Police Officer (Lateral)

City of Ontario; Ontario (CA); On-site; CAD 127,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual Pay: 6% of Base Pay

Educational Incentive Pay: up to 7.5%

Shift Differential Pay: up to 3%

Motorcycle Pay: 5%

Air Support/Helicopter: 5%

Airport Operations: 5.12%

Canine Pay: 5%

Pilot Pay: 8%

FTO Pay: 5%

Job summary

Ontario Police Department is seeking lateral-entry Police Officers. A valid California POST Basic certificate and current or recent sworn officer employment with a California agency are required.

Applications are accepted continuously to build an eligibility list for the department. The City of Ontario emphasizes public service and community partnership, offering opportunities in a dynamic department with growth potential and specialized pay incentives for bilingual ability, education, shift

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid POST Basic certificate and previous or current sworn peace officer employment with a California law enforcement agency.
• All appointments subject to satisfactory background investigation including polygraph and post‑offer medical exam.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned beat to identify threats to life or property and take action.
• Enforce laws/ordinances and provide non-criminal services.
• Contribute to an eligibility list to meet staffing needs.

Education

POST Basic certificate

Job description

POLICE OFFICER (LATERAL)

Lateral Entry: Possession of a valid POST Basic certificate and previous or current sworn peace officer employment with a California law enforcement agency. Please refer to the qualification guidelines below for additional details.

This recruitment will result in an eligibility list for the Police Officer classification to meet the current and future staffing needs of the Police Department.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.

Are you interested in making a positive impact to a community? By choosing to work for the City of Ontario, you are committing to an honorable profession in public service in which you can make a positive contribution to the City's residents, business owners, workers, and visitors. When you come to work each day, you are doing something important and meaningful for the community. Ontario is an economic leader in the Inland Empire, making it an excellent choice for a law enforcement career. We offer the opportunities and resources of a large department with the teamwork of a small one. Police Officers protect life and property through the enforcement of laws/ordinances and the provision of non-criminal services. Police Officers patrol an assigned beat to identify circumstances that indicate a threat to life or property and to take action to mitigate such threats.

Special Pay

• Bilingual Pay: Equal to 6% of Base Pay


• Educational Incentive Pay: Up to 7.5% of Base Pay


• Shift Differential Pay: Up to 3% of Base Pay


• Motorcycle Pay: Equal to 5% of Base Pay


• Air Support/Helicopter: Equal to 5% of Base Pay


• Airport Operations: Equal to 5.12% of Base Pay


• Canine Pay: Equal to 5% of Base Pay


• Pilot Pay: Equal to 8% of Base Pay


• FTO Pay: Equal to 5% of Base Pay

Background Investigation

All appointments to this position are subject to a satisfactory background investigation conducted by the Ontario Police Department. The background investigation will include the following: passing of a polygraph test and the successful completion of a post-offer medical exam (including drug screen). Candidates may be disqualified from further consideration during the background investigation for a variety of reasons including if they have: an excessive number of traffic citations and/or collisions; arrests and/or convictions; a history of illegal substance abuse; poor credit history (factors include bankruptcy, foreclosures, liens, repossessions, and recency); or thefts from a previous employer. For clarification of any of the above disqualifying reasons, please call the Police Department Background Unit at [phone].

• Your relatives, references, and acquaintances are asked to comment on your suitability for a career in law enforcement.


• The information supplied regarding your educational history is examined and verified.


• You must list a history of your residences.


• Your work history and experience are examined with regard to your dependability, relationships with fellow workers, trustworthiness, and general job performance.


• Military service records are subject to verification.


• The background investigation considers your management of personal finances (however, being in debt does not automatically disqualify you).


• Your criminal, driving, and insurance records are evaluated. Felony convictions will be grounds for disqualification from the selection process.

The Ontario Police Department

The mission of the Ontario Police Department is to protect life and property, build and maintain authentic relationships, and enhance the quality of life in our community.

TEAMWORK

Fulfilling community partnerships that instill pride, passion and commitment through communication and performance. Learn from the past and embrace the future through empowerment, respect, and cooperation.

PROFESSIONALISM

It is not the job we do; it is how we do our job. We are engaging and considerate with our actions, image, and conduct.

INTEGRITY

We hold honesty as our guiding principle. When faced with difficult decisions, we do the right thing, even in the face of adversity.

ACCOUNTABILITY

We openly identify and address problems and willingly accept responsibility for our own actions.

DEDICATION

We are committed to our craft and to the residents, businesses, and visitors of the City of Ontario.

The City of Ontario

The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including, but not limited to: Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City’s team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.

About

The City’s vision for the future is very exciting, and we foresee tremendous growth within the years to come. We welcome you to view the City of Ontario’s 2025 State of the City video by clicking on the link below as well as the other links to learn more about the City:

State of the City

The Ontario Plan

Smart Ontario

Downtown Ontario

Examples Of Essential Functions

Help make a difference to the community by becoming a contributing member of Ontario's progressive Police Department. By choosing to continue your law enforcement career with the Ontario Police Department, you will be rewarded with a dynamic and supportive environment in which to pursue your professional and personal achievements.

Why Ontario? Ontario's Police Department is at the forefront of law enforcement, including: a dynamic, proactive approach to law enforcement; community-based policing; SWAT unit; helicopter support; canine program; traffic/motorcycle program; forensics unit; and gang suppression unit.

Qualification Guidelines

Education

Equivalent to a high school diploma or recognized equivalent and the completion of a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified Basic Training Academy.

Experience

• Employment as a sworn peace officer as defined by California Penal Code sections 830.1(a) and 830.2(a) by a California law enforcement agency within the previous twelve months at time of application;


• OR Previous employment as a sworn peace officer as defined by California Penal Code sections 830.1(a) and 830.2(a) by a California law enforcement agency and possession of a currently valid California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Basic Certificate.

Peace Officer Background Investigation

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to successfully complete a Peace Officer Background Investigation conducted by the Ontario Police Department.

Other Requirements

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment. Weight in proportion to height as determined by examining physician. Uncorrected vision of at least 20/80 each eye, corrected to 20/20 with glasses or contact lenses and normal color vision.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Desirable

Some college level coursework in criminal justice administration or a related field. Knowledge of modern police practices and methods; current laws and ordinances, particularly those of arrest, search, and seizure, and the geography of the City of Ontario.

Employees

Employees in this classification are represented by the Ontario Police Officers Association (OPOA). For a list of benefits for OPOA employees please click here 2025 OPOA and OPMG Benefit Summary Guide.

Please check out our excellent benefit packages here www.ontariocityemployees.org.