Police Officer

Under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant, to perform law enforcement, crime prevention, traffic control, and crime investigation activities; to perform assigned, specialized law enforcement duties; to assist the public in a variety of ways; and to do related work as required.

Police Officer is the full-time, experienced and trained, intermediate working level class for City law enforcement officers. Incumbents may rotate through various jobs and are expected to perform the full range of Police Officer law enforcement assignments. Duties may include specialized assignments such as, but not limited to, field training officer, criminal investigation, narcotics enforcement, public safety presentations, delinquency prevention, and other assignments. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant, and job assignments are typically performed with minimal guidance and supervision with the expectations that incumbents have the ability to choose among alternatives in completing tasks. Work is typically performed in a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations which may involve exposure to potential personal danger. Some moderate to heavy physical labor and activity may be needed in certain situations. Outdoor work may include inclement weather. Assignments are occasionally performed in unpleasant or risky conditions.

In addition to other City requirements, any offer of employment for a Police Officer is conditional upon the candidate’s successful completion of a background check, polygraph examination and extensive psychological testing.

***During this recruitment, if the department determines it is in the best interest of public safety, the department may select a qualified candidate from this pool to appoint a temporary or on-call Reserve Police Officer.

Patrols assigned areas in an automobile and on foot, checking for crime and dangerous conditions; enforces State and local laws and traffic ordinances; responds to calls from the public regarding crimes, preservation of the peace, and protection of life and property; pursues and apprehends suspects; conducts initial and follow-up investigations of crimes; interviews witnesses and victims of crimes and others who may have information relating to the whereabouts of suspects; conducts undercover investigations; assists and cooperates with other law enforcement and public safety agencies; serves warrants and makes arrests; prepares reports of incidents and investigations; searches crime scenes for physical evidence such as fingerprints, footprints, and tire marks; photographs crime scenes; transports, books, and has responsibility for the care and custody of detained persons; issues traffic citations and performs traffic control work; performs accident investigations; may serve as field training officer or officer-in-charge; may perform investigations or other specialized law enforcement work as assigned; performs a wide range of law enforcement and community assistance duties, including public safety education.

• Safe work practices.
• Human motivation and behavior.
• Functions of a local law enforcement agency.
• Modern law enforcement methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, and investigation.
• Laws and court decisions affecting the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons accused of felonies and misdemeanors.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation and presentation of evidence in court.
• Basic criminal investigation procedures and techniques, including crime scene investigation, interrogation, fingerprinting, and booking.
• A wide variety of law enforcement work.
• Emergency vehicle operation.
• Use and care of firearms.
• Report writing.

• Perform a wide range of law enforcement assignments, including some specialized work.
• Understand, interpret, and apply State and local laws and Department policies.
• React quickly and calmly in emergency situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Drive vehicle in emergency situations.
• Perform a variety of public safety duties involving strenuous physical activity, ie. pursuing/restraining suspects, lifting injured persons.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Use firearms safely and skillfully.
• Obtain information through interview, interrogation, and observation.
• Write clear and accurate reports.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public while performing law enforcement functions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Understand and follow oral and/or written instructions, policies and procedures.
• Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using software applications appropriate to assigned tasks; as applicable.
• Use logical thinking and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written directions or oral instructions.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under pressure of deadlines and changing priorities.
• Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Act with integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

High School diploma or GED required. Graduation from POST Academy required. Any combination of training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities would be graduation from the POST academy and current experience working as a California peace officer.