Police Officer - Lateral

Police Officer - Lateral ($40,000 Incentive) )

The City of Menlo Park is currently accepting applications for lateral Police Officers that are motivated, well-trained professionals who can meet the challenge of a fast paced, multi-tasking law enforcement environment.

The Hiring and Retention Incentive Program pays new, eligible Police Officers who are Lateral Police Officers up to a total amount of $40,000 (See details under benefits).

The Menlo Park Police department is an operation in which the patrol officers enjoy communicating and building relationships with individuals within the community. We embrace a true community connection and commitment with participants on all sides. Rather than designating certain officers to focus on solving community problems, Menlo Park will charge all police personnel with proactive community policing responsibilities. We ask our officers to seek innovative solutions to local problems, respond to citizen complaints of violations and provide excellent customer service.

A small agency, such as the Menlo Park Police Department, will enable you to attain a breadth of experience and exposure through which to advance your career in numerous ways. We are seeking individuals who are enticed by our vision and will bring high energy, innovation, self-motivation and passion to their chosen profession.

Overall, the department has strong opportunities for specialty assignments, including:

• K9
• Investigations
• Narcotics Enforcement
• Traffic
• SWAT/HNT
• POP

Patrol teams enjoy a rotating 4/12 plan or a fixed 4/10 schedule in specialty assignments.

The City realizes the diversity of the community and therefore upon approval, the City pays officers a bilingual stipend. Officers receive a 5% incentive for achieving their Intermediate POST certificate and a 10% incentive for achieving their advanced certificate. Starting September 1, 2024, Menlo Park police officers with at least one year of local service are eligible for longevity pay based on their total years as a California peace officer.

We are seeking well-qualified lateral Police Officers who are enthusiastic, community-oriented team players with the skills and ability to interact and deal effectively with a population that is both culturally and socio-economically diverse. We pride ourselves in our staff, individuals who exhibit excellent interpersonal skills, and a sincere desire to make a difference.

• Graduation from an accredited Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) basic academy (or California POST approved equivalent).
• Passed probation and worked at least one full year in patrol at a California law enforcement agency.
• Obtained a valid Basic POST Certificate in California.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent. (Additional education at the college level is preferred).
• POST standard physical requirements.

Applicants must include the most recent POST Certification (Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced) as an attachment to their application.

• Health Insurance:
  City contribution up to $3,039 per month towards a Cafeteria Plan which can be used to purchase medical insurance and participate in a flexible spending account for health care and/or child care reimbursement.
• Dental:
  City-paid coverage for employee and dependents.
• Vision:
  City-paid coverage for employee and dependents.
• Vacation: 96‑176 hours of vacation leave accrual each year, depending on length of service.
• Sick Leave: 8 hours per month.
• Holidays: 13 holidays.
• Retirement:
  CalPERS Classic Members 3% @ 55;
  New Members 2.7% @ 57 formula.
• Uniform Allowance: $1,040 annually.
• Deferred Compensation:
  Voluntary participation in City Plans.
• Life Insurance:
  City-paid policy equal to 1.5 times regular annual wage.
• Long Term Disability:
  City-paid coverage.
• A City-paid Caltrain GoPass.
• A City-paid Bay Pass: unlimited travel for both work and personal trips on 25 Bay Area transit agencies that use the Clipper card.
• Transportation allowance: $1.50 per day when walking, bicycling or carpooling to work at least once per week.
• Access to an on-site gym at no cost.

This incentive will be provided in the following incremental payments upon successful completion of the stated milestone:

• $10,000 upon acceptance of a final offer of employment with the City of Menlo Park (payable in the first pay period of hire).
• $10,000 upon successfully passing probation and completing one year of service.
• $5,000 upon successfully passing probation and completing two years of service.
• $5,000 upon successfully passing probation and completing three years of service.
• $10,000 upon successfully passing probation and completing four years of service.

For purposes of this program, a Lateral Police Officer is defined as a candidate for employment who has already completed the requirements and attained a valid Basic POST Certificate in California (i.e., an individual currently or recently employed as a full-time 830.1 peace officer…