Police Officer (Entry Level - Academy Graduate)

Police Officer (Entry)

The Vallejo Police Department is committed to hiring Police Officers who embody professionalism, are dedicated to providing superior service to the community, and who will uphold the values and core principles of the department.

This recruitment is a continuous recruitment and will be closed when a viable candidate pool has been identified. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply early for immediate consideration.

The Police Officer (Entry) works under supervision and in all conditions, performing a variety of law enforcement duties that involve protecting life and property; enforcing laws and ordinances; conducting criminal investigations, crime prevention and suppression; preserving the public peace; performing special assignments in the protection of life and property; and related work as required.

Ideal candidates for this position should possess understanding of modern policing issues, philosophies, practices and trends including the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Candidates should also have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the demonstrated ability to interact with a diverse community. Graduation from a POST certified academy within the last 12 months is highly desirable.

Specialized Assignments:

• Detective
• Traffic
• K-9
• SWAT
• HNT
• Mobile Field Force
• Bike Patrol
• Crime Reduction Team
• Community Policing
• Honor Guard
• School Resource Officer

Your Impact:

• Provide quality service to the citizens of Vallejo using modern 21st Century Policing methods in the department's mission to reduce crime.
• Make a difference in the community with a progressive, forward-thinking organization in an environment that embraces diversity, creativity, and respect.

Perks:

• In addition to CalPERS retirement, medical, vision, and dental, the City of Vallejo offers some of the following additional benefits to their Officers:
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• Comp Time
• Uniform Allowance/ $1,142 per year
• Bilingual Pay
• On Duty Workout Program
• 4/10 or 3/12.5 shifts

Your Department:

The City of Vallejo Police Department's mission is to provide professional law enforcement services that enhance, protect, and promote the quality of life for persons residing, visiting, or doing business in the City of Vallejo.

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is both the entry level and the first safety class within the Police Officer series. Incumbents perform all duties required to effectively respond to and resolve situations encountered. Police Officer (Entry) may be assigned, depending on rotational assignments, to patrol, traffic, detective, crime prevention or other police-related functions.

This class is distinguished from Police Officer (Lateral) in that it is the fully experienced working level within the series, while the Police Officer (Entry) requires no experience beyond possession of a Basic Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification or re-certification.

This class is distinguished from uniformed safety police-related classes by its designation and the responsibilities and authorities associated with designation as a safety peace officer under the laws of the State of California.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Receives general supervision from supervisory and management staff.

Examples of Important Responsibilities and Duties:

• Enforces local, State and Federal laws and ordinances
• Patrols assigned areas of the City in a car, on a motorcycle, or on foot
• Protects persons and property from harm during emergency and non-emergency situations
• Responds to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents, and other required emergencies
• Pursues, subdues, apprehends and controls fleeing, uncooperative or combative persons
• Prepares reports of arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed
• Conducts both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incidents, vehicle accidents, and deaths
• Prepares search and arrest warrants; makes arrests; serves warrants and subpoenas
• Interrogates suspects and interviews victims, complainants and witnesses
• Coordinates and investigates violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, and narcotics violations
• Testifies and presents evidence in court; provides backup assistance for other officers and law enforcement personnel
• Collects, preserves, and maintains evidence, found property, and property for safekeeping
• Assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws by issuing citations and warnings
• Searches, fingerprints, and transports prisoners
• Responds to demonstrations, riots, hostage situations, barricaded subjects and other extremely hazardous situations
• Maintains contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserves good relationships with the public
• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating apprehending offenders and investigating offenses
• Observes, monitors, directs, and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions
• Assists with special investigative and crime prevention duties
• Checks buildings for physical security
• Administers first aid as needed

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge of:
• Basic law enforcement terminology, methods and concepts as taught in a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy and Field Training Program
• Techniques for dealing with people under hostile and emergency situations
• Ability to:
• Act with integrity, dependability, and professionalism to maintain the public trust
• Comprehend, interpret, explain, and implement laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and instructions
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; and prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports
• Think and act quickly; demonstrate sound judgment and rational thinking under adverse/dangerous circumstances; judge situations and people accurately; rapidly evaluate options and alternatives and choose appropriate responses
• Work with people from all socio-economic backgrounds
• Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of department equipment, including, but not limited to firearms, vehicles, radios, and computers
• Demonstrate and maintain a physical condition which permits the satisfactory performance of assigned duties and responsibilities at all times, in all weathers and conditions, in a conveyance or on foot
• Demonstrate audio-visual acuity, perception and discrimination sufficient to accurately: hear instructions and information, make observations, testify in court, read and write, and properly operate assigned equipment and vehicles
• Demonstrate proficiency in the exercise of defensive tactics
• Handle an automobile in high speed and emergency situations
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times

Education:

• A High School diploma, GED, or equivalent;
• Graduation from a California P.O.S.T. certified basic Academy within the last three (3) years or
• possession of a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Recertification certificate; and
• Completion of 60 semester units or equivalent from an accredited college or university is highly desirable.

In accordance with P.O.S.T., all applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Possess a valid California driver's license
• Possess a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate
• Be 20 years old by the date of the written examination and be 21 years, or older