Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate)

La Palma Police Department; La Palma (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring bonus $13,000

Job summary

The City of La Palma Police Department is seeking an entry-level Police Officer to join a small, dedicated team. This open recruitment fills one vacancy and creates an eligibility list for future openings, with applications accepted on a continuous basis and early application encouraged.

Effective July 1, 2025, a hiring bonus of $13,000 will be paid in three installments as described, with opportunities for growth, training, and serving the community in a dynamic, family-oriented department.

Qualifications

• This is the entry level classification in the professional police series requiring sworn peace officer status.
• Some assignments may be determined by the Chief of Police; prior experience with the La Palma Police Department may be required for certain duties.

Responsibilities

• Patrol 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
• observ

Skills

Patrol operations

Investigation

Arrest procedures

CPR/First Aid

Report writing

Traffic control

Interagency cooperation

Evidence handling

Job 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: 1. $5,000.00 will be paid on the first paycheck following the Employee's hire. 2. $4,000.00 will be paid on the first paycheck after successfully completing the Employee's probationary period. 3. $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.

Performs law enforcement and crime prevention work; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic regulations; performs investigative work; participates in and provides support and assistance to special department crime-prevention and enforcement programs; performs related duties as required.

This is the entry level classification in the professional police series requiring sworn peace officer status. Positions allocated to the Police Officer class are assigned to a number of functional areas within the Police Department; some of the duties assigned, as determined by the Chief of Police, require prior experience with the La Palma Police Department.

The City of La Palma does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, or disability. Equal employment opportunity will apply to all personnel actions, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, training, transfers, promotions, evaluation, compensation, discipline, layoffs, terminations, and rehires.

NOTE: All employees of the City of La Palma are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be a Disaster Service Workers; In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health, and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change.

Essential duties including, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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
• observ