Police Officer - Entry Level

Salary : $60,538.40 Annually
Location : La Habra, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 00378
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 02/12/2025

Description
POLICE ACADEMY ATTENDEE: Academy attendees shall be hired on as Police Officer Trainee and paid at the trainee hourly rate. Upon graduation from the academy, the Police Officer Trainee will be sworn in as a Police Officer and assume the full duties, starting salary and benefits of that position.
ABOUT THE CITY

The City of La Habra is a vibrant Southern California community, strategically located in the northwest corner of Orange County. Today the City is home to a population of over 63,000 residents within La Habra's 7.3 square miles. A friendly and diverse community, La Habra is conveniently located within an hour's drive of many beaches, mountains, and desert recreation areas. The City is known for the Corn Festival, Citrus Fair, Tamale Festival and the jewel of La Habra, its Children's Museum. While the City has planned for and encourages measured growth, it retains a small town feel and lives up to its heritage as "A Caring Community."

Would you like to be a part of a team that believes in investing in partnerships with the community, proactive crime prevention, community education and overall effective police work?

If so, the City of La Habra Police Department features:

• Patrol Services (3/12.5 work schedule).
  
• SWAT; North County SWAT.
  
• Traffic-Motors/Commercial Enforcement/Fatal Accidents/Reconstruction Team.
  
• Investigations-General (Robbery/Homicide/Family Crimes/Property and Economic Crimes) Special (Gangs and Narcotics).
  
• Regional Task Force.
  
• School Resource Officer.
  
• Canine (Two handlers).
  
• Explorer Advisor.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

This position is designed for applicants who do not have prior experience as a Police Officer and who are not academy-trained. Applicants selected will be assigned to the Police Academy, and upon successful completion, will be sworn in as a Police Officer.
Examples of Duties
(The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.)

• Operate police motor vehicles, radio communications equipment, computer equipment, 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 working relationships with other divisions, police management, city departments, public and private agencies, community groups and the general public
• Communicate effectively, both 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.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFYING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
ABILITY TO:

• Learn, understand, and interpret laws, ordinances, departmental policies, and regulations
• Analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action
• Write clear and accurate reports
• Physically complete academy training
• Establish and maintain effective relationships and to deal tactfully and effectively with the public

Supplemental Information

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

EDUCATION: High school diploma or equivalent is required.

EXPERIENCE: This is an entry level position; no work experience is required.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license, satisfactory driving record and evidence of insurance is required. Must have the ability to successfully complete a California POST basic academy training.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Legally authorized under federal law to work in the United States.
• Must be 21 years of age or older at time of appointment.
• As a condition of continued employment, employees shall refrain from smoking tobacco or any other non-tobacco substance at any time on duty.
• Record must be free from conviction of any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or domestic violence, and from an excessive number of citations for traffic violations.
• Background history should indicate responsibility, dependability, honesty, integrity, acceptable communication skills, good judgement and the ability to relate well to others.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to stand, sit in a patrol car for long periods, walk; lift, carry, push, and pull a grown adult (move up to 160 pounds); climb walls, fences, stairs and ladders, stoop, twist, squat/kneel, crawl, run, grasp, repeatedly bend and move wrists, use both hands, legs and feet; reach with both hands: speak, hear and understand radio communications, touch/feel, see at a distance and up close and have depth perception and normal color vision. Must be physically fit to perform the job including corrected or uncorrected vision of 20/20 or better; physical strength and agility to perform foot pursuit and physical restraint of suspects.

VISION: Corrected or uncorrected vision of 20/20 or better with normal color vision and depth perception with no color deficiencies.

HEARING: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. Able to hear in-person; as well as, distinguish radio and telephone conversations, recognize differences or changes in sound patterns and loudness or pitch.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents may be exposed to smoke/fumes/gas, live electricity, excessive heat/cold, inclement weather, high frequency noise, dirt/dust, grease/oil, chemicals and solvents/toxic agents and may infrequently be exposed to radiation, treated water, and pesticides.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
SELECTION PROCESS: May include but is not limited to a written exam, physical agility test, oral interview, polygraph examination, background check, medical examination and a psychological evaluation. Once selected the applicant will attend a POST approved academy at the choosing of the La Habra Police Department.

