Police Officer (Lateral /Academy Graduate)

Police Officer

Under general supervision, the Police Officer patrols an assigned area, enforces public safety laws, codes, and regulations and maintains order, prevents, detects and investigates crime, and carries out special assignments in the protection of life and property; and performs other related duties as assigned. UPDATE: APRIL 17, 2025 JOB POSTING WILL REMAIN OPEN CONTINOUSLY UNTIL DESIRED AMOUNT OF APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED.

Examples Of Duties

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Patrols a designated area of the city in a vehicle or on foot or on a bicycle; enforces the Vehicle Code, the Penal Code and City ordinances; prevents crimes; inspects, reports, and corrects conditions which may lead to crime or delinquency;
• Investigates traffic collisions, criminal, complaint and other investigations; writes investigative reports; collects and preserves evidence; obtain witnesses; testifies in court;
• Apprehends crime suspects and/or makes arrests; performs jail booking procedures, including fingerprinting and photographing of prisoners;
• Gives first aid in medical emergencies;
• Mediates disputes;
• May act as a dispatcher in his/her absence.
• Other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Police science principles, practices and professional standards;
• Federal Constitution rights governing search and seizure and Miranda applications;
• State laws, Penal Codes, Traffic Codes, and Civil Codes, statutes, Court decisions, and case law;
• Local codes and ordinances, departmental policies and practices, and rules governing criminal evidence, criminal acts, arrest and custody of prisoners or contraband;
• Criminal investigation methods, identification methods;
• Crime prevention principles, use of police records, and law enforcement practices;
• Self-defense methods and physical restraint techniques;
• Radio codes, transmission procedures and communication techniques;
• Principles of human behavior;
• Professional standards;
• Contemporary patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation, and related police services, including specialty assignments;
• Communicable disease control methods and techniques;
• Proper care and maintenance of property and equipment.

Ability to:

• Operate police motor vehicles, radio communications equipment, computer hardware, and firearms and weapons;
• Interpret and apply state public safety laws, codes, and local ordinances;
• Prepare and present clear, accurate and concise police reports and statistical records;
• Analyze solutions to law enforcement problems;
• Convey clear instructions or execute commands;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with police management, City departments, public and private agencies, community groups and the general public;
• Communicate effectively with others, orally or in writing;
• Accurately recall circumstances regarding traffic incidents or crime reports;
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations;
• Think logically and maintain alertness in emergency situations;
• Relate effectively with persons from diverse social, ethnic, political and racial backgrounds and age groups.

Education/Training/Experience: Graduation from high school or a G.E.D. equivalent and successful completion of a California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified police academy. Completion of the Basic P.O.S.T. certificate is required. For specialty assignments, completion of all required training and certification related to the special position assignment.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• Current American Red Cross certificate in First Aid/CPR/AED for Schools and the Community (or equivalent) or obtain by time of employment;
• Valid Class C California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy;
• No more than 20/100 uncorrected and 20/30 corrected and freedom from uncorrectable color blindness. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus;
• Must be 21 year of age or older at time of appointment;
• Must be a United States citizen OR a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has already applied for citizenship.

Supplemental Information

Lateral Entry: At time of appointment, candidates must have a minimum of one (1) year employment as a sworn officer in a Municipal, County or State Police Department within the State of California and possess a California P.O.S.T Basic Certificate. The basic POST certificate must be submitted at the time of application Academy Graduate: At time of appointment, candidates must have a current certificate of completion of a P.O.S.T regular basic course from a State of California P.O.S.T approved Police Academy within three years prior to appointment; and, if applicable, a certificate of completion of a P.O.S.T approved requalification course. Certificate must be attached with application in order for it to be considered complete