Police Officer I (Lateral)

Westminster CA; Westminster (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus of $10,000

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

A California law enforcement agency seeks qualified lateral police officers for patrol duties in Westminster. The role involves crime prevention, public safety enforcement, and community engagement. Candidates should have a high school diploma and a Basic POST Certificate. A $10,000 sign-on bonus is available, with competitive salary and opportunities for career advancement. The position requires flexibility with shifts, a commitment to community service, and effective communication skills.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License.
• Possess a Basic Certificate issued by the California State Commission on P.O.S.T.
• Complete P.O.S.T. physical standards.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned area to prevent crime.
• Respond to emergency calls to protect public safety.
• Provide information and assistance to the public.

Skills

Law enforcement principles

Investigation techniques

First aid and CPR

Emergency response skills

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Specialized training in law enforcement

Tools

Firearms

Police vehicle

Job description

Sign‑On Bonus

City offers a $10,000 one‑time signing bonus for qualified lateral officers. $5,000 will be paid upon hire and $5,000 upon completion of probation.

To qualify for the bonus:

• Possess a Basic POST Certificate
• Have served a minimum of 12 months in a sworn position within a California law enforcement agency
• Currently serve, or have served within the previous 12 months, as a sworn police officer within a California law enforcement agency
• Have completed probation at their current or most recent agency

Definition

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances; assists in the preparation of cases and testifies in court; provides information and assistance to the public; performs related work as required.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no supervision of staff.

Class Characteristics

This is a sworn journey‑level law enforcement class that performs patrol assignments found in a municipal police department. Incumbents are assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic enforcement. Incumbents are armed and may be assigned to work in uniform or plain clothes. Shift schedules may be changed periodically to ensure maximum delivery of effective police service. This class is distinguished from Police Officer II in that the latter serves in specialized departmental roles.

Typical Job Functions (Illustrative Only)

• Patrols the city within an assigned area in a radio‑dispatched automobile to secure life and property, observe situations, report suspicious, criminal activity, or hazardous conditions, and deter crime by providing high visibility.
• Responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, and other incidents to protect public safety and property, resolve problems, diffuse situations, and enforce laws and ordinances.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Performs a variety of community‑policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public, including speaking before various civic and community groups, patrolling assigned divisions by foot, bicycle, or vehicle, and performing other related duties as required.
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers or issues citations as appropriate; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles and arranges for immediate removal of stranded vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or other congested situations.
• Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody and may transport them for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer‑term facility, as required.
• Secures crime scenes and evidence; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves evidence.
• Directs the activities of police support personnel and/or volunteers in office and field situations.
• Provides emergency medical attention to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests appropriate medical assistance as necessary.
• Provides mutual aid to other law‑enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy.
• Prepares and maintains reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Oversees the use and care of equipment as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Law‑enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime‑scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and pursuit, apprehension, and transportation of suspects.
• Investigation and identification techniques and equipment.
• Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons.
• Techniques of first aid and CPR.
• Operating a motor vehicle in a safe manner under patrol and emergency conditions.
• Record‑keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Observe accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written materials.
• Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
• Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.
• Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible manner.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record‑keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade. Specialized training in law‑enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possesion of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
• Possession of a Basic Certificate issued by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).
• Possession and maintenance of firearms qualification.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; vision to maintain firearms qualification and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking on uneven terrain, and climbing and descending structures to access crime scenes and identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate police services equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.

Environmental Elements

Employees work indoors and outdoors, and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or the public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. The principal duties of this class are performed in a police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases.

Working Conditions

Classification requires successful completion of a pre‑hire physical and detailed police background investigation. Must be willing to work extended shifts or be called back in emergency situations and work with exposure to difficult circumstances, including exposure to dangerous situations.