Police Officer (Lateral)

City of Placentia, CA; Placentia (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Placentia is seeking a Lateral Transfer Police Officer to join its Police Department. This full-time position offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities. Ideal candidates will have a POST certification and experience in law enforcement, ready to contribute to community safety and engagement.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Educational Tuition Reimbursement

Qualifications

• Must be currently employed as a sworn Police Officer.
• Completion of the Basic Certificate Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).
• Must be 21 years of age or older at time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned area, enforces laws, maintains order.
• Investigates crimes and responds to public assistance requests.
• Prepares reports and testifies in court.

Skills

Law enforcement

Public safety

Community relations

Education

High school diploma or GED

POST Basic Certificate

Job description

Salary : $90,557.46 - $111,760.05 Annually

Location : City of Placentia, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 2025 - 00028

Department : Police Department

Opening Date : 04 / 24 / 2025

DESCRIPTION

• Join Our Team as a Lateral Transfer Police Officer and Elevate Your Career!

Are you an experienced law enforcement professional looking for a new opportunity that recognizes and rewards your expertise? Look no further! Our city is offering an exceptional incentive package for lateral transfers, designed to attract top talent like you!

• Competitive Pay
• Potential for initial pay to match your experience and background upon hire
• POST Certification & Education Pay
• Eligible employees can receive POST certification or education pay upon hire
• Accelerated Leave Accrual Rates
• Potential for leave accrual rates that consider your prior sworn service upon hire

THE ORGANIZATION : At the City of Placentia, we strive to make a difference by continually developing our progressive and innovative workforce. Our team works together to foster an environment that promotes diversity, creativity, and respect for everyone's opinions to ensure a better result for the community we serve. The City believes in a philosophy of continuous improvement and seeks to provide employees with a number of professional development opportunities, including citywide leadership academies, Departmental Retreats, professional coaching, and more. If you are interested in a public sector career with an established agency dedicated to improving the way its employees work, develop, and thrive, this position would be an excellent opportunity for you.

THE POSITION : Under general supervision, the Police Officer patrols an assigned area, enforces public safety laws, codes, and regulations and maintains order, prevents, detects and investigates crime, and carries out special assignments in the protection of life and property; and performs other related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHABLE CHARACTERISTICS : The Police Officer is distinguished from the Police Sergeant, which serves as a first-line supervisor, and has responsibility for the development, coordination, and evaluation of sworn personnel that are part of a work shift or section.

Police Officers may be assigned to special assignments, such as motors, traffic, K-9, detective, SWAT, field training officer, jail, bike team, VIP handling, reserves, and similar details.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

• Enforces federal, State, County and City laws, regulations, and ordinances related to public safety and law enforcement.
• Patrols an assigned area of the City, in a patrol vehicle or on foot in order to detect and prevent crime and maintain law and order; may operate a motorcycle or bicycle as part of special assignment detail.
• Prepares citations, arrest reports, crime reports, daily observation reports, vehicular incident and pursuit forms, injury reports, collision reports, and impounded property reports.
• Responds to radio messages, and citizen requests for protection of life and property and public assistance, and appears at crime and scenes of disorder and determines proper course of action; investigates suspicious vehicles or persons; observes situations related to stolen cars, traffic violations and proper flow of traffic.
• Gives verbal warnings and issues citations; inspects premises at night and on other shifts; assists in the investigation of crimes; conducts preliminary investigations of disturbances, burglaries, thefts, armed robberies, vehicle accidents, deaths or other types of incidents involving possible violation of public safety laws and codes.
• Questions suspects, interviews victims and witnesses; books property and evidence; performs basic crime scene investigation; testifies in Court regarding facts, circumstances, and violations; completes field and follow-up investigations.
• Takes written statements; examines conditions of accident scenes; clears scene of obstructions and damaged vehicles; notes and reports traffic hazards; provides first aid for injured persons or requests medical attention in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Reports abandoned or damaged vehicles; inspects establishments providing alcoholic beverages and entertainment, and other public gatherings and assures that proper licenses and permits are in effect.
• Intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order; monitors status of parolees and individuals on probation status, including Court orders
• Develops and maintains positive relations with citizens, business owners, and other members of the community.
• Participates in police briefings, exercises, training courses, and programs.
• Receives, searches, books, fingerprints, and takes custody of prisoners; guards and transports prisoners; provides meals and completes daily records.
• When assigned to Reserves detail, tracks and coordinates the scheduling and training of Reserve Police Officers.
• When assigned to Traffic detail, also enforces specialized Traffic and Motor Vehicle Codes and prepares traffic and collision reports and investigation records, sets up DUI monitoring; coordinates work with Department of Motor Vehicles and Courts; attends meetings, prepares logs, and makes presentations.
• When assigned to Field Training Officer detail; also organizes, coordinates and provides officer training in the field related to proper law enforcement surveillance, handling of traffic stops, preparation of departmental reports, and related tasks; completes training records and employee progress reports at regular intervals.
• When assigned to K-9 detail, also assists in searches of suspects and properties; trains animals and conducts exercises in proper pursuit and control methods; feeds and maintains animals in accordance with health and safety standards, and prepares related activity records.
• When assigned to Detective detail, also conducts crime scene investigations and pursues cases involving the collection of additional evidence, identification and interviewing of victims and suspects, and prosecution of cases within the Court system; conducts covert patrol; writes and executes search warrants; coordinates property and evidence collection with police support staff; testifies in cases.
• When assigned to SWAT detail, also responds to emergency calls involving hostages, barricaded suspects, suicide threats, bomb threats, deadly use of force, high risk search and arrest warrant service, and related incidents involving public safety.
• When assigned to Gang detail, also monitors and investigates associations of individuals who belong to known gangs; determines means of gaining access and information from informants related to actual or planned crimes; testifies in cases.
• When assigned to School Resource detail, also visits public schools, prepares and makes educational presentations, maintains communications with school officials, works with District staff on attendance and truancy issues, and counsels students related to lawful conduct and community standards and expectations.
• Provides escorts or guard services for parades, various public activities, or meetings.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE :

• EDUCATION : A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent

EXPERIENCE : Candidate must be currently employed as a sworn Police Officer and have passed probation in their current agency.

LICENSES & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of the Basic Certificate Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).

For specialty assignments, completion of all required training and certification related to the special position assignment.

In addition, applicants must meet the following criteria :

• No more than 20 / 100 uncorrected and 20 / 30 corrected and freedom from uncorrectable color blindness. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Must be 21 years of age or older at time of appointment.

Must have a valid California Class C Driver License, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance.

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

Must be of good character and reputation.

May undergo a psychological assessment by a qualified professional to determine their suitability for the position.

Will be administered an integrity test and a polygraph examination.

Will undergo a complete, comprehensive, P.O.S.T. approved Background Investigation.

Will be fingerprinted and records checked in both State and Federal Bureaus.

Must not have a record of conviction of a serious offense, or numerous convictions of minor offenses. Credit rating, if established, must be satisfactory.

KNOWLEDGE OF :

Police science principles, practices and professional standards; Federal Constitution rights governing search and seizure and Miranda applications; State laws, Penal Codes, Traffic Codes, and Civil Codes, statutes, Court decisions, and case law; local codes and ordinances, departmental policies and practices, and rules governing criminal evidence, criminal acts, arrest and custody of prisoners or contraband; criminal investigation methods, identification methods; crime prevention principles, use of police records, and law enforcement practices; self-defense methods and physical restraint techniques; radio codes, transmission procedures and communication techniques; principles of human behavior; professional standards; contemporary patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation, and related police services, including specialty assignments; communicable disease control methods and techniques; proper care and maintenance of property and equipment.

ABILITY TO :

Operate of police motor vehicles, radio communications equipment, computer hardware, and firearms and weapons; interpret and apply state public safety laws, codes, and local ordinances; prepare and present clear, accurate and concise police reports and statistical records; analyze solutions to law enforcement problems; convey clear instructions or execute commands; establish and maintain effective relationships with other divisions, police management, City departments, public and private agencies, community groups and the general public; communicate effectively with others, orally or in writing; accurately recall circumstances regarding traffic incidents or crime reports; exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations; think logically and maintain alertness in emergency situations; relate effectively with persons from diverse social, ethnic, political and racial backgrounds and age groups.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

• APPLICANTS MUST ATTACH THEIR POST BASIC ACADEMY CERTIFICATE TO BE CONSIDERED

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include, but is not limited to the following :

• Physical Agility Test
• Oral Interview

Applicants must file a concise and complete City application regarding their qualifications for the position online through the Human Resources webpage at as soon as possible. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position however resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an employment application.

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of education, training, and experience, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to oral interviews and / or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. The eligible list is valid for up to one year, or until an insufficient number of candidates remain unless exhausted sooner.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The City of Placentia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, other non-job related physical or mental disability, medical condition, or other functional limitation in employment or the provision of service. The City is committed to making its programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with qualified disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete the employment application and / or participate in the testing process, please contact the Human Resources Office at [phone] prior to the filing deadline. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

The City of Placentia's Drug-Free Workplace Policy requires that all applicants undergo substance abuse testing prior to employment.

