Police Officer - Lateral

City of Walnut Creek; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Uniform allowance

Retirement plan

Paid leave and holidays

Job summary

The City of Walnut Creek invites qualified Police Officers to join a community‑minded department dedicated to integrity and professionalism. Candidates must complete probation with their current agency and meet all education, experience, and P.O.S.T.

requirements described in the qualification guidelines. Applicants should review the full class specification for detailed duties, working conditions, and physical requirements.

Qualifications

• High school graduation (or equivalent).
• 60 semester units from a recognized college or university (up to 15 units from the police academy may be combined with other college units).
• Possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate (out-of-state applicants may be eligible via Basic Course Waiver).
• Successful completion of probation as a Police Officer.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned area to prevent and detect crime; enforce laws; respond to incidents; report and investigate; direct traffic.
• Make arrests and testify in court; review cases; research crime patterns; prepare reports and evidence.
• Observe conditions conducive to crime; assist the public; issue warnings and citations; transport prisoners.
• Conduct investigations and projects; provide training to new staff; present to schools and community groups.
• May act as temporary supervisor or Watch Commander.

Education

High school graduation

60 semester units

California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate

Probation completion as Police Officer

Job description

Position Description

Visit www.JoinWalnutCreekPD.com to learn more about how to level up your career in law enforcement with Walnut Creek!

Are you a current Police Officer looking for a thriving, community-oriented city to protect and serve? At the City of Walnut Creek, Police Officers serve with integrity, professionalism, and respect. If this sounds like you and you have successfully completed probation with your current department, we encourage you to apply to join the Walnut Creek Police Department family!

Read more about the requirements to become a Police Officer in Walnut Creek below (under “Qualification Guidelines”).

Representative Duties

The following job duties represent many of those required of Police Officers at the City of Walnut Creek:

• Patrols an assigned area for the prevention and detection of crime and enforcement of laws and regulations; responds to and investigates reported disorders or crimes; notes and reports complaints, accidents, offenses and damages to property; reports abandoned or damaged vehicles; directs traffic.
• Makes arrests and advises suspects of rights; prepares reports on arrests and property impounded; inspects crime scenes and questions witnesses; checks alibis of suspects and attempts to determine the validity of statements made; analyzes clues and information related to a crime to determine how it was committed; reviews modus operandi of known criminals in attempting to determine relationships between criminals and crimes under investigation; reports on the progress of investigations and prepares assigned cases for court; serves warrants; appears in court to testify regarding arrests, citations and other law enforcement activities.
• Observes and reports conditions conducive to crime; provides information and assistance to the public; issues warnings and citations to traffic law violators and inspects vehicles; searches and transports prisoners.
• Conducts special investigations and projects; makes public presentations to schools, businesses, and neighborhood groups; assists in the training and development of new employees.
• May act as temporary supervisor or Watch Commander.

Please see the Police Officer class specification for a complete description of this classification's representative duties, requirements, working conditions, and physical requirements.

Qualifications Guidelines

The classification of Police Officer at the City of Walnut Creek requires the following first three elements of Education and Experience. Candidates must meet all four criteria below in order to move forward in the selection process for the position of Police Officer – Lateral.

Education And Experience

• High school graduation (or equivalent);
• Completion of 60 semester units from a recognized college or university (up to 15 units from the police academy may be combined with other college units to meet the 60 semester units);
• Possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate (out-of-state applicants may also be eligible for hire as a Lateral candidate by successful completion of the "Basic Course Waiver Process" administered by California P.O.S.T.); and
• Successful completion of the probationary period as a Police Officer. If you are currently on probation at your present agency, and have never passed probation as a Police Officer previously, please apply through the “Academy Graduate” application process.

Note: if you do not meet the criteria above, you may qualify for the Police Officer – Trainee or Police Officer – Academy Graduate recruitments. If you apply to the incorrect Police Officer recruitment announcement based on your experience, you may be asked to submit your application anew. If you’re unsure which recruitment you’re most qualified for, please email us at [e-mail] for guidance prior to applying.

Special Requirements

• Possession of or ability to obtain, prior to employment, a Class C California Driver's License and a good driving record.
• Candidate must meet City's medical standards pertaining to physical requirements prior to employment.
• Safely drive a vehicle under a variety of conditions.
• Handle, maintain, and use weapons.
• Subdue attackers using batons, tasers, pepper spray, control holds.
• Use restraining devices.
• Know and apply city and departmental policies and all laws applicable to performance of duties.
• Respond to citizen inquiries in person, via telephone and in writing.
• Administer CPR and other first aid.
• Lift, carry, drag and pull people and objects.
• Be able to communicate with citizens in times of emergency.
• Administer roadside sobriety tests and use chemical kits.
• Produce computer generated reports.

Supplemental Information

Applicants considered for appointment to this position will be subject to a thorough background investigation (consisting of, but not limited to, criminal history, Department of Justice and FBI fingerprinting, DMV driving history review, credit check, previous/current employment references, and personal references), pre-placement medical exam including drug screening, a physical agility exam, and a psychological exam. The City reserves the right to request a candidate to submit to a polygraph exam.

The City of Walnut Creek is committed to providing a workforce with the highest standards of integrity and honesty. Honesty and integrity will be closely evaluated throughout the background process. All information provided by applicants is required to be truthful and accurate; failure to do so may result in disqualification.

If special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the examination process, please provide the Human Resources Department with advanced notice and every attempt will be made to consider your request.

As required by law, all public employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers. As such, all City of Walnut Creek employees may be called upon to assist in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man-made disasters.

• This job announcement may close without notice when a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Summary Of Benefits

Note: The benefits listed below do not apply to Police Officer Trainees attending the police academy. After successful completion of the police academy Police Officer Trainees are typically appointed to the position of Police Officer. Upon appointment to the position of Police Officer the benefits applicable to the Walnut Creek Police Officers Association apply.

See MOU for details.

Additional Compensation –

Officers meeting program requirements are eligible to receive:

• Educational Incentive Pay (BA or POST Advanced Certificate): 6.5% of base pay
• Shift Differential Pay (graveyard shift): 5% of base pay
• Special Assignment Pay: 5% - 7.5% of base pay
• Master Officer Pay: 3%, 6%, or 9% of base pay

Health Benefits –

Choice of Kaiser or Blue Shield HMO or HDHP health insurance plans with generous City contribution.

Uniform Allowance –

$1,000 per year

Dental and Vision Plans –

Family coverage fully paid by the City.

Life Insurance and Disability –

Individual coverage fully paid by the City.

Retirement Program – CalPERS

3% @ 55 formula or 2.7% @ 57 formula depending on qualifying factors under State law (AB340 California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA)).

Employee CalPERS Contributions

• 12% for Classic Members
• 14.5% for PEPRA Members*

Contributions required under AB340 California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA).

Retirement Health Savings (RHS) plan

with a generous City contribution (see chart below) and a mandatory employee contribution of 1% of salary.

• 0-5 $2,000
• >5-10 $2,500
• >10-15 $3,500
• >15-20 $4,000
• >20-25 $4,500
• >25 $5,000

Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan available

Paid Leave and Holidays –

General Leave accrues at the rate of 20 days the first year and progresses to 30 days at twenty-five years of service. Holiday in-lieu pay equivalent to 6.25% of base pay paid bi-weekly.

Dependent Care and Medical Spending Accounts –

Available to eligible employees on a voluntary basis.

Additional Benefits –

Tuition Reimbursement Program, Employee Assistance Plan, Wellness Program, Commute Alternative Program, and others.