LATERAL - SENIOR TRANSIT POLICE OFFICER

Los Angeles Metro; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Angeles Metro is looking for a qualified Peace Officer to enhance public safety within LA County. This role involves conducting patrol operations, responding to emergencies, enforcing laws, and engaging with the community on safety protocols. The ideal candidate possesses a background in law enforcement and a valid California driver's license.

The position requires strong communication skills, the ability to manage conflicts, and autonomy in executing tasks. Join us in our mission to provide a world-class transportation system while ensuring a safe environment.

Qualifications

• Three years of relevant experience in security, law enforcement, or public safety.
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver License and maintain a satisfactory driving record.
• Must remain firearm qualified and pass a background check.

Responsibilities

• Conduct patrol operations focusing on crime prevention.
• Respond to emergency calls and enforce laws.
• Prepare detailed incident and crime reports.

Skills

Analyzing situations

Communicating effectively

Planning and facilitating training sessions

Observing and reporting

Education

High school graduate or equivalent

Two-year, four-year, or advanced degree

Job description

Metro’s mission is to provide a world‑class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Under limited supervision, enforces applicable laws and ordinances to protect life and property; provides information and assistance to the public; conducts criminal investigations and participates in crime prevention and suppression activities; performs other public‑safety related duties as assigned independently with minimal supervision, and works collaboratively with personnel across divisions and units to support daily operations and 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. May be assigned to training functions depending on the needs of the department. Appointment to training functions will provide a differential at the discretion of management.

Examples of Duties

• Conduct advanced patrol operations in assigned areas, focusing on crime prevention, public safety, and community trust‑building
• Respond to suspicious activity and emergency calls, independently assessing situations and taking appropriate enforcement or safety actions
• Enforce applicable agency, city, county, state, and federal laws and ordinances
• Manage and resolve conflicts, calm volatile situations, and provide crowd direction and control during incidents and events
• Conduct community outreach and deliver presentations to community and employee groups on safety, crime prevention, and enforcement initiatives
• Conduct complex evidence collection and documentation at incident scenes; interview victims, witnesses, and suspects; and prepare evidence for court
• Coordinate investigative activities with investigative and legal personnel, and provide testimony in court as required
• Lead enforcement of fare compliance and conduct regulations, including enforcement operations and follow‑up investigations
• Prepare affidavits for arrest and/or search warrants, file criminal complaints, and coordinate with other law‑enforcement agencies on investigative matters
• Transport and process prisoners to booking facilities, ensuring compliance with custody procedures and safety protocols
• Maintain accurate records and prepare detailed incident and crime reports, ensuring documentation meets legal and departmental standards
• Serve warrants and subpoenas in accordance with agency procedures and legal requirements
• Assist in the planning, development, and delivery of training programs aligned with Metro strategic goals and applicable policies and regulations
• Provide operational support and training assistance to new officers, ensuring they meet performance expectations and are prepared for field assignments
• Deliver refresher and compliance training to existing personnel to maintain operational readiness and regulatory compliance
• Support the assessment and tracking of trainee performance, providing constructive feedback to enhance skills and professional development
• Provide mentorship and technical support to officers, contributing to improved performance and operational consistency

Minimum Qualifications

May be required to perform other related job duties.

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

• Three years of relevant experience in a related field such as security, law enforcement, or public safety is preferred.

Certifications / Licenses / Special Requirements

• Lateral Peace Officers must possess a valid California POST Basic Certificate and be currently or previously employed as a full‑time salaried Peace Officer in the State of California.
• 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 and must be currently employed as a full‑time salaried Peace Officer in the United States.
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver License and have a satisfactory driving record.
• Must remain firearm qualified.
• 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.

Essential Knowledge

• Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts
• Techniques for dealing with varied groups of people
• Standard record keeping and report writing procedures and techniques
• Research and report preparation methods
• 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

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

Ability to

• Observe and accurately recall places, names, faces and incidents
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Interpret and apply complex laws, procedures and policies
• Use two‑way radio communication equipment effectively
• Drive a motor vehicle safely
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Maintain accurate records and prepare clear, concise and competent reports
• 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
• Interpret and apply rules, regulations, general orders and policies
• Maintain confidentiality
• Exercise independent judgement
• Provide work direction and guidance to junior staff members
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

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 out.

Working Conditions

• High noise environment
• Exposure to hostile and armed criminal suspects
• Exposure to physical and verbal abuse by clients/customers and/or general public
• Exposure to outdoor weather including extreme heat, cold, dampness and/or humidity
• Work irregular hours, split shifts, weekends, holidays, or 24‑hour‑a‑day on‑call assignments
• Local travel

Physical Effort Required

• Lifting and carrying equipment or objects weighing up to 50 pounds
• Using vision and hearing to observe surroundings, identify hazards, and respond to auditory signals or verbal commands
• Standing
• Walking
• Crawling, crouching, squatting, stooping and/or kneeling
• Climbing (e.g., ladders, scaffolds, stairs, poles, into vehicles, etc.)
• Pushing and/or pulling
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.