WORK SCHEDULE: 3/12.5 work week schedule or 4/10 work week schedule for Special Assignments. Ability to work extended hours in order to meet shift needs, complete reports, attend meetings, or conduct police business.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISASTER SERVICE WORKER: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all La Habra city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

The City of La Habra is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.
INTERESTED IN APPLYING?

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a City application and supplemental questions online through the Human Resources Department webpage at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lahabraca. Completed applications, supplemental questions will be accepted on a CONTINUOUS BASIS. Applications will be screened and those applicants deemed best qualified will be invited to participate a the testing process. The testing process includes: a pre-employment orientation, written test; physical agility test; oral interview; background investigation; psychological examination; polygraph; medical exam, including a drug/alcohol test.

If an accommodation is needed during the interviewing or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department at least five days in advance of your scheduled appointment so that we may be able to provide a reasonable accommodation.
This bulletin is not a contract, neither expressed nor implied.

Any provision herein may be modified or revoked.
MEDICAL INSURANCE:
Several CalPERS health plans are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.
DENTAL INSURANCE:
Three (3) plans are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.

VISION INSURANCE:
The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium. The Employee may pay a portion of the insurance premium according to the bargaining unit agreement and this benefit is voluntary.

LIFE INSURANCE:
Amount of coverage is based on the employee bargaining unit. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.

LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD):
Employees in this group are required to be enrolled in Long Term Disability (LTD). Premiums will be entirely employee-paid.

RETIREMENT:
CalPERS 2% @ 60 with a 8% employee contribution (classic); new members 2% @ 62 with a 50% of the normal cost plus 1% cost sharing (PEPRA). The City of La Habra does not participate in Social Security.

RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS):
Employee contributes $20 per month to a Retirement Health Savings (RHS) account and the City contributes $10 per month for each unit member.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION:
The City offers MissionSquare Retirement (formerly ICMA-RC) as its deferred compensation administrator. This is a voluntary benefit with no City contribution.

VACATION:
Earned at the rate of eighty (80) hours per year for the first four (4) years of service. Additional vacation may be earned by employees after five (5) years of service.

SICK LEAVE:
Earned at the rate of ten (10) hours per month.

PERSONAL DAY:
All members are granted a personal day per calendar year.

HOLIDAYS:
An average of eleven (11) holidays per year.
01

Do you have a valid California class C driver's license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have the ability to work extended hours in order to meet the needs of the department, complete assigned work, and attend meetings or events as needed?

• Yes
• No

03

What is the highest education completed?

• No Diploma
• High School or G.E.D
• Some College - 59 units or less
• Some College - more than 60 units
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

04

Police Department employees must refrain from smoking tobacco or any other non-tobacco substance at any time on or off duty. Do you understand that violation of this condition of employment shall be deemed good cause for dismissal if you should be employed by the City of La Habra?

• Yes
• No

05

Can you meet the minimum vision requirements of 20/100, correctable to 20/20 with normal color vision and depth perception?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you a citizen of the United States or have you applied for U.S. Citizenship at least six months prior to the submittal of your employment application?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No

08

Have you used any narcotics or other habit-forming drugs (other than prescribed) within the last year?

• Yes
• No

09

Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

10

Have you ever been convicted of any act of domestic violence?

• Yes
• No

11

Have you ever been convicted of a crime against a child?

• Yes
• No

12

I understand that an incomplete application may lead to disqualification from the recruitment process and I have supplied all the applicable information in my application. Leaving items blank or noting "See Resume" are not acceptable.

• Agree
• Disagree

13

I understand that as part of the qualifying process for Entry Level Police Officer, I will have a polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, a physical examination including controlled substance screening, and a thorough background investigation. I will also be required to complete a detailed personal history statement. Any falsification of information or failure to meet the standards listed above will result in my disqualification.

• By clicking here, I submit my electronic signature acknowledging that I have read and understand the qualifying process for Entry Level Police Officer.

14

How did you hear about this position?

• Billboard
• City Website
• POST Website
• CATO Website
• Other Website
• Friend or Family Member
• City Employee

Required Question