Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate)

City of La Palma; La Palma (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement benefits

Medical insurance benefits

Wellness program

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Deferred compensation plan

Holidays and vacation accrual

Sick leave

Job summary

The City of La Palma is seeking police officers to Patrol City streets, respond to incidents, and conduct investigations in a fast-paced environment. You will work in a team-focused culture with opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Applicants must meet POST requirements, hold a high school diploma or GED, and maintain a California driver’s license. The department offers a competitive benefits package and a structured promotion pathway.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or G.E.D. is required.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.
• Must possess or have completed a POST Academy or POST Certificate within the last three years.

Responsibilities

• Patrol City in various modes and enforce laws; investigate incidents and make arrests as needed.
• Coordinate investigations, gather evidence, prepare reports, and testify in court.
• Provide public safety information and education; participate in training and officer development.

Skills

Observe accurately

Firearm handling

Emergency response

Communication skills

Physical fitness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Description

This is an open recruitment to fill (1) current vacancy and to establish an eligibility list used to fill future vacancies. Applications will be accepted on a CONTINUOUS BASES. Apply early as this position may close at any time without notice.
Effective July 1, 2025, New Hires Will Receive a Hiring Bonus Of $13,000.00. This Bonus Will Be Paid In Three Installments

• $5,000.00 will be paid on the first paycheck following the Employee's hire.
• $4,000.00 will be paid on the first paycheck after successfully completing the Employee's probationary period.
• $4,000.00 will be paid the first paycheck after forty-two (42) months of continued employment as a Police Officer.

The incumbent will enjoy a family environment and be a part of an enthusiastic work force that has its own spirit committee that facilitates monthly employee events. The incumbent will thrive working in this small culture environment allowing them to grow their knowledge, experience, resume, and prepare them for advancement by introducing them to a variety of law enforcement related projects and responsibilities. If you want to join a hard-working team that shares a commitment to keep the City of La Palma safe, clean, and efficiently run, consider a career with the City of La Palma.

Come be a part of our family and see what makes La Palma a nice place to live and work!

Scope of Work and Examples of Duties

Patrol

Patrols City in radio equipped car, on foot, on bicycle or motorcycle; answers calls for the protection of life and property and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws; conducts preliminary and follow up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, vehicle accidents, death, and other criminal incidents. Makes arrests as necessary; interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogates suspects; gathers and preserves evidence; testifies and presents evidence in court. Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses. Prepares reports of arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed. Checks buildings for physical security. Searches, fingerprints, and transports prisoners. Administer CPR and first aid as necessary. Establishes, fosters and maintains positive and harmonious working relationships with co workers, the general public, contractors, vendors, citizen groups, and elected officials. Assists in training and evaluating patrol personnel.

Traffic Safety

Patrols streets during designated times to control traffic safety conditions and to enforce traffic safety laws. Observes, monitors and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions; observes conditions and events which affect traffic safety and either takes corrective actions or reports such conditions and suggestions for improvement. Responds to calls related to traffic incidents and emergencies; responds to and investigates traffic accidents. Assists and advises motorists in traffic and pedestrian safety.

Court Services

Processes prisoners; serves warrants and subpoenas; files and processes misdemeanor and felony complaints.

Investigator

Coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gaming and narcotics violations. Participates in all law enforcement activities, including enforcing local and state laws, issuing citations, making arrests, administering first aid, and transporting prisoners. Performs undercover and surveillance activities. Prepares investigative reports and case information; provide evidence and testimony in court; answers questions from the public concerning local and State laws, procedures and Police Department activities. Interviews victims, complainants, witnesses and suspects; collects, preserves and maintains found property, property for safe keeping, and evidence that is involved with suspected crimes; serves warrants and subpoenas. Develops and maintains positive relationships with the public, including informants and contacts which may be helpful in criminal investigations.

Public Relations

Plans, coordinates and participates in law enforcement education and crime prevention programs for the general public; schools; youth organizations; civic, fraternal and community groups.

Training Officer

Develops, conducts and coordinates training programs; evaluates training and related equipment needs. Assists in recruitment and selection.

Other Duties

Incumbents may be assigned to work various and rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and are required to work overtime as directed. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment; applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations; P.O.S.T. standards. Ability to: Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places; use and care for firearms; think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately; learn, understand, and interpret laws, regulations, and policies; communicate clearly, accurately, concisely, legibly and with correct English grammar usage and spelling; estimate vehicle speed using physical evidence and mathematical formulas or graphs; sketch accident and crime scenes; learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system; restrain and/or subdue individuals by means of baton techniques, locks, grips, holds or restraining devices, such as handcuffs; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; communicate effectively with a variety of people of various socio cultural backgrounds; exercise tact, self restraint, judgment and strategy in dealing with a variety of people, adversaries and advocates; understand and carry out oral and written directions; meet the physical requirements established by the Department ; provide a high level of customer service.

