Police Officer - Lateral/Academy Graduate

City of Hercules; Hercules (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking department as a Police Officer, where you will play a vital role in protecting lives and maintaining order in the community. This position offers the chance to engage in meaningful work, from patrol duties to specialized investigations, all while backed by strong leadership. As part of a dedicated team, you will uphold the law and build trust within a diverse community, ensuring safety and support for all. If you are passionate about making a real difference and pursuing a rewarding career in law enforcement, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Training and Development

Uniform Allowance

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent required, with law enforcement experience preferred.
• Must possess a valid California driver's license and good driving record.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas to ensure security and deter crime.
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Enforce laws, make arrests, and prepare evidence for court.

Skills

First Aid and CPR

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

College coursework in criminology or police science

Tools

Patrol Vehicle

Communication Equipment

Job description

Serve. Protect. Make a Real Difference.

Step into a role where every day counts. As a Police Officer with the Hercules Police Department, you’ll protect lives, uphold the law, and build trust within a diverse and growing community. From patrol to investigations and specialized units like traffic or the Special Response Team, you’ll take on meaningful work that matters—backed by strong leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to the Hercules community.

Whether you're starting your law enforcement career or looking for a department where you can grow, Hercules Police Departmentoffers the opportunity to do meaningful work with purpose and pride.

POLICE OFFICER

Performs a wide variety of peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinances, criminal investigation, crime prevention and suppression, case preparation and testimony, and providing information and assistance to the public; performs related work as assigned.

This is the first working level in law enforcement, performing all duties required to effectively respond to and resolve the normal scope of peace officer situations. Incumbents may be assigned to patrol, traffic, detective, juvenile crime prevention, Special Response Team, or other police-related functions. This class is distinguished from uniformed civilian police-related classes by designation and the responsibilities and authorities associated with designations as a sworn peace officer under the laws of the State. It is further distinguished from the Police Sergeant, which both supervises and participates in law enforcement activities.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please note that this is not an entry level police officer position. Please see our job opening for Police Officer Trainee if you are not currently enrolled in or recently graduated from the police academy.

1. Submit a completed City of Hercules application online by the application deadline.

2. All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, and only those candidates demonstrating the strongest qualifications for the position will be invited to participate in a panel interview.

3. Candidates that pass the panel interview will be subject to an extensive background examination including a polygraphtest, psychological exam, and physical.

4. Once testing is complete the Chief of Police shall review the background and post-conditional offer assessments and make the final determination as to whether a formal job offer is to be made.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives supervision from the Police Officer designated as an Officer-In-Charge, Police Sergeant, Police Commander, Police Chief, or their designees.

• Patrols assigned areas to ensure the security of life and property, observe situations, and deter crime by providing high visibility; notes and reports unsafe conditions.
• Responds to, and investigates, unusual or suspicious activities, responds to both emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Directs traffic, and investigates traffic accidents.
• Enforces state, local, and federal laws and ordinances, issues verbal warnings and citations to violators, analyzes facts, clues and evidence and makes investigations to determine law violators.
• Makes arrests, serves subpoenas and warrants, transports prisoners, and interviews suspects.
• Prepares evidence and appears in court to give testimony.
• Searches for stolen property and missing persons.
• Gives information to the public regarding laws, ordinances, traffic safety, directions and available public services.
• Operates computers, radios, and other communication equipment.
• Carries and uses a firearm and other appropriate defensive weaponry.
• Protects the life, property, public order and constitutional rights of all citizens. Adheres to the California Peace Officers Standards and Training Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
• Investigates juvenile and designated adult criminal activity and incidents as the assigned detective coordinates crime science control and investigation, including interviews and interrogations, identification of witnesses, overseeing collection and preservation of physical evidence.
• Restores order, protects life and property, and maintains the peace at public gatherings and in conflict situations.
• Prepares and documents cases, writes daily reports, completes reports and records, and prepares and maintains other logs and records.
• Participates in special details and assignments, including the Special Response Team, investigations, and related activities; may serve as field training officer.
• Provides emergency aid and assistance to incapacitated persons and requests additional response.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge of:

• Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts.
• Techniques for dealing with people of all socio-economic level under hostile and emergency situations.
• Safety practices and precautions pertaining to the work.
• First Aid and CPR.

Ability to:

• Observe and accurately recall places, names, descriptive characteristics and fact of incidents.
• Analyze problems and situations accurately and adopt a quick, effective, and responsible course of action in emergency or stressful situations.
• Establish and maintain positive business and community relationships.
• Read and understand departmental policies and rules.
• Read, interpret and apply complex laws, procedures and policies.
• Make rapid, sound independent judgments within legal and procedural guidelines.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, records and other written materials.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Learn the principles, practices, procedures, laws and ordinances, terminology and operations of equipment used in law enforcement and crime prevention and investigation.
• Write reports.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:

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

Equivalent to graduation from high school. Volunteer or paid experience in a law enforcement support area and college level course work in criminology, law enforcement or police science is desirable.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Citizenship Requirement:

Be a United States Citizen (or resident alien with application for citizenship in progress).

General Requirements:

Be a high school graduate, or GED equivalent.

Be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.

Possess a valid California driver's license (at time of appointment) and a good driving record.

Must be able to obtain required P.O.S.T. certification and maintain firearms qualification.

Proof of eligibility of P.O.S.T. SB2 compliance.

Lateral Entry: Must meet the general requirements above and be a graduate of a P.O.S.T. approved academy or have a P.O.S.T. basic certificate.

Physical Requirements:

Have normal color vision.

Have vision of not less than 20/30 (corrected in each eye).

Possess satisfactory hearing capabilities.

Be free of disabling physical conditions or diseases that interfere with police work.

Be emotionally stable and mature.

Possess strength and physical ability necessary to perform the duties of a Police Officer.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands: Continuous sitting while driving a patrol vehicle and/or writing reports; occasional standing on uneven or wet surfaces; walking in and out doors on uneven or hilly terrain; lifting items weighing over 100 lbs, including human bodies; continuous wearing of duty belt (approx 15 lbs); frequent bending, stooping, pulling, pushing, climbing, running, driving.

Environmental Conditions: Working both indoors and out; exposure to noise and vibration, dust and fumes. Exposure to hazards associated with the duties of a police officer.

Note: Accommodations may be made for some of the essential functions / requirements listed for qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation, due to a qualified disability.

FOR MORE INFORMATION regarding this recruitment, please contact Commander Dwayne Collard [e-mail]

The City reserves the right to close the recruitment prior to the posted closing date.