Lateral Police Officer

Pomona Police Department; Pomona (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus $25,000

5% salary range increase

Job summary

The Pomona Police Department is recruiting current peace officers with a law enforcement background or academy graduates. After orientation and training, officers will perform general police duties and other assigned responsibilities to serve the community.

Pomona offers competitive wages and a 5% salary range increase effective October 1, 2026. Lateral hires receive a $25,000 signing bonus and must have a POST certificate or qualify for one.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalency.
• Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license.
• Lateral applicants must be currently employed and in good standing with a CA LEA.
• Academy graduates must have POST certification within the last year.

Responsibilities

• Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order and enforce laws.
• Check buildings for physical security and respond to calls and incidents.
• Collect, process, photograph and present evidence and conduct investigations.
• Enforce traffic laws; direct traffic at events and emergencies.
• Cooperate with other law enforcement agencies on investigations.
• Maintain contact with citizens and participate in crime prevention education.

Skills

Office software

Motor vehicle operation

Self defense tactics

First aid

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Join a progressive law enforcement family! The Pomona Police Department is recruiting current peace officers with a law enforcement agency or recent academy graduates. Following an orientation and five-phase training program, officers will perform general police duties and other responsibilities as assigned. The Pomona Police Department offers a challenging career for individuals dedicated to serving and protecting the community.

Pomona is the 5th largest city in Los Angeles County. Throughout their career, a police officer may have the opportunity to work patrol, investigations, traffic, multi agency task forces, canine, aviation, and a variety of other teams/assignments. Pomona has its own Type 1 jail facility (staffed by non-sworn jailers) and its own firing range. Due to recent and anticipated retirements, the department has several vacancies, making this an excellent time to lateral over to the Pomona PD family.

The City of Pomona is proud to announce competitive wages, including a 5% salary range increase effective October 1, 2026.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Pomona Police Department has a complement of 169 sworn personnel positions and 112 professional (non-sworn) positions, operating out of a centrally located facility adjacent to the Pomona Civic Center. The Department offers the community comprehensive and progressive police protection.

Pomona Police Officers perform a variety of duties in the enforcement of laws and the prevention of crimes; control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; and perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Department.

Lateral Police Officer $25,000 Signing Bonus:

Candidates hired by the City of Pomona as a Lateral Police Officer are eligible to receive a signing bonus of $25,000. If the candidate has applied for the position of Lateral Police Officer, they must possess or qualify for a Basic POST certificate. Refer to Policy for details: Lateral Police Officer Bonus Pay Policy Please note the Policy Effective Date.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR ALL APPLICANTS

Applicants must be a minimum of 20 1/2 years of age at time of applying.

Graduation from high school of GED equivalency.

Must possess a valid California Class "C" driver's license.

LATERAL APPLICANTS

Must be currently employed and in good standing with a California law enforcement agency. Must possess a Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate. Certificate must be attached to application.

ACADEMY GRADUATES

Completion of POST approved academy within the last year (12 months). Certificate must be attached to application.

OUT OF STATE LATERAL APPLICANTS

Must possess a valid state license of place of residency. Applicant must obtain California Class C driver's license after meeting residency requirements. Out of State waiver issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training must be submitted with application. Must be currently employed and in good standing with a law enforcement agency of the United States.

Knowledge of:

Police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques. Criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the seizure and preservation of evidence. Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory. First aid principles, practices and techniques. Self defense tactics. Interviewing and interrogation techniques. Customer service needs and delivery. Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to:

• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places. Use, maintain proficiency and properly care for firearms and other defensive weapons, including but not limited to side-arms, patrol rifle, shotgun, and less lethal weapons. Understand, interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct written reports. Analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine and take emergency action. Identify potential crime situations or traffic hazards and take preventive action. Meet the first aid requirement as prescribed by the State of California and to administer first aid. Learn the operation of standard equipment and facilities required in the performance of assigned tasks. Meet the physical requirements established by the Department. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
• Check buildings for physical security.
• Respond to general public service calls and complaints including domestic and public disturbances, automobile accidents, robberies, and related misdemeanor and felony incidents.
• Collect, process, photograph and present evidence, including but not limited to fingerprints, blood and related physical evidence.
• Enforce traffic laws and ordinances; check speed with radar; issue warnings and citations.
• Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Conduct traffic accident analyses; conduct investigations of serious injury and fatal traffic accidents.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public.
• Take an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention.
• Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed and unusua