Education and/or Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Example combinations include: Graduation from high school or G.E.D. is required. No prior police experience required for entry level, however, entry level applicants must possess a valid POST Certificate or must have completed an approved POST Academy within the last three years.

Required Licenses and Certificates

Possession of or ability to obtain an appropriate California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical Demands

The essential duties of this position require the incumbents to frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds and drag objects up to 160 pounds; climb or jump over fences, walls and other obstacles; climb up to elevated surfaces; use bodily force to gain entrance through barriers; run to pursue fleeing suspects on foot. Mediate confrontations with hostile or potentially hostile people; work under potentially hazardous or emergency conditions, such as in progress criminal activity, exchange of gunfire, unruly crowds and assemblies, raids and apprehensions of dangerous criminals, deadly attacks; engage in high speed pursuits driving on open roads or in congested areas; direct traffic using hand signals, flashlights, illuminated batons, flares, traffic cones or other barriers; remain calm in emergency situations. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The duties of this position frequently require working in outside weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts, in high precarious places or with explosives. This position occasionally requires exposure to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, vibration and loud noise levels.

Qualifications

The City offers a highly competitive compensation package which is dependent upon qualifications. The City's attractive benefits package includes the following:

• Retirement – The City offers the CalPERS 2% at 57 formula for new CalPERS members.; OR 2% at 55 formula for existing CalPERS members with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS reciprocal agency. Employees are responsible for paying the full Employee contribution through payroll deduction. The City pays a 1.25% incentive pay for PEPRA Safety Employees. Additional details on the City's retirement plan will be provided to candidates during the job offer process. For further information about CalPERS, please contact CalPERS directly. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the mandatory Medicare Program.
• Medical Insurance - The City contracts with CalPERS to offer medical insurance to employees and their eligible dependents. The City provides a monthly health benefit allowance to be used toward monthly health insurance premiums are currently $921.49 Employee Only, $1,411.49 Employee + 1, $1,670.49 Employee + 2.
• Wellness Program - All employees and their dependents are enrolled in a confidential Employee Assistance Program.
• Dental Insurance - The City provides dental coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. The City pays 100% of the premium and has a reimbursement program (up to 30%) for crowns.
• Vision Insurance - The City has a vision care reimbursement program (up to $400) per employee and their eligible dependents per fiscal year.
• Life Insurance – The City provides $100,000 in basic group term life insurance for employees with additional coverage for eligible dependents. Employees may purchase additional coverage by participating in AFLAC plans.
• Disability Insurance – The City provides short and long term disability insurance coverage with the City paying 100% of the premium.
• Flexible Spending Accounts – The City currently offers a flexible spending account plan through which employees may set aside pre-tax dollars for a wide variety of eligible non-reimbursable medical expenses for themselves or their eligible dependents and/or eligible dependent care expenses.
• Additional Insurance Opportunities – The City contracts with AFLAC to provide additional health, dental, and life insurance coverage, as well as many other reimbursable plans. Employees may set up these accounts as pre-tax dollars.
• Deferred Compensation Accounts – The City offers employees the option to defer pre-tax earnings through the ICMA-RC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan; contributions are at the employee's discretion.
• Retiree Health Benefits – The City contributes the minimum Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) contribution, currently $416 per month, toward retiree medical insurance for retirees who elect to continue their CalPERS medical coverage into retirement. The City does not offer retiree dental or vision coverage.
• Holidays - Ten (10) paid fixed holidays and 32 hours of paid floating holiday time annually are provided. Employees are required to use either floating holiday time, vacation time, or compensatory time to facilitate a holiday closure between Christmas and New Years.
• Vacation - Full-time employees entering service after July 1, 2011, earn 80 hours of annual vacation leave per year and can accrue a total balance of 120 hours, increasing incrementally after 5 years of service.
• Sick Leave – 96 hours per year and can accrue a total balance of 760 hours.
• Professional Achievement Program – Police Officers are eligible to receive: Intermediate POST Certificate 2.5% of base salary; Advanced POST Certificate 5% of base salary; or 2.5% of base salary for an Associate of Arts Degree; and 5% of base salary for a Bachelors Degree.
• Special Assignment Pay – Investigation Bureau or School Resource Officer receives 5% of base pay during assignment; Corporal-in-Charge Pay receives $100/shift only when acting as Patrol Supervisor. Field Training Officer receives $200 per month.
• Bilingual Pay – The City offers employees the opportunity to test once per year for bilingual accuracy. After successfully passing an interactive test, the employee will receive $150/month. Testing is renewed biannually in order to continue receiving the stipend.
• Work Hours – Safety full-time employees work a three day work week/12 hour work days; Non-Safety Dispatchers full-time employees work a four day work week/10 hour work days; Non-Safety full-time employees work a four day work week/10 hour work days, a 40 hour work week, Monday - Thursday.