Police Officer - Lateral ($30K Hiring Incentive)

City of Palm Springs; Palm Springs (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Palm Springs is seeking a dedicated Sworn Police Officer to join its Police Department. The role involves enforcing laws, protecting citizens, and performing various technical and administrative tasks. Candidates should have a valid California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate and experience in law enforcement. The position offers competitive pay, including a hiring bonus and additional compensation for education and special roles. Join our team to make a difference in the community.

Benefits

$30,000 Hiring Bonus

Longevity Pay

Education Pay

Bilingual Pay

Qualifications

• Experience as a full-time Sworn Peace Officer required.
• Completion of a California P.O.S.T. Certified Police Academy required.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas to enforce laws and prevent crimes.
• Respond to public service and crime victim calls.
• Conduct investigations and maintain records.

Skills

Law Enforcement

Public Safety

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate

Job description

ClickHEREfor more information

THE CITY:Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there’s always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on visit theEngage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign, visit theMunicipal Equity Index website.

THE POSITION: This position is a member of the Palm Springs Police Department and provides services in the enforcement of laws including the protection of persons and property, the prevention of crimes; the control of traffic flow and enforcement of State and local traffic regulations; and performing a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Police Department.

PAY INCENTIVES:

$30,000 Hiring Bonus:

Available to eligible new hire lateral police officers. ClickHEREfor more information.

Longevity Pay:

Based on years of service in a full-time sworn law enforcement position with the City of Palm Springs or sworn law enforcement position with another law enforcement agency as follows:

• 10 years – 11 years and 364 days – 2.50%
• 12 years – 13 years and 364 days – 3.50%
• 14 years – 15 years and 364 days – 4.50%
• 16 years – 17 years and 364 days – 6.0%
• 18 years – 19 years and 364 days – 7.50%
• 20 years or more – 10.0%

Education Pay:

• Additional 1.5% of base salary for an associate degree.
• Additional 3.0% of base salary for a bachelor's degree.

Special Compensation:

• Motor Officer 5% of base salary
• Canine Officer 5% of base salary
• FTO 5% of base salary
• Bilingual Pay $250/per month

Click the link below for additional information regarding benefits and pay.

PALM SPRINGS POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION MOU

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include,but are not limited to, the following:

• Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order and discover and prevent the commission of crimes; enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
• Respond to general public service and crime victim calls, traffic hazards, stray animal reports, and related misdemeanors and felony incidents.
• Plan, execute, write, and serve search warrants; search suspects, vehicles, residences and buildings for evidence, contra band and lost or missing people.
• Serve arrest warrants; make arrests for crimes committed under penal and institute codes; perform booking procedures for new prisoners; contact and interview witnesses to gain additional information.
• Process and store evidence and property found at various crime scenes; maintain records, and enter data into computer as necessary.
• Investigate organized crime and gang activities, subjects, groups, and representatives relative to assigned area of responsibility; collect intelligence information and produce cases and reports for presentation to the District Attorney.
• Review and investigate reports relating to vehicle theft and accidents.
• Conduct a variety of investigations relative to assigned area of responsibility including narcotics, crimes against property and persons; gather information from witnesses and informants; interview suspects; prepare reports, and follow up on investigations.
• Testify in juvenile and civil courts and DMV hearings; prepare and process court reports.
• Maintain and operate specialized police surveillance equipment including transmitters, radios, and cameras.
• Develop, conduct and participate in training exercises and classes; respond to and resolve questions and concerns; stay abreast of current crime trends and innovative policing techniques; implement new information into training programs as appropriate.
• Perform unique duties of assigned area of responsibility including SWAT, K-9, bicycle, and mounted police units.
• Assist other investigators and police divisions in related investigative activities.
• May serve in a lead capacity in the absence of immediate supervisor.
• Provide news releases to the media; conduct television interviews for public awareness.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full-time work. "Full-time work" means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Qualifications noted as "desirable" or "preferred" are not included as part of the minimum requirements.

For more information about the California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver clickhere.

Experience

Current employment, or employment within the last three (3) years as a full-time Sworn Peace Officer, for a City, County, or State Government and possession of a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate or California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver is required.

• California public agency experience as a Sworn Peace Officer, for a City, County, or State Government is highly desirable.

Training

• High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by the completion of a California P.O.S.T. Certified Police Academy, or California P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver is required.

License or Certificates

• Possession of an appropriate valid driver license with a satisfactory driving record is required.
• Possession of a Basic California P.O.S.T. Certificate orCalifornia P.O.S.T. Basic Course Waiver is required.
• Possession of an appropriate, valid C.P.R. Certificate is required.

Additional Special Requirements:

• Cannot be related to any other employee in the Palm Springs Police Department.
• In accordance with Government Code Section 1031 and 1031.5, to be appointed as a peace officer in California, you must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship. Citizenship status must be conferred within three years of applying for citizenship or within 3 years before date of appointment to the position of Sworn Police Officer.
• Must reside within 1 hour driving distance from the Palm Springs Police Department at time of appointment to the position of Sworn Police Officer.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation including a criminal history check for job related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph screening, credit check, psychological screening and a physical and drug screen.

Working Conditions:

The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

This position works in an emergency police services environment; travel from site to site; have exposure to potentially hostile environments; and may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, running, standing, sitting, walking or driving for prolonged periods; the ability to discharge a firearm.

A completed application and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process.

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.

Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however, they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process. Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise.

The selection process - for this position, may include one or more of the following: application review, qualification review, written exam, practical exam, oral panel exam and department interview.

Candidates must successfully pass each stage of the selection process above in order to continue to the next step. This process may be modified or changed depending on the number of qualified candidates.

Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.

For more information on completing your application materials clickhere.

If you are ready to join the exciting Team Palm Springs and you meet the requirements detailed above, please click the apply button. For more information contact Human Resources at:

The City of Palm Springs

3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262

www.palmspringsca.gov

760-323-8215

Applications must be received by 4:00 pm on June 30, 2025, in order to be considered for this opportunity The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.

The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.