Police Officer (Lateral)

City of Tehachapi (CA); Tehachapi (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Tehachapi (CA) seeks a Police Officer – Lateral or Academy Graduate to join its department. Applicants must hold a valid Basic POST certificate or be a POST-certified academy graduate, and attach academy certificate if applicable.

Selected candidates will face a panel interview; a PHS review is scored, and eligibility lasts up to twelve months, with further steps including Chief's interview if invited.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in a California law enforcement agency which requires a Basic POST certificate.
• Possession of a Basic POST Certificate from the State of California.
• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade and 30 college units; AA degree desirable.

Responsibilities

• Patrol the City to preserve law and order and enforce traffic and ordinances.
• Answer calls involving accidents, robberies, and related offenses.
• Investigate criminal activity and gather evidence for prosecution.
• Conduct traffic safety and DUI enforcement as required.
• Prepare reports on arrests and incidents and testify when needed.

Skills

Evidence gathering

Communication skills

Observation skills

Computer literacy

Education

High school diploma

AA degree desirable

Job description

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW

We are currently recruiting for a Police Officer - Lateral or Academy Graduate.

Lateral Officer applicants must possess a valid "Basic" certificate issued by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and be currently working or recently employed as a Police Officer or Sheriff's Deputy with another law enforcement agency.

Academy Graduate applicants must be a graduate of a POST certified Police Academy and attach a copy of your Academy certificate.

Applicants that meet the minimum requirements for the position will be invited to a panel interview.

The interview will consist of questions regarding the applicants' education, experience, interest and qualifications to determine suitability for law enforcement service.

A preliminary review of applicants' PHS will be conducted to ensure nothing in their background is inconsistent with performing peace officer duties. Applicants must receive a score of 3 or greater (using a 5-point scale) to pass the PHS review phase.

To be placed on the eligibility list, applicants must receive a panel interview score of 70% or greater and pass the preliminary review of their PHS with a score of 3 or greater. This is a continuous recruitment. Candidates will remain on the eligibility list for a period of up to twelve months.

Selected candidates will advance to the Chief's Interview.

California Government Code 1031(f) requires all California peace officers to be free from any emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer. Peace officers must also be free from any physical condition that might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers. As a condition of employment, candidates recommended for the position must pass a psychological evaluation and medical examination.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

To perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local municipal codes, violations, and traffic regulations; to perform investigative work; to participate in and provide support and assistance to special crime prevention and enforcement programs; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the department.

Receives general supervision from higher level sworn supervisory and management staff.

Exercises technical supervision over non-sworn personnel. Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions

Patrol the City to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.

Answer calls and complaints involving automobile accidents, robberies, and related misdemeanors and felonies.

Respond to general public service calls including animal complaints, domestic disturbances, civil complaints, property control, and related incidents.

Collect, process, photograph and present evidence using scientific techniques including fingerprints, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence.

Enforce traffic laws and ordinances; check speed with radar; issue warnings and citations.

Direct traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.

Conduct investigations of serious injury and fatality traffic accidents.

Conduct traffic accident analyses and general traffic surveys.

Conduct a variety of criminal investigations involving crimes against persons and property, auto theft, white-collar crime, and narcotics; gather evidence and prepare cases for prosecution.

Investigate juvenile related crimes including child abuse and juvenile narcotics; coordinate youth services with outside agencies and organizations including local school districts; conduct community presentations and instruct assigned classes.

Identify suspects; conduct interviews and interrogations; apprehend and arrest offenders.

Contact and interview victims and witnesses; preserve and investigate crime scenes.

Conduct covert, undercover investigations as assigned.

Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.

Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public; take an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention.

Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required.

Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed and unusual incidents observed.

Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants and witnesses; interrogate suspects; administer polygraph tests; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.

Prepare and serve warrants within the department and with outside agencies; remain current on laws and procedures required for processing warrants.

Testify in court as an expert witness.

Oversee and coordinate crime prevention activities; make presentations to local citizens and community groups.

Serve on task force relating to narcotics, gang; gather crime related intelligence information and conduct background investigations; coordinate information and activities with outside agencies and jurisdictions.

Give oral presentations at schools, clubs, and other community organizations.

Renders First Aid and CPR as needed.

Serve as Field Training Officer as assigned, train new officers on departmental policies, procedures and activities.

Marginal Functions

Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of

• Police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques
• Criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the seizure and preservation of evidence
• Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory
• Self defense tactics
• First aid and CPR procedures and practices
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques

Ability to

• Gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate and use facts and evidence
• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action
• Interpret and apply laws and regulations
• Use and care for firearms
• Demonstrate powers of observation and memory
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Learn and use a computer

Experience and Training Guidelines

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

Experience

Prior experience in a California law enforcement agency which requires a Basic POST certificate. Is highly desirable.

Training

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade and completion of a minimum of 30 units of college coursework from an accredited college or university. Possession of an Associate of Arts Degree is desirable.

License and Certificate

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license at time of application; valid California driver’s license by time of appointment.

Possession of a Basic POST Certificate from the State of California.

During the course of employment, may be required to attend and successfully complete training courses as needed to perform assigned duties, including First Aid and CPR.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of 21 years of age at time of application.

Must meet physical requirements of the job established by the department.

Meet California Government Code Section 1029 requirements including: Physical condition is, after examination by a licensed physician and surgeon, free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect his/her exercise of powers as a Police Officer.

Must be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. citizenship prior to application for employment in compliance with Government Code Section 1031.

No felony convictions

Pass a rigorous background investigation.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility: frequent sitting and standing for long period of time; frequent stooping, bending and squatting. Lifting: frequent lifting up to 60 pounds; occasional lifting up to 75 pounds. Vision: Constant overall vision, color perception, eye-hand coordination, and depth perception; frequent reading/close-up work; constant field of vision/peripheral. Dexterity: frequent grasping, holding, and reaching; constant use of a computer; occasional use of a firearm. Hearing/Talking: Constant requirement to hear normal speech; constant hearing on telephone and radio; ability to hear faint sounds; constant talking on telephone/radio. Emotional/ Psychological: regular exposure to hostile, abusive and threatening individuals; may be required to restrain or arrest individuals. frequent working alonemay be exposed to trauma, grief and death; frequent public contact; decision-making and concentration. Environmental: Constant wearing a ballistic vest; frequent exposure to loud noise; occasional exposure to chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both Indoor and outdoor environment including extreme heat, cold and inclement weather on a year-round basis; subject to driving a vehicle to conduct work, Positions require overtime holiday and weekend work. Depending upon assignment may require standby work assignments. Occasional travel.