Police Officer I/II/III

POLICE OFFICER I/II/III

Police Officer Monthly Salary: I: $5,799- $7,401; II: $6,249 - $7,975; III: $6,870 - $8,770

Job Description      Benefits

Job Type                Department         Closing Date

Full-Time                 Police                   Continuous

Selection Process All City applications will be reviewed for accuracy, completeness & job-related qualifications. A limited number of the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an oral interview. Physical agility & written testing may be required. Finalists must successfully pass thorough background investigation, medical, polygraph, & psychological exams Fingerprints are required. Appointment to the position is contingent upon successfully passing all examinations. Applicants who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on an eligibility list.

Licenses and Special Requirements Lateral Entry: At time of appointment, candidates must possess or be eligible for a California Basic POST Certificate. Please submit POST Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced Certificates at the time of application.

Academy Graduate: At time of appointment, candidates must have successfully completed a California POST approved Basic Academy within the last 3 years. The POST Basic Academy Certificate must be submitted at the time of application.

Academy in Progress: Applicants must be currently enrolled at a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) approved Police Academy and must graduate prior to hire.

All Candidates: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent; possess or be eligible for a valid First Aid and CPR Certificate; be at least 21 years old at time of appointment; weight proportional to height; uncorrected vision of 20/100 or better in both eyes and must be corrected to 20/30; normal color vision; possess sufficient strength & agility to perform the duties; possess a valid California Driver’s License at time of appointment; and live within a reasonable response time of the Police Department.

Compensation and Employee Benefits

• Public Employees Retirement System: The City provides PERS retirement at 2.7%@57 for new members and 3%@55 for classic members. The City does not participate in Social Security. 
• Holidays: Thirteen holidays 
• Vacation: Vacation time starts at 80 hours annually increasing to 200 hours
• Sick Leave: Sick leave accrual of 12 days/year.
• Medical, Dental Life Insurance: The city offers medical, dental & life insurance coverage. Employees currently pay a percentage of the medical premium. 
• Uniform Allowance: The City pays $1,200/yr
• P.O.S.T Certificate Pay: Additional 5% pay for Intermediate certificate & 5% for Advanced certificate. (Total 10% combined)
• Pay Day: Paid bi-weekly 
• Police Vehicle: Take home vehicle within 15 miles of depart

Out of State Candidates: We welcome out-of-state lateral police officer candidates. Upon hire, the incumbent will have six months to successfully complete the California POST certification process. The Depart. will subsidize travel & training expenses.

DEFINITION: Under general supervision, patrols an assigned area in the prevention of crime & enforcement of law and order; carries out special assignments related to departmental operations or law enforcement in general; conducts investigations; performs related work as assigned.

Police Officers work on rotating shifts and work a “4-10” schedule (four, ten-hour workdays). Officers are well-supported by the community & the department with a healthy equipment budget, opportunity for collateral assignments, and high-value professional development.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: This is a flex class.  Positions are typically budgeted at the higher level, Police Officer II but are under-filled at the Police Officer I level until the incumbent acquires the full range of knowledge, skills and abilities required of a journey level Police Officer.  The progression of a Police Officer I (entry level) to a Police Officer II (journey level) requires an evaluation of employee skill and performance levels by management. Police Officers are assigned to any of a number of functional areas within the Department on a rotating basis.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: See full job description for complete details

Patrol & Traffic Safety: Patrols an assigned area during an assigned shift and looks for indicators of possible criminal activity or threats to life and property; answers calls for police services; enforces City, county, and state laws; makes field contacts and completes forms; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, vehicle accidents, suspected homicides, and other criminal incidents.

As a Motor Officer, Patrols the City on a motorcycle or in a radar-equipped patrol unit; responds to calls related to traffic incidents and any other emergencies; observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions; assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws. 

Makes arrests as necessary; serves warrants and subpoenas; conducts searches and seizures involving people, vehicles and structures; interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogates suspects; gathers and preserves evidence; receives, searches, and books prisoners; fingerprints and transports prisoners; testifies and presents evidence in court.

Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders.

Writes reports and field notes; participates in staff development; attends briefings and training sessions; performs routine maintenance on assigned patrol vehicle, firearms, and other equipment.

Makes traffic stops and issues warnings, citations, or makes arrests as necessary; checks vehicles and observes vehicle occupants; investigates scenes of vehicle accidents, provides emergency medical care as necessary, directs traffic and arranges for clearing of roadway, interviews drivers and witnesses and prepares reports; directs traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.

Assists the public and answers questions; administers first aid and responds to calls for medical assistance; establishes and maintains good relationships with the general public.

Investigator: Coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gaming and narcotics violations.

Participates in all normal enforcement activities including enforcing local and State laws, issuing citations, making arrests, administering first aid, and transporting prisoners.

Performs undercover and surveillance activities; interviews victims, complainants, witnesses and suspects; collects, preserves, and maintains evidence and property related to suspected crimes; serves warrants and subpoenas.

Prepares investigative reports and case information; files criminal cases with the District Attorney’s Office and works with the District Attorney on case filings; provides testimony and evidence in court.

Answers questions from the public concerning local and State laws, procedures, and activities of the Department; develops and maintains good relationships with the public, including informants and contacts which may be helpful in criminal investigations.

Other Functions: As assigned, acts as training officer for new Police Officers; serves as field supervisor on individual calls requiring special attention; or conducts background investigations. 

When assigned as a Canine Officer, cares for, maintains and trains a police dog; conducts demonstrations and raises funds to maintain program.

As assigned, serves as the School Resources Officer; teaches a variety of drug resistance classes; assists with student discipline and counseling; ensures that school district policies and school rules are followed; maintains statistical data on assigned programs; fosters a positive relationship between law enforcement, students and school staff.

May be assigned to direct, supervise and coordinate police officers when a supervisor is not available; assists in briefing and training new personnel; may be assigned to direct, train and coordinate police cadets, police explorers and/or volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

Education and/or Experience: Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance.  Example combinations include graduation from high school or equivalent and successful completion of a POST certified basic academy.  One year of current full-time experience as a police officer in a California public agency is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Working knowledge of modern practices and techniques of law enforcement, patrol, investigation, public relations, and report writing; Vehicle and Penal Codes; laws of arrest; search and seizure; rules of evidence; legal rights of citizens; court procedures.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places; establish and maintain effective relation­ships with the community; use and care of firearms and small equipment; think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately; represent the City in a variety of meetings; learn, understand and interpret laws and regulations; prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports; respond to emergency and problem situations in an effective manner; understand, explain and apply policies and procedures; make clear and concise radio transmissions; understand and follow verbal and written directions; deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions; work independently and demonstrate initiative; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; meet the established physical requirements; meet Police Officer requirements contained in the California State Government Code.

Special Requirements: Possession of a Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record; 

Possession of a P.O.S.T Basic Certificate, within two years of appointment; Meet requirements or standards mandated by the California Government Code for a Peace Officer; Receive satisfactory results from a background investigation, physical and psychological examination, drug screening and administrative screening which meet the established qualification standards.

PHYSICAL PROFILE:   See full job description for complete details

CHARACTERSTICS: Positions in this category are actively and principally engaged in the enforcement of public laws or in protecting the public from physical harm and danger. The positions typically included in this category are peace officers and firefighters, who’s every day duties, place high priority and demands on top physical fitness and agility.

OTHER FACTORS: Moderate to Heavy Lifting; Climbing; Reaching, Walking; Standing; Sitting: Agility; Color Vision; Distance Vision; Temperature fluctuations; Potential inhalation or contact with fumes, smoke etc.; 

Work Environment – Outdoors:  Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions.

Work Environment – Moving Objects:  Ability to work around moving objects, machinery or vehicles.

Work Environment – Surfaces:  Ability to walk on slippery or uneven surfaces

Heights:  Ability to work on surfaces above 20 feet.