Police Officer – Lateral/Academy Graduate

Fountain Valley, CA
Fountain Valley Police Department

Salary: $92,240.36 – $112,118.72 Annually

Position Summary:

To perform responsible work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances, patrol, crime prevention, investigation, and other duties as assigned.

This classification is distinguished by the highly responsible police work performed in the prevention and detection of crimes and for maintaining order.

Essential Functions:

  • Patrol an assigned area searching for indicators of possible criminal activity or threats to life and property; answer calls for police service; enforce City, county, and state laws; make field contacts and prepare required reports; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, vehicle accidents, suspected homicides, and other criminal incidents.
  • Make traffic stops and issue warnings, citations, or arrests as necessary; check vehicles and observe occupants of vehicles; responds to calls related to traffic incidents and other emergencies; provides first aid for injured persons, and take safeguards to prevent further accidents; interviews principals and witnesses; takes written statements and examines conditions of accident scene; clears or directs clearing of obstructions and wreckage; observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions; assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws.
  • Make arrests as necessary; serve warrants and subpoenas; conduct searches and seizures involving people, vehicles, and structures; interview victims, complainants and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; receive, search, and book prisoners; fingerprint and transport prisoners; and testify and present evidence in court.
  • Investigates crimes against persons and property; interviews victims and witnesses; searches for, evaluates and secures/collects evidence; arrest suspected perpetrator(s).
  • Writes reports and field notes; participates in staff development; attends briefings and training sessions; performs routine maintenance on assigned firearms and other equipment.
  • Assist the public and answer questions; administer first aid and respond to calls for medical assistance; establish and maintain good relationships with the general public.
  • Maintain knowledge of local ordinances and state laws, rules of evidence for criminal cases, crime prevention techniques, current investigation techniques, traffic control techniques, care and custody of persons and property.
  • Drive vehicles under hazardous and emergency conditions.

Requirements:

  • High School graduate, pass the General Education Development Test (GED) or other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution.
  • Associate of Arts or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is highly desirable.
  • Currently enrolled in a California Peace Officer Standards police training academy and be in good standing. Must be able to show proof of academy completing at the time of appointment.
  • Or must have completed a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) approved Basic Police Recruit Academy and are currently working as a Peace Officer.
  • Previous law enforcement experience is highly desirable.
  • Possession of a valid California Class “C” driver’s license.
  • At least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
  • Legally authorized to work in the United States by federal law.
  • Candidates selected for processing will be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal records.
  • Candidates must be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.
  • Candidates must be free of any felony convictions.
  • Candidates must have normal hearing acuity.
  • Candidates must have vision of 20/70 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 and normal color vision.
  • Candidates must have height and weight in accordance with age, sex, and frame.
  • Police Officers must be able to work rotating shifts, evenings, holidays, and weekends as assigned.
  • Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.