Entry - Level Transit Police Officer

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is seeking an armed, sworn Public Safety Officer to patrol Metro facilities and vehicles in Los Angeles County. The position enforces laws and fares, responds to emergencies, and collaborates with internal divisions to ensure safety and security.

Requirements include a high school diploma or GED and a POST-certified Academy or equivalent, plus a valid California Driver License.

Qualifications

• Be a high school graduate or GED completed.
• Pass background, drug and fitness requirements for safety-sensitive role.
• Must possess a valid California Driver License and clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas by vehicle or on foot to protect life and property.
• Respond to calls, enforce applicable laws, and deter crime.
• Gather evidence, interview victims and witnesses, and prepare reports.
• Present testimony in court and coordinate with other agencies as needed.
• Enforce fare rules and code of conduct; transport prisoners when required.

Skills

Attention to detail

Situational awareness

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Education

High school diploma or GED

POST-certified Police Academy or equivalent

Job description

Enforces laws and ordinances, protects life and property, provides information and assistance to the public, conducts criminal investigations, crime prevention and suppression; performs other public safety related duties as assigned, and collaborates with personnel assigned to other divisions and units within the Department and within the agency to ensure the vision, mission, and objectives of the Los Angeles Metro and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) are met. This is an armed, sworn classification.

• Sets an example for, and re-enforces, high standards of leadership, professionalism, collaboration, employee wellness and safety, respect for members of the public and fellow employees, accountability, and adherence to organizational values
• Patrols a designated area in a radio vehicle, on foot, or on a fixed post, to protect life and property, prevent and deter crime
• Responds to suspicious activities and answers emergency calls for services
• Enforces agency, city, county codes, or state and federal laws and ordinances.
• Assists in settling disputes, calms angry patrons, and provides crowd direction and control
• Prepares presentations to community and employee groups regarding personal safety and criminal activities
• Gathers evidence, interviews victims, witnesses and suspects from incident scenes and collects documents, and prepares evidence for court
• Prepares affidavits for arrest and/or search warrants, files criminal complaints, and coordinates investigative activities with other law enforcement agencies
• Transports prisoners to booking facilities and processes them
• Maintains accurate records and writes incident and crime reports
• Works with investigative and legal personnel and presents testimony in court
• Enforces fares and code of conduct regulations
• Serves warrants and subpoenas

May be required to perform other related job duties

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Be a high school graduate, or
• Pass the General Education Development (GED) test or other high school equivalency test approved by the CDE, or
• Have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or approved institution (GC 1031)

Experience

• None Required; One year of relevant experience in a related field such as security, law enforcement, or public safety is preferred

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver License and have a satisfactory driving record
• Candidates need to be 20 ½ to apply and attend the academy and need to be 21 at the time of swearing in (GC 1031.4)
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law and be free from disqualifying felony convictions (GC 1029)
• Must pass enhanced background investigation, psychological evaluation, and medical examination.
• Positions in this job classification are considered safety-sensitive and subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing, under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations

Training

• Successfully completes all required academic, physical, and practical training at a P.O.S.T.-certified Police Academy
• Participates in the Field Training Officer (FTO) program and applied learned skills in real-world assignments under supervision

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts
• Techniques for dealing with varied groups of people
• Standard record keeping and report writing procedures and techniques
• Recruiting theories, principles and practices
• Principles, techniques and methods used in the police background investigation process
• Research and report preparation methods
• Basic theories, principles, and practices of training program development

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and taking immediate action as necessary
• Observing and reporting
• Thinking critically and making sound decisions
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Planning and facilitating training sessions

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Observe and accurately recall places, names, faces and incidents
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Interpret and apply complex laws, procedures and policies
• Communicate via two-way radio effectively using standard law enforcement radio codes
• Drive a motor vehicle safely
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those in the course of work
• Write accurate reports of incidents
• Handle firearms in a safe and proper manner
• Use verbal and tactical strategies to de-escalate situation
• Lift and carry equipment and boxes weighing up to 50 pounds
• Read, write, speak, and understand English
• Interpret and apply rules, regulations, general orders and policies
• Maintain confidentiality
• Exercise independent judgement

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried