Police Officer/Lateral

City of Gardena; Gardena (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Initial hiring bonus $1,500

FTO completion bonus $3,500

Vacation credit 40 hours

Sick time credit 50 hours

Job summary

The City of Gardena invites applications for Police Officer to protect lives and property, enforce laws, and engage with the community to reduce crime and fear. The role offers opportunities for career progression from new hire to senior officer with ongoing training and responsibility sharing.

Candidates must meet POS T standards, have a high school diploma or GED, and may be eligible for lateral entry with a structured pay plan and bonuses after completing the Field Training Program.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED; college training is desirable.
• Successful completion of a POS T Basic Academy is required.
• Lateral applicants may have completed the required academies and meet state standards.

Responsibilities

• Enforce laws, make arrests, and facilitate crime prevention efforts.
• Process prisoners, prepare reports, and recommend actions.
• Engage with the community to identify needs and improve safety and quality of life.
• Respond to calls for service, administer first aid, and cooperate with public safety partners.

Skills

Listening

Written reports

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

POS T Basic Academy completion

Job description

The philosophy of the Gardena Police Department emphasizes a responsible partnership with the community to identify, reduce, eliminate and prevent problems that impact community safety and order.

Under general supervision, police officers provide law enforcement services toward attaining the purpose, goals and objectives of the Police Department and the City of Gardena. While adhering to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, they execute their activities with other personnel, bureaus, divisions and departments to ensure that all work efforts effectively mobilize the resources of the Police Department to promote public safety of the community. Police Officers are responsible for implementing organizational strategies that support the systematic use of community partnerships and collaborative problem-solving techniques to proactively address conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime. Over several years, Police Officers develop from new hire status, where the primary responsibility is to gain knowledge from others, to a Senior Officer, where they have demonstrated competence in the full range of law enforcement duties and share responsibilities for all actions taking place in their presence.

Representative Duties

With awareness of and adherence to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and with a commitment to the Department's purpose, goals and objectives, the successful Police Officer enforces laws, makes arrests and facilitates others in resisting and preventing crime. Officers process prisoners and ensure their safety, prepare reports and recommend plans of action. Police Officers communicate with members of the community to identify problems and needs of the area and make recommendations for improvements in safety and quality of life. Police Officers also assist the public and answer questions; administer first aid and respond to calls for medical assistance; establish and maintain good relationships with the general public. Incumbents perform other collateral duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Graduation from high school or GED Certificate (with high school equivalency). College training is highly desirable. Prior to appointment as a Police Officer, the applicant must meet minimum standards established by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and the City of Gardena. Successful completion of an approved Basic Academy accredited by P.O.S.T. and approved by the City of Gardena is required. Upon completion, applicants will receive appointment as probationary Police Officers.

Knowledge and Abilities

The successful candidate must listen effectively, speak and write clearly, and read with understanding. The ability to train others and make public presentations is also required.

Physical Requirements

• Age: 20 years at time of application.


• Weight: In correct proportion to height.


• Hearing: Normal.


• Vision: The ability to perform the necessary functions of the position.


• General Health: Normal standards of health as determined by the City Medical Examiner (consistent with P.O.S.T. guidelines).

License

Must possess a valid Class \"C\" California Driver's License, or if licensed in another state, be capable of securing the required California license.

Special Condition

Freedom from disqualifying criminal convictions as determined by the City Personnel Officer.

Please submit the required license, certificate, or registration with the State as evidence of professional or technical proficiency at the same time of filing the application. The Human Resources Officer will require necessary verification of qualifications as specified in the job bulletin.

Lateral Incentive Bonus

• $1,500.00 initial hiring bonus


• $3,500.00 after completion of the Field Training Program (FTO)


• 40 hours of Vacation Credit


• 50 hours of Sick Time Credit

Probationary Period

• PROBATIONARY PERIOD is 12 months following completion of Academy.


• STEP 1: Granted upon successful completion of Academy


• STEP 2: Granted after 6 months continuous and satisfactory service at Step 1.


• STEP 3: Granted after one year continuous and satisfactory service at step 2.


• STEPS 4, 5 & 6: Granted on an annual basis following continuous and satisfactory service.

Upon the discretion of the Chief of Police, Lateral is eligible to be placed on a pay step close to their previous pay.

Testing Procedure

Prior to appointment, the applicant must meet minimum standards established by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and the City of Gardena. Applicants must pass processes listed below:

• Written Exam Waived


• Physical Agility Waived


• Oral Interview 100%


• Polygraph Examination Qualifying


• Psychological Evaluation Qualifying


• Medical Examination Qualifying


• Background Investigation Qualifying


• Chief's Oral Interview Qualifying