Police Officer Recruit

Laguna Beach, CA
Laguna Beach Police Department

Salary: $93,612.00 – $131,676.00 Annually

Position Summary:
Under general supervision of a Police Sergeant, Training Officer, Watch Commander, or Police Academy Training Advisor; attends police academy as directed, performs in an assigned area of responsibility, observes violations; performs crime prevention and investigation work to protect life and property; discusses problems, complaints and violations with citizens and supervision; testifies in court hearings; assists other officers and performs special detail work as needed; and does other work as assigned. Solves community related problems and prepares comprehensive grammatically correct written and dictated reports.
Essential Functions:

  • Attending and participating in classroom and field training courses at the academy, maintaining academy minimum passing standards and Department standards for the duration of attendance, and successfully completing and graduating from the police academy;
  • Working rotating shifts and exposure to dangerous conditions;
  • Driving a vehicle safely under various conditions;
  • Lifting, carrying, dragging, pulling, and pushing objects of varying weight and size; standing, walking, and running for extended times over various distances and conditions; pursuing a running suspect through yards and over fences and walls;
  • Observing and recognizing people, activity, vehicles, street signs, and environmental conditions from a reasonable distance during day and night;
  • Not posing a direct threat to the health and safety to self or others; using only force objectively necessary to control situations and persons, including combative or fleeing suspects;
  • Operating a variety of firearms and weapons safely and proficiently;
  • Exercising good judgment in dealing with routine and unusual situations; learning and comprehending factual information, policies, procedures and rules, and using good judgment and discretion in applying same to changing conditions and situations;
  • Maintaining composure and judgment during emergency or tense situations; confront problems and enforce laws;
  • Refusing to participate in or tolerate unethical behavior;
  • Not being subject to impeachment in court due to character, reputation, history of dishonesty or violation of law, including drug violations;
  • Acting courteously toward others;
  • Taking direction from supervisors; maintaining good working relationships with other members of the Department and City;
  • Accepting criticism and applying it to performance;
  • Being dependable in meeting scheduled assignments; working extended hours when required;
  • Performing related duties as required.
  • Patrolling assigned district by automobile, motorcycle/bicycle, ATV, or on foot in order to prevent and detect crime activity and enforce laws, regulations and ordinances.
  • Responding to radio communications, computer prompts or citizen requests and investigating reported disorders, observed violations, and related incidents.
  • Noting and reporting traffic problems, abandoned or damaged vehicles and other safety hazards.
  • Issuing verbal warnings or written citations for parking, moving, and municipal violations.
  • Investigating traffic accidents and directing and controlling the flow of traffic at the scene of accidents, signal failures, special events, natural and unnatural catastrophes in adverse weather conditions.
  • Investigating and preparing reports on complaints, accidents, offenses and damages to property; interviewing witnesses and suspects.
  • Restoring order and maintaining peace at public gatherings or in conflict situations.
  • Collecting and preserving physical evidence in accordance with department policy and laws.
  • Observing and reporting conditions conducive to crime activity.
  • Providing information and assistance to the public in a respectful manner.
  • Pursuing and apprehending suspects.
  • Enforcing Municipal Code violations.
  • Preparing crime and arrest reports and documenting other situations such as traffic accidents and civil disputes.
  • Appearing in Court to testify regarding arrests or other law enforcement activity and case evidence and civil cases.
  • Searching and transporting prisoners.
  • Completing booking (e.g., digital camera, fingerprinting).
  • Administering emergency first aid to injured or incapacitated persons until medical personnel are present. Participating in classroom and field training exercises.
  • Treating Citizens, suspects and fellow employees with respect.

Requirements:

  • Education: Graduation from high school or the equivalent is required. College coursework in criminal justice, administration of justice, or a related field is preferred.
  • Experience: Some experience involving public contact work or the enforcement of public safety rules and policies is preferred.
  • License/Certificate Requirements: Must obtain a valid California Class C or Class 3 driver’s license and provide evidence of an acceptable driving record; must be legally authorized to work in the United States.