Experienced Police Officer (Lateral)

City of Escondido; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Escondido is seeking an Experienced Police Officer (Lateral) to patrol assigned areas, enforce laws, and conduct investigations. The role requires a Basic POST Certificate and a background check, with opportunities to testify in court and provide community safety support.

Eligible candidates must be a high school graduate or equivalent, have one year of California enforcement experience, and be authorized to work in the United States.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; one year of California enforcement experience.
• Possession of Basic POST Certificate.
• Authorized to work in the United States; background check will be conducted.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas by car, bike, motorcycle or on foot.
• Investigate crimes, deaths, accidents and perform follow-up investigations.
• Enforce traffic laws, direct traffic, and issue citations as needed.
• Submit complete written reports on all cases investigated.
• Testify in court and serve warrants and subpoenas.
• Provide first aid in emergencies and assist the community.

Skills

Report writing

Communication

Crisis management

Customer service

Cultural awareness

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Basic POST Certificate

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

Testing Dates:

Physical Agility/PIQ: Saturday, November 14, 2026

Oral Interviews: Monday, November 30, 2026

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of an Experienced Police Officer (Lateral) in our Police Department. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website. Check out the Escondido Police Department here .

Under general supervision, patrols a beat or sector; enforces laws and ordinances and makes arrests; protects life and property and performs the necessary related tasks to fulfill these objectives; performs related duties as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned areas by car, bike, motorcycle or on foot.
• Answers calls for assistance, including investigation of crimes, deaths; accidents and injuries; Conducts initial and follow-up investigations.
• Enforces, controls and directs traffic when appropriate.
• Stops drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of the law and enforces traffic violations; warns drivers against illegal practices.
• Performs arrests for all criminal violations of law.
• Testifies in court in connection with the prosecution of offenders.
• Serves warrants and subpoenas.
• Administers first aid in emergency cases.
• Answers complaints on such problems as domestic disturbances, obnoxious animals, health code and local ordinance violations.
• Investigates suspicious circumstances.
• Takes custody of stolen, lost or found property and evidence.
• Performs crowd control, parade or riot work.
• Takes crime prevention measures and assists in controlling problems of juvenile delinquency; Performs detective work in criminal investigation and identification work.
• Transports prisoners to be booked at county jail.
• Furnishes information and directions to the public.
• Submits complete written reports on all cases investigated.
• Participates in required training courses and programs.
• Supervision may be exercised over non-sworn positions.
• Provides vacation and temporary relief as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of

• The principles, methods, materials, equipment, and techniques of peace officers.
• Crime scene procedures.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information on peace officers.
• State and federal statutes and case law covering contraband, drugs, and the use of physical evidence in court, the rules of criminal procedures concerning time limits, discovery, evidence, and expert witnesses.
• Police Department policies, procedures, rules, regulations and unit functions.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Customer service principles and techniques.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Ability To

• Prepare clear and concise police reports.
• Interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Analyze emergency situations and adopt quick, reasonable and effective courses of action.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Lift and move objects of moderate to heavy weight.
• Maintain a calm and professional demeanor at all times.
• Participate in the high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing software applications.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and Maintain effective working relationships with other employees, staff, vendors and the public.
• Type and/or enter data at 30 net words per minute.

Minimum Requirements

• Fingerprinted and a search made of local, state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
• Not convicted of a felony by any State or Federal Government of a crime including imprisonment in a Federal or State prison.
• Good moral character as determined by a polygraph examination and a thorough background investigation as prescribed in Specification #1, Personal History Statement.
• Successfully complete requirements of medical and psychological evaluation.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Must not be less than 21 years of age at time of appointment.

Lateral Entry

High school graduate or equivalent. Must have one year (full-time equivalent) of experience with a California Enforcement Department and possess a Basic POST Certificate. Per POST Commission Regulation 1008 (DOC), requalification of Regular Basic Course (RBC) training (POST Requalification Course) is required if:Not employed in a position that requires the RBC within three years of successful course completion,RBC was successfully completed and there subsequently was a three year or longer break in service from a position that requires the RBC.The three year period will be determined from last date of employment as a California Peace Officer, or from date of last completion of a basic course, or from date of last issuance of a basic course waiver by POST, whichever date is most recent.Written test may be waived.

Education/Experience

High school graduate or equivalent. Must have one year (full-time equivalent) of experience with a California Enforcement Department and possess a Basic POST Certificate. Per POST Commission Regulation 1008 (DOC), requalification of Regular Basic Course (RBC) training (POST Requalification Course) is required if:Not employed in a position that requires the RBC within three years of successful course completion,RBC was successfully completed and there subsequently was a three year or longer break in service from a position that requires the RBC. The three year period will be determined from last date of employment as a California Peace Officer, or from date of last completion of a basic course, or from date of last issuance of a basic course waiver by POST, whichever date is most recent. Written test may be waived.

License Or Certificate

Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license at time of appointment.

POST REGULATIONS

The Following Are Requirements According To POST Regulations

SPECIFICATION #1

Personal History Statement

This requirement supplements Section 1002 of the POST Commission Regulations. A personal history investigation must be conducted of each recruit employed pursuant to Part 4 of Title 4