Police Officer (Lateral)

Salary: $90,624.66 – $115,662.58 Annually

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of laws, codes, and ordinances; patrols areas of the City and conducts surveillance; performs investigative work; controls traffic flow and enforces traffic regulations; participates in and provides support and assistance to special department crime prevention and enforcement programs; responds to various emergencies and calls for service; assists in the preparation of cases and testifies in court; serves in specialized departmental roles as assigned; provides information and assistance to the public; and performs related work as required.

Essential Functions:

• Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public.
• Patrols an area of the City to observe and address suspicious or potential criminal activity; responds to emergency calls for service, including, but not limited to, disturbances, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, deaths, and other incidents to protect public safety, life, and property; resolves problems and diffuses situations; enforces state and local laws, ordinances, and codes.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers against unlawful practices; issues citations and makes arrests as necessary; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident, incident, and emergency situations, special events, or other congested situations.
• Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer-term facility; searches, fingerprints, photographs, and books prisoners.
• Prepares reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed; prepares and maintains other related reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Secures crime scenes and gathers and preserves evidence; interviews suspects, victims, complainants, and witnesses; documents interviews; interrogates suspects; coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults.
• Conducts traffic studies and surveys and investigates traffic collisions; obtains accident statements and examines scene conditions; prepares written documentation of the scene and witness accounts; clears scene of obstructions and wreckage; reports traffic hazards; conducts and investigates accidents involving serious injury and/or fatality.
• Provides emergency medical assistance to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests appropriate medical attention or advanced medical support, as necessary.
• Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy; cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.
• Assists in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required; schedules and implements crime prevention and educational programs.
• Retrieves and requests information involving arrests and subpoenas; files complaints and performs other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints; serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• Provides outreach to homeless individuals; observes individuals for potential physical or behavioral health issues; conducts welfare checks.
• Prepares cases for trial; testifies and presents evidence in court; coordinates activities of pre-trial investigation and preparation for the District Attorney’s Office.
• Attends and participates in meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in law enforcement.
• Carries out special assignments related to departmental operations or law enforcement activities as necessary; maintains and ensures the safe working condition of assigned patrol vehicle, firearms, and other equipment.
• Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
• This is a lateral entry opportunity; applicants must have Basic P.O.S.T. certificate and be currently employed as a full-time Police Officer.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Graduation from a P.O.S.T. accredited Police Academy.
• Out of State Applicants: At least one continuous year of sworn general law enforcement experience within the last two years. Basic Course Waiver (BCW) from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is required and must be submitted by time of appointment.
• Vision: No more than 20/70 uncorrected and 20/20 corrected and normal color vision. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Age: Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States OR permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has already applied for citizenship.
• Character: Applicants must be of good character and reputation. Applicants will be fingerprinted and records checked in both State and Federal Bureaus. Applicants must not have any felony convictions, or numerous convictions of minor offenses. Credit rating, if established, must be satisfactory.
• Driver’s License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license, an acceptable driving record and evidence of insurability.