Police Officer – Lateral

Petaluma, CA
Petaluma Police Department

Salary
$87,235.20 – $106,100.80 Annually

Hiring Bonus and Incentives:

  • $10,000 signing bonus upon successful hiring process
  • $5,000 upon completion of probationary period
  • $10,000 upon completion of three years of service
  • Vacation accrual rate that matches the total years of service as a Police Officer
  • A bank of 40 hours of sick leave at the time of hire
  • A bank of 80 hours of vacation leave upon successful completion of the Field Training Program

Summary
Perform a wide variety of peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinan­ces, criminal investigation, crime prevention and suppression, case preparation and testimony, and provision of information and assistance to the public; perform special assignments in areas such as traffic patrol, K-9 program, and gang detail.

Class Characteristics
General supervision is provided by the Police Sergeant; responsibilities may include the indirect supervision of officers and/or support staff.

This is the working level class in law enforcement, performing all duties required to effectively respond to and resolve the normal scope of peace officer situations. Incumbents may be assigned to patrol, traffic, juvenile, crime pre­vention or other police-related functions. This class is distinguished from uniformed civilian police-related classes by the responsibility and authority associated with designation as a sworn peace officer under the laws of the state. It is further distinguished from the Police Sergeant class in that the latter is a first-line supervisor responsible for assigned officers and other support staff.

Duties

  • Patrol assigned areas to ensure the security of life and property, observe situations, and deter crime by providing high visibility; respond to suspicious activities and answer emergency calls for service; enforce state, local, and federal laws and ordinances; issue verbal warnings and citations; pursue and apprehend suspects and request assistance as required.
  • Investigate criminal activity and incidents as the responding officer; coordinate crime scene control and investigation, including interviews and interrogations and identification of witnesses; oversee collection and preservation of physical evidence; restore order, protect life and property, and maintain the peace at public gatherings and in conflict situations.
  • Prepare and document cases, complete reports and records, and prepare and maintain other logs and records.
  • Investigate traffic accidents and provide traffic and crowd control as necessary.
  • Participate in special details and assignments, including K-9, traffic patrol, narcotics, investigation, and related activities; retrieve, identify, and return found property and/or evidence to owners; provide emergency aid and assistance to incapacitated persons and request additional response; provide information, directions, and other services and assistance to the public; testify in court, as subpoenaed; respond to SWAT team call-outs; may act as hostage negotiator.

Lateral Applicant Requirements
To be considered as a lateral applicant you must:

  • Be currently employed as a peace officer in good standing by a California-authorized jurisdiction.
  • Have successfully completed your Field Training program in your current agency.
  • Must possess Basic POST certification.

Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:
Equivalent to graduation from high school and completion of a recognized police academy.

Certifications/Licenses:
Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license.

Must possess a basic P.O.S.T. certification and maintain firearms qualification.