Police Officer

City of Desert Hot Springs; Desert Hot Springs (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Longevity pay up to 7.5%

POST Certificate/Education pay up to 1

Assignment Pay 5%

Traffic Accident Investigator pay up</

Bilingual pay up to 5%

Job summary

City of Desert Hot Springs seeks a Police Officer to enforce laws, patrol streets, control traffic, and support public safety. The role includes investigating incidents, writing detailed reports, and testifying in court as needed.

Applicants must be 21+, possess a HS diploma or GED, maintain POST certification, and have a valid CA driver’s license. A POST certificate and college degree are highly desirable. Physical and background checks are required.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years old at time of appointment.
• Must possess a high school diploma, GED or CHSPE equivalent.
• Must maintain P.O.S.T. police officer certification.
• College level coursework highly desirable.
• Graduation from an accredited California Law Enforcement Academy.
• Ability to obtain basic POST certificate.
• Record free of felony convictions or misdemeanors involving moral turpitude.
• Valid California driver's license with good driving record.

Responsibilities

• Patrol and enforce laws to protect persons and property.
• Control traffic and enforce state/local regulations.
• Investigate accidents and prepare reports.
• Respond to radio messages and scenes of crime or disorder.
• Make arrests and issue citations.
• Direct traffic and inspect beverage/entertainment venues.
• Intervene in disputes to maintain public order.
• Appear in court to testify and transport prisoners.
• Obtain and preserve evidence at crime scenes.

Skills

Written reports

Communication

Observation

Decision making

Education

High school diploma

GED or CHSPE

POST certification

College coursework desirable (AA/BA)

POST Academy graduation

Job description

Additional Pay Incentives:

• Longevity pay up to 7.5%
• POST Certificate/Education pay up to 10%
• Assignment Pay 5%
• Traffic Accident Investigator pay up to 5%
• Bilingual pay up to 5%

Performs a variety of duties in the enforcement of laws, the protection of persons and property, and the prevention of crimes; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Police Department.

• Operates motorized equipment in patrolling or walks an assigned area for the prevention of crime and the enforcement of laws and regulations.
• Responds to radio messages or telephone instructions and appears at scenes of crime or disorder.
• Investigates and prepares reports on accidents, offenses and damage to property.
• Receives and gives direction and information
• Makes arrests
• Issues citations
• Gives verbal warnings
• Prepares reports on arrests and property impounded
• Directs traffic
• Inspects establishments providing alcoholic beverages and entertainment.
• Intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order.
• Appears in court to give testimony as the arresting officer, transports prisoners.
• Serves subpoenas and warrants; participates in police training conferences and programs.
• Observes and reports conditions conducive to crime or which might endanger public safety.
• Writes case reports and a log of activities
• When assigned, obtains and preserves physical evidence at crime scenes, takes crime scene photographs.
• Searches for, dusts and lifts latent fingerprints.
• Prepares physical evidence for court
• When assigned, under close supervision, performs duties including assisting in investigations of violations of laws, the collection and preservation of evidence, the apprehension and arrest of law violators, use of criminal records, making reports of cases handled and action taken.
• Interrogates victims, witnesses and suspects
• Appears in court to present evidence, and otherwise assists in criminal investigations.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control and investigation;
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure, and preservation;
• Laws governing the apprehension, arrest and custody of persons accused of felonies and misdemeanors;
• Use of firearms and other modern police equipment;
• Operational characteristics of police equipment and tools; and
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Understand and apply departmental policies, rules and instruction; laws, regulation and police literature;
• Analyze situations and adopt a quick , effective and reasonable course of action
• Write clear and accurate reports
• Understand and follow written and verbal directions
• Learn the use and care of automobiles, equipment and firearms
• Observe and remember places, names, faces and details of incidents
• Communicate effectively with people from a variety of socio economic backgrounds
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and to demonstrate aptitude for law enforcement work
• Learn, interpret and enforce City and State laws, codes and ordinances;
• Work independently in the absence of supervision;
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities;
• Successfully pass a thorough background investigation and physical including drug test

Any combination of education and /or experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills necessary to satisfactory perform the job would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Must be 21 years old at time of appointment

Must possess a high school diploma, GED or CHSPE equivalent (average score of 45 with no score below 35)

Must maintain P.O.S.T. police officer certification

College level coursework such as an associates or bachelor's degree (Highly Desirable)

Graduation from an accredited California Law Enforcement Academy

Ability to obtain basic POST certificate

Record must be free of any felony convictions and be free from any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude

Valid California driver's license with a good driving record at time of appointment; and

Must meet P.O.S.T citizenship requirements

Lateral Requirements

• Possession of a P.O.S.T. Basic certificate
• Successful completion of a P.O.S.T. approved Field Training Program
• Currently employed as a full-time, non-probationary Police Officer in good standing with a California Law Enforcement Agency

Working Conditions

Environmental Conditions:

Exposure to potentially hostile environments. May be exposed to dust, noise, machinery, moving objects and other vehicles while in the field; may work unusual and prolonged work schedule during emergencies, seasonally-caused circumstances, special assignments may require work in varying climate and temperature conditions.

Physical Conditions:

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, running, standing, sitting or walking for prolonged periods of time; the ability to discharge a firearm.