Police Officer Academy Graduate / Lateral Transfer

Police Officer

The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Police Officer Lateral and Academy Graduate candidates. Why SCPD? The Best People. Core values are people with positive attitudes, integrity, energy, and problem solvers. Our officers are trained leaders who value teamwork, care about the community and work daily to keep it safe. Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state-of-the-art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community.

Each and every officer in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000. There are 94 sworn officers assigned to patrol, traffic, parks, community services, downtown, investigations, K9 unit, motors and undercover task force assignments. The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring, and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds.

Recruitment #26-PD-01

Application and Selection Process :

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• Apply Now with required application materials :
• Application - apply online. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out an application form completely. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.
• Responses to the supplemental questions
• A POST certificate or POST academy completion certificate (see Required POST Certification section below) must be attached to your online application or your application will be screened as incomplete.
• Applications will be screened based on the minimum qualifications for the job. For Lateral or Academy Graduate candidates, there is no written examination or physical agility testing.
• Personal History Statement : Candidates with a fully completed application who meet the minimum qualifications and submitted the required POST Certifications will be requested to submit a Sworn version of the Personal History Statement form (PHS) within 14 calendar days of notification.
• Copies of transcripts or certificate / s of your educational degrees must be attached as verification in order to qualify for Educational Bonus.
• Interviews : Candidates who successfully pass review of their PHS will go on to selection interviews. Selected candidates who pass the selection interview will continue on to the background process described below under BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND POLYGRAPH TEST.
• Successful finalists proceed to an oral interview with the department's executive team. If a candidate receives a conditional offer, they must still pass a psychological exam and the pre-employment medical exam.

Pay Incentives? YES, there are pay incentives! For the purpose of hiring incentives, new lateral Police Officers are defined as Police Officers currently employed by a law enforcement agency who have successfully completed a probationary period of at least twelve (12) months. HIRING INCENTIVE : Newly hired Lateral Police Officers will receive up to $20,000 in payments of $5,000 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $5,000 at 1.5 years post hire, $5,000 at 2.5 years post hire, and $5,000 at 3.5 years post hire. EDUCATION INCENTIVE :

An intensive background investigation will be conducted on each final candidate in accordance with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Peace Officer Background Investigations Guidelines. Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City-selected psychologist and a medical exam by a City physician (to include a stress test EKG and general physical examination). The results of the psychological exam are valid for one year. Suitability for employment will also be based on the following POST job dimensions : problem-solving ability, learning ability, observation skills, willingness to confront problems, interest in people, interpersonal sensitivity, desire for self-improvement, dependability, integrity, credibility as a witness in a court of law, communication skills, judgment under pressure and physical ability.

Applicants must be able to obtain by time of hire and continue to maintain a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record. Applicants with more than two moving violations or responsibility for more than two vehicle accidents in the past three years will be disqualified. A DUI conviction within four years or any two convictions of DUI of alcohol and / or drugs shall be disqualifying.

For more information about the position, contact the Police Department recruiting section at (831) 420-5801. To schedule a ride-along with an officer or tour the Police Department, go to the Police Department webpage. For application questions, email the Human Resources Department HR@santacruzca.gov.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to the following) :

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

For Entry-Level Candidates :

For Lateral Transfer Candidates :