building community relationships.
• Engaging in community problem solving.

The Town of Los Gatos is a general law city operating under the Council/Manager form of government. The Town’s fiscal year 2023/24 General Fund budget is $56.1 million. Learn more about the Town of Los Gatos.

Under general supervision, police officers perform various peace officer duties involving protecting life and property, enforcing laws and ordinances, criminal investigation, traffic control, crime prevention and suppression. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Identify problems or issues important to the community and seek resolution through the Police Department, other Town Departments, and/or governmental agencies.
• Conduct preliminary or follow-up investigations of burglaries, thefts, robberies, deaths, accidents, and other disturbances.
• Collect and present evidence and testify at hearings and in court in connection with criminal prosecutions.
• Answer calls for protection of life and property in the enforcement of Town, County and State laws.
• Initiate or maintain custody of prisoners and transport to jail.

Officers must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays. There is an 18-month probationary period. This position is a non-exempt classification represented by the Los Gatos Police Officers' Association (POA).

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must have successfully completed the Basic Police Academy within the past year OR are currently enrolled in a California Basic Police Academy (unaffiliated) within at least 4 weeks of completing instruction and in good standing with the Academy, and:

• Must be 21 years of age at time of appointment as a sworn Police Officer
• Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident eligible for citizenship
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License at time of appointment
• Graduation from high school or equivalent
• At least one of the following criteria: 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits, or Military Veteran with four or more years of service and honorable discharge

MUST INCLUDE and will not be considered without the following:

• POST Academy Certificate
• WSTB Score dated within one year
• Pellet-B Score

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Ability to fluently speak and…