Police Officer (Academy Attendee/Graduate/Lateral)

Bell Gardens Police Department; Bell Gardens (CA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bell Gardens Police Department is seeking Police Officers at the lateral, academy attendee/graduate, or trainee levels to serve the Bell Gardens community. The Department values professionalism, integrity, and public service as core standards.

Open positions include patrol, K-9, investigations, and specialty units, with a structured career path. Competitive monthly salaries reflect POST certification and academy status, with shift rotations and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Must be a current non-probationary Police Officer with California POST certification (lateral).
• Applicants for Academy Attendee/Graduate must be enrolled or graduated from a POST-certified academy.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas; enforce laws and respond to calls.
• Conduct investigations and handle evidence; prepare reports for court.

Skills

Public service orientation

Integrity

Professionalism

Job description

The City of Bell Gardens Police Department (BGPD) is seeking highly motivated and public service-oriented individuals for Police Officer (Academy Attendee/Graduate/Lateral).

The City of Bell Gardens Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of service to the community, while working with the residents and its members, demonstrating professionalism, integrity and accountability.

The Bell Gardens Police Department has a variety of exciting assignments including:

• Patrol
• K-9
• Bicycle Detail
• Motor Detail
• Special Operations Team
• General Investigations Detective
• Special Investigations Detective
• Field Training Officer

This position is open to those who qualify and meet BGPD standards for Police Officer Lateral OR Police Academy Attendee/Graduate.

POLICE OFFICER - GENERAL POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, patrols assigned areas in the prevention of crime and enforcement of law and order; carries out special assignments related to departmental operations or law enforcement in general; conducts investigations; and performs related duties as assigned.

POLICE OFFICER LATERAL ENTRY:

Must be a current non-probationary Police Officer with a current State of California P.O.S.T. certificate. The monthly salary range for Police Officer is $7,529 - $9,152. The probationary period for Police Officer is 12 months.

POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATE / ATTENDEE:

Applicants must be current enrollees or graduates of a California POST certified academy. Applicants must submit proof of graduation or enrollment at the time of hiring. Academy attendees may be hired on as Police Officer Trainee and paid $3,617 per month. After meeting all department, state-mandated and academy requirements, including graduation from the Police Academy, the Police Trainee may be sworn in as a Police Officer and assume the full duties, starting salary ($7,529 per month) and benefits of that position.

WORK SCHEDULE

Full time position. Must be willing to work day, swing, graveyard and rotating shifts, as well as holidays and weekends.

Police Academy Attendee/Graduate/Trainee – While enrolled in the Police Basic Academy an incumbent must:

• Participate for successful completion in a prescribed law enforcement officer training program for entry level Police Officer.
• Maintain standards of mental and physical fitness throughout the training program
• Maintain acceptable class standing and adhere to professional conduct

Sworn Police Officer / Lateral – Essential duties include:

• Patrols in a vehicle or on foot, an assigned area during an assigned shift and looks for indicators of possible criminal activity or threats to life and property; answers calls for police services; enforces City, county and state laws; makes field contacts and completes forms; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, vehicle accidents, suspected homicides, and other criminal incidents
• As a Motor Officer, patrols the City on a motorcycle or in a radar-equipped patrol unit; responds to calls related to traffic incidents and any other emergencies; observes; monitors; and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions; assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws.
• Makes arrests as necessary; serves warrants and subpoenas; interviews victims, complaints, and witnesses; interrogates suspects; gathers and preserves evidence; receives, searches and books prisoners; fingerprints and transports prisoners; testifies and presents evidence in court.
• Contacts and cooperates with the other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders.
• Writes reports and field notes; participates in staff development; attends briefings and training sessions; performs routine maintenance on assigned patrol vehicle, firearms, and other equipment.
• Makes traffic stops and issues warnings, citations, or makes arrests as necessary; checks vehicles and observes vehicle occupants; investigates scenes of vehicle accidents; provides emergency medical care as necessary, directs traffic and arranges for clearing of roadway, interviews drivers and witnesses and prepares reports; directs traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Assists the public and answers questions; administers first aid and responds to calls for medical assistance; establishes and maintain good relationships with the general public.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: 1) Patrol and Traffic Safety; 2) Investigations; 3) School Resources; 4) Neighborhood Watch Officer. Other functions may be assigned such as acting as a training officer for new Police Officers, serving as field supervisor on individual calls requiring special attention, and conducting background investigations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Modern practices and techniques of: law enforcement, patrol, investigation, public relations, report writing, vehicle penal codes, laws of arrest, rules of evidence, legal rights of citizens, and court procedures.

Skills to: Prioritize and multi-task; write clear and concise reports; and think critically and perform analyses while in the course of duties.

Ability to: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places; establish and maintain effective relationships with the community; use and care of firearms and small equipment; think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situati