Lateral Police Officer & Academy Graduate

California San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit; California; On-site; USD 100,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring incentive

Job summary

BART Police Department seeks experienced and academy graduates to join its police force, serving across the San Francisco Bay Area’s transit system. The role emphasizes public service, ethical policing, and community engagement while upholding safety and law enforcement standards.

Prospective officers must have CA POST credentials and complete probation with field training. Lateral transfers bring prior sworn experience to a dynamic, regional policing environment.

Qualifications

• Valid California POST Basic Certificate and prior experience as a full-time sworn Peace Officer in California.
• Out-of-state sworn officers must obtain a CA POST Basic Certificate and California State Driver’s License within a specified time.
• Police Academy Graduates must possess a CA POST-mandated Basic Academy certificate.

Responsibilities

• Protect life and property across BART’s transit system.
• Serve in a fast-paced, highly visible environment requiring sound judgment and strong community engagement.
• Lateral officers apply previous training and experience to transit policing.
• Complete one-year probation with Field Training and ongoing supervision.

Skills

Public service

Interpersonal skills

Decision making

Team collaboration

Legal knowledge

Report writing

Education

California POST certificate

POST Academy certificate

Job description

We’re offering a $15,000 hiring incentive, competitive compensation, exceptional benefits, diverse career paths, and the opportunity to make a measurable impact through innovative, community-focused policing.

Learn more about the BART Police Department at JOINBARTPD.COM.

Salary Information

This position is represented by BART Police Officers Association Employees (BPOA).

Academy Graduate (while in Field Training)

$ 8,996.14/Monthly (778/Step 21)

Lateral Police Officer

$ 12,699.83/Monthly (778/Step 5)

Who May Apply

All current BART employees and qualified individuals who are not yet BART employees.

Days Off

As assigned. Must be able to work various shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime.

Reports To

Police Sergeant or Lieutenant.

Department

BART Police Department is a progressive agency and has been on the forefront – and in some cases the model approach to training in the areas of fair and impartial policing, bias-based policing, crisis intervention, cultural competence training, and de-escalation training. The mission of the BART Police Department is to ensure a safe environment within our transit system, reduce crime through a highly visible police presence, and proactive enforcement of the law, and to promote public confidence by working in partnership with our stakeholders and the communities we serve.

Current Assignment

Police Officers with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Police Department serve a vital role in protecting life and property across one of the nation’s largest and most complex public transit systems. Officers are assigned throughout BART’s multi-county service area and work in a fast-paced, highly visible environment that demands sound judgment, adaptability, and strong community engagement skills.

Experienced sworn Police Officers (Laterals) bring valuable skills and perspective to BART PD’s mission. Lateral officers are expected to quickly adapt to transit policing operations, applying their previous training and experience while embracing the distinct challenges and opportunities of regional transit law enforcement.

Police Academy Graduates are welcomed as entry-level officers and will receive structured field training and ongoing supervision. Incumbents are encouraged to learn a variety of law enforcement functional areas and techniques while demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to public service.

The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following areas, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:

• A strong commitment to public service and ethical policing
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills necessary to serve a diverse ridership, workforce, and partner agencies
• The ability to analyze situations and make rapid, sound, and independent decisions within legal and procedural guidelines
• The capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a regional transit law enforcement environment
• The ability to interpret and apply complex laws, procedures, and departmental policies
• Proven skill in maintaining accurate records and preparing clear, concise, and professional reports

NOTE: All lateral officers and police academy graduates must successfully complete a one-year probationary period from the date of hire, including successful completion of the Field Training Program.

Upon completion of probation and field training, patrol shift assignments are made based on seniority. Officers may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Lateral Peace Officers must possess a valid California POST Basic Certificate and be currently or previously employed as a full-time sworn salaried Peace Officer in the State of California.

Note: Out of state sworn Peace Officers will be required to obtain a CA POST Basic Certificate and California State Driver’s License within a specified time.

Police Academy Graduates must possess a valid Certificate of Completion from a CA POST-mandated Basic Academy (certificate must be attached to the application).

Application & Selection Process

The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as requested and/or required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U. S.; pass a pre-employment medical examination which includes a drug and alcohol screen, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include an extensive background check and successful completion of a polygraph exam. (Does not apply to current full-time BART Police Department employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).

If selected to proceed in the background investigative phase of the process, you will be asked to provide some essential documents. The following are some of the documents you may be asked to provide naturalization/citizenship papers, birth certificates, school transcripts, proof of selective service (men only), DMV driving history documents, proof of automobile insurance, marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable), and POST certificates (if applicable).

The selection process for this position will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.