The City of Placentia will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City is concerned regarding a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov / fair-chance-act /

In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Placentia employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State.

Retirement - PERS 3% at 50 CalPERS with a 9% employee contribution (classic); 2.7% at 57 CalPERS with a 11.5% employee contribution (new members). The City of Placentia does not participate in Social Security.

Health Insurance - The City provides up to $1,972 per month to purchase health insurance through the CalPERS Health Benefits program. Medical Opt Out is available for up to $400 per month to employee.

Dental & Vision Insurance - Fully paid plan for dental and vision insurance.

Life Insurance - Fully paid life insurance policy of $50,000. Additional life insurance may be purchased with the employee paying for the premium.

Disability Insurance - Fully paid short-term and long-term disability insurance policies.

Flexible Spending Account - Employees may contribute to a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account on a voluntary basis.

Deferred Compensation - Employees may contribute to a deferred compensation plan on a voluntary basis.

Holidays - 12 paid holidays per year.

Paid Time Off (Vacation) - Accrual rate of 80 hours per year.

Alternative Health & Wellness (Sick Leave) - 96 hours per year; this program includes an incentive of up to $1,250 per fiscal year.

Assignment Pay - An additional 5% is paid for Canine Officer, Detective, Field Training Officer, Motor / Traffic, and School Resource Officer.

Bilingual Pay - An additional pay of $165 per month or $250 for advanced.

P.O.S.T / Educational Incentive - For those who possess P.O.S.T Certificates; an additional 2.5% for Basic P.O.S.T., 4.5% for intermediate P.O.S.T. / AA., and 7% for Advanced P.O.S.T. / B.A.

Shift Differential Pay - For night watch, an additional pay of 2.5%

Marksmanship Incentive - $100 / $150 per year available.

Range Staff - Those assigned to Range Staff are eligible for an additional 2.5%

Finder's Fee - Upon successful completion of the FTO program both the employee who referred and the new Police Officer will each receive $1,000.

Educational Tuition Reimbursement - Available upon request and approval

Holiday Closure - In addition, subject to City Council approval, City Hall and most City Services observe a Holiday Closure annually for two weeks at the end of December / beginning of January, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day (paid time off varies per year, assignment and Bargaining Unit; City will provide additional holiday hours during this closure period.

To better evaluate your qualifications for this position, responses to this supplemental questionnaire are required. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to continue in the selection process. An incomplete and inaccurate application may lead to disqualification. It is your responsibility to fill out the application thoroughly and accurately. Resumes will not be accepted instead of completing these questions. Please provide concise, descriptive, and detailed information when answering questions. If you do not have experience, please write "NONE". IMPORTANT : 'See Resume', 'See Above', or copy and paste of your resume are not considered qualifying responses and will not be considered when evaluating your qualifications.

• I acknowledge receipt of this information and understand the instructions.

I understand that as part of the qualifying process for Police Officer, I will have a polygraph examination, psychological examination, a physical examination including controlled substances screening, and a thorough background investigation. Any falsification of information or failure to mee the standards listed above will result in my disqualification.

• By clicking here, I submit my electronic signature acknowledging that I have read and understand the qualifying process of Police Officer.

Are you currently employed as a sworn California Peace Officer?

How many years experience do you have as a Police Officer with a California law enforcement agency :

• No Experience
• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) to two (2) years of experience
• Two (2) to three (3) years of experience
• Three (3) to four (4) years of experience
• More than four (4) years of experience

Have you successfully completed the probation period at your current agency?

Do you currently possess the P.O.S.T Basic Certificate, a requirement for this position?

A copy of your P.O.S.T Basic Certificate is a required attachment with your online application. Applications without attached certificates will not be considered at this time.

• By clicking here, I acknowledge that I have attached the required document to my application and further understand that applications without the certificate will not be considered.

Have you ever been terminated or resigned in lieu of termination?

If you answered yes, please explain in detail. If no, please write 'N / A'.

Have you been disciplined for excessive tardiness / absences in the past two years?

Have you ever used illegal drugs known as PCP (phencyclidine), LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), heroine, ketamine, opiates, ecstasy, magic mushrooms, bath salts or any other "hard" drugs' or hallucinogens not listed above?

Have you used cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and / or barbiturates within the last 10 years?

Have you used marijuana or steroids within the last two years?

Have you been arrested and convicted of a DUI, or accepted any DUI plea agreement to a lesser charge, within the last seven years?

Have you ever been disqualified during the background process for any position within a law enforcement agency?

If you answered yes, please explain and include the name of the agency, date, and reason provided. If no, please write 'N / A'.

Are you a member of CalPers by previous employment? This means you have funds on deposit or service credit with CalPers.

• Not Sure

Required Question

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