Police Officer - Entry

Santa Barbara Police Department; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring bonus

Job summary

The City of Santa Barbara Police Department is hiring for an entry-level Police Officer. You will attend a POST-certified academy to learn laws, procedures, and field duties, then be promoted to Police Officer upon successful completion.

Applicants must meet basic education, licensing, and physical standards and may pursue language and specialty qualifications. Starting pay is provided for academy training with an option for a signing bonus; post-academy earnings increase with graduation and

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of law enforcement procedures and report writing.
• Ability to learn to follow written and oral directions and established police procedures.
• Excellent health and ability to meet physical and psychological standards.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned area by car, motorcycle, or on foot, enforcing laws.
• Issue warnings and citations for violations and respond to calls for service.
• Maintain radio contact with communications center and conduct preliminary investigations.
• Testify in court and apprehend suspects when required.

Skills

Physical fitness

Legal knowledge

Oral and written communication

Spanish speaking (desirable)

Education

High school graduation or equivalent

Job description

PAY RATES:

Police Officer Entry Level: (during the academy) $49.1104 hourly, $102,149 Annually

Plus Hiring Bonus up to $10,000

Successful Police Academy Graduates: $54.35 - $66.06 hourly, $113,048 - $137,412 Annually

Note: Successful Police Academy Graduates may be eligible for additional pay, depending on qualifications and specialty. Please see the Benefits tab for more information.

The City of Santa Barbara is excited to announce that it is currently accepting applications for the Police Officer-Entry Level position within the Police Department.

As a Police Officer-Entry Level, you will attend a P.O.S.T.-certified Police Academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system, training in various laws and procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid, physical fitness and related duties.

NOW ACCEPTING SCORES FROM THE NATONAL TESTING NETWORK AND T-SCORES FROM OTHER AGENCIES

For more information about the National Testing Network,

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.

The mission of the Police Department is to operate under a community-oriented policing philosophy, create and maintain a safe community where people can live in peace without the fear of crime. Work in a department where character counts, performance and excellence are celebrated, a place that helps employees develop and grow, and an environment that listens, learns, invites and inspires new ideas. Read more about the Police Department here.

THE POSITION

Under close supervision, learns law enforcement and crime prevention procedures and techniques during attendance at a 24-week P.O.S.T.-certified academy through classroom and physical training. Upon successful completion of the academy, incumbents will be promoted to the position of Police Officer and be expected to perform the following duties: Patrol assigned area in police car, on motorcycle or on foot enforcing Federal, State and Municipal laws and ordinances; issue warnings and citations for violations; respond to a variety of calls for public service; maintain constant radio contact with communications center; conduct preliminary investigations; testify in court; apprehend, arrest, and book suspects; and do other work as required. The Santa Barbara Police Department supports community-oriented policing.

The City of Santa Barbara is a certified partner with the Veteran's Administration for On-The-Job Training / Apprenticeship Programs, which may offer educational assistance to Veterans and other eligible individuals while they pursue approved training programs.

Knowledge of:

Basic oral and written communication skills including grammar, punctuation, and spelling required for report writing, verbal explanations of the law, and court testimony.

Ability to:

Meet the physical and psychological standards required; make accurate observations; read, understand, and follow written and oral directions and established police procedures; learn to deal tactfully and effectively with individuals in the community while explaining and enforcing laws; learn to document and communicate details and recognize hazards and crime problems; learn the applicable Federal, State, and Municipal Codes and motor vehicle codes; learn basic Police Officer standards of conduct and public relations; learn maintenance of firearms and all police related equipment; learn to think and act quickly in emergency situations; learn to assess situations accurately and to apply interpersonal skills and police training to diffuse and/or resolve stressful or potentially volatile situations.

License Requirement:

Applicants must possess a California Driver's License at time of appointment.

Age:

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.

Physical:

Weight proportionate to height, normal hearing and color vision; at least 20/100 vision, correctable to 20/25 (20/200 correctable to 20/25 with soft contact lenses); excellent health. Must also meet physical and psychological standards required to perform Police Officer duties.

Education:

High school graduation or equivalent.

Other Requirements:

No history of personal or criminal conducts which may affect suitability for employment as a Police Officer; the ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process will consist of the following:

• Written Exam or T-Score Submission (Graded and weighted 100% for purposes of ranking on the eligibility list.)
• Physical Agility Exam (Pass/Fail)
• Oral Exam
• Department Interview
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph
• Medical Examination and Controlled Substances Screening
• Psychological Evaluation

Candidates must successfully pass each phase of the selection process in order to be scheduled for subsequent phases.

Please Note: You will receive an email notification prior to the testing date to confirm your attendance.

City applications and attached Acknowledgement of Reasons for Rejection are being accepted on a CONTINUOUS BASIS until further notice.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check yo