Police Officer - Lateral (2026)

Police Officer - Lateral (2026)

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Police Officer - Lateral (2026)

Salary

$104,416.00 - $126,921.60 Annually

Location

Carlsbad, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

00537-2026

Department

Police

Opening Date

01 / 02 / 2026

Description

Benefits

Questions

The Position

PLEASE NOTE : Do not apply to this position if you are not a current or previous Law Enforcement Officer.

This is not a Police Recruit position.

For more information on the Carlsbad Police Department, click here : www.carlsbadpolice.com

If you are an out of state lateral, you must obtain a POST waiver prior to your hire date.

Please follow the link below for more information or to apply for a POST waiver : https : / / post.ca.gov / basic-course-waiver-process

Out of state and Northern California applicants are eligible to interview virtually, which is the first step in the recruitment process

(contingent on qualifications / experience).

Under general supervision, this position will perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; control traffic flow and enforce state and local traffic regulations; perform investigative work; and do related work as assigned.

You belong in Carlsbad

The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

Selection Process :

Oral Panel Appraisal Interview : Appraisal of general experience, education, judgment, problem solving ability and communication skills. Those candidates who are categorized as "Highly Qualified" will continue in the selection process.

Background Appraisal Interview : Completion and review of detailed Personal History Statement.

Candidates meeting the basic criteria will continue with a background investigation.

Comprehensive Background Investigation : A detailed investigation of the candidate's personal history and suitability for employment as a law enforcement officer based on the job dimensions identified by POST. This investigation includes a required lie detection polygraph screening.

Captains' Interview : Personal interviews with the Captain of Field Operations and the Captain of Support Operations.

Final Steps : Psychological and medical evaluations before hire are required. The Chief of Police may select / appoint any individual who has successfully completed the process. Appointments are probationary for one year.

Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration.

Key Responsibilities

Patrol city on radio, car or on foot; answer calls for the protection of Life and property, and the enforcement of city, county, and state laws; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, holdups, vehicle accidents, death, and other criminal incidents.

Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.

Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the Investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders.

Prepare reports of arrests made, investigations conducted, and unusual incidents observed.

Serve warrants and subpoenas.

While on patrol, stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; warn drivers against unlawful practices; issue citations and make arrests as necessary. Check buildings for physical security. Receive, search, book, fingerprint, and transport prisoners. Direct traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.

Administer first aid in emergency situations.

As assigned by the Police Chief, participate as an investigative officer in a comprehensive program involving Juvenile delinquency and the investigation of alternative methods for handling Juveniles in the criminal Justice system.

Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public.

Qualifications

Ability to :

Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places.

Use and care for firearms.

Think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately.

Learn, understand, and interpret laws and regulations.

Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports.

Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Understand and carry out oral and written directions.

Meet standards of physical stature, endurance, and agility established by the city.

Experience & Education

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these abilities would be graduation from high school or equivalent.

Special Requirements :

Must meet the standards established for peace officers as defined by California Government Code Section 1031.

Possession of an appropriate California Driver's License.

Obtain a Peace Officers Standards and Training Basic Certificate.

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Life Insurance

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2.7% @ 57 (retirement formula may vary depending on prior California public sector service)

Bilingual Pay

Holidays - 11 scheduled holidays

Paid vacation

Computer purchase loan

Education Incentive Pay

Tuition reimbursement

Uniform Allowance

A detailed list of our benefits can be found here : Carlsbad Benefits (http : / / www.carlsbadca.gov / services / depts / hr / full_time_benefits.asp)

01

The information you provide on this application will be used as part of the ongoing application process and background investigation to assist in determining your suitability for the position of California Peace Officer for the City of Carlsbad, in accordance with POST Commission Regulation 1953.

• It is your responsibility to complete this application and provide all required information. One- word answers will not be accepted. You are expected to provide details in all affirmative answers, unless your are legally bound from doing so.
• You must respond to all questions. If a question does not apply to you, write "N / A" (not applicable) in the space provided for your response. Disqualification There are very few automatic basis for rejection. Even issues of proper misconduct, such as prior illegal drug use, driving under the influence, theft, or even arrest or conviction are usually not, in and of themselves, automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements or omissions can and often will result in your application being rejected, regardless of the nature of reason for the misstatements / omissions. In fact, the number one reason individuals "fail" background investigations is because they deliberately withhold or misrepresent job-relevant information from their prospective employer. BOTTOM LINE : You are responsible for providing complete, accurate, and truthful responses. Disclosure of Medically-Related Information In accordance with the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, applicants are not expected or required to reveal any medical or other disability-related information about themselves or their family members in response to questions on this form. I have read and I understand the above directions - if so, please initial below.

02

If you are not a current or previous law enforcement officer, DO NOT APPLY for this position. This is for lateral officers only. Do you meet this criteria?

Yes

No

03

Do you have one year of California law enforcement experience as a Police Officer, and possess your POST Basic Certificate?

Yes

No

04

If you are a lateral candidate from out of state, do you have one year of out of state experience as a law enforcement officer?

Yes

No

I am not a lateral candidate from out of state

05

If you are an out of state lateral applicant and are requested to continue in the recruitment process, will you be able to complete the POST Basic course waiver process prior to hire date?

Yes

No

06

If you are an out of state applicant... Have you contacted POST and confirmed that you can get a POST waiver if needed? What date did you make contact with POST? If you are not an out of state applicant, please indicate "n / a".

07

Have you ever been asked to or forced to resign in lieu of termination while working for a law enforcement agency?

Yes

No

08

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide details. If you answered "No", indicate "n / a".

09

If you are an in-state lateral, have you successfully completed one year as a solo patrol officer?

Yes

No

10

If you answered "No" to the previous question, please indicate at what level you currently serve your agency. If you answered "Yes", indicate "n / a".

11

Have you ever been disciplined?

Yes

No

12

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide details of discipline. If you answered "No", indicate "n / a".

13

Have you ever been fired, released from probation, or resigned in lieu of termination?

Yes

No

14

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide details. If you answered "No", indicate "n / a".

15

Have you ever been involved in a physical / verbal altercation with a supervisor and / or co-worker?

Yes

No

16

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide details. If you answered "No", indicate "n / a".

17

Have you ever quit without giving proper notice?

Yes

No

18

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide details. If you answered "No", indicate "n / a".

19

Have you ever been accused of discrimination by a co-worker, superior, subordinate or a member of the public?

Yes

No

20

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide details. If you answered "No", indicate "n / a".

21

Have you ever been counseled due to tardiness or absences?

Yes

No

22

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide details. If you answered "No", indicate "n / a".

23

Excluding the use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, have you ever used or experimented with any substance, drug or narcotic, even one time?

24

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide details. If you answered "No", indicate "n / a".

Required Question

Employer

Carlsbad, City of (CA)

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