Police Officer Academy Graduate / Lateral Transfer

Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz Police Department

Salary: $7,552.00 – $11,158.00 Monthly

Position Summary:
The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Police Officer Lateral and Academy Graduate candidates. 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.
Essential Functions:

  • Patrols assigned areas in a motorized vehicle or on foot to prevent and detect crime and enforce State and local laws.
  • Responds as dispatched to calls concerning traffic accidents, crimes, disorder and emergency situations.
  • Pursues and apprehends suspects.
  • Enforces traffic laws; investigates traffic accidents; administers first aid and controls crowds.
  • Conducts initial and follow-up investigations of crimes; collects and preserves physical evidence; photographs crime scenes; questions suspects, witnesses, and victims.
  • Makes arrests and transports prisoners.
  • Prepares crime reports, incident reports, traffic collision reports, citations, property reports and special reports as assigned.
  • Participates in the Community Awareness Program, an information program to inform citizens of police functions and crime prevention techniques.
  • Provides escort or traffic control during parades, funerals and special events; coordinates with school crossing guards to assure safety.
  • Prepares cases for prosecution and appears in court as a witness.
  • Processes and serves warrants; serves legal papers such as subpoenas, summons writs, notices, documents.
  • Collects, preserves and transports physical evidence.
  • Answers questions and provides information to the public.
  • Assists and cooperates with other law enforcement and public safety agencies.
  • Performs related duties as assigned within the guidelines or policies of the department.

Requirements:

  • 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.
  • High school graduation or tested equivalent.
  • Possession of a current academy completion certificate awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).
  • Possession of a current basic law enforcement certificate awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).
  • Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or have applied for U.S. citizenship before application for Police Officer.
  • Possession of at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California driver’s license and a safe driving record.
  • Bilingual and/or bicultural Spanish speaking.