Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate)

Signal Hill Police Department; Signal Hill (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Signal Hill Police Department is hiring for a Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate) in Signal Hill, CA. The role requires current CA POST Certification, CA POST academy graduation, and at least one year with a POST-approved agency.

Applications are processed online with exam dates tentative. Successful candidates will patrol, enforce laws, train, and perform a variety of law enforcement tasks, including traffic control, investigations, and arrests, while serving the community with

Qualifications

• Must be a current non-probationary police officer in good standing with at least one year of experience with a California POST-approved agency and possession of a California Basic POST Certificate.
• California Basic POST Certificate or Waiver.
• California Applicants: employed full-time for at least one continuous year in the State of California as a Peace Officer and possession of a valid Basic POST Certificate (proof required with application).
• Out of State Applicants: employed full-time for at least one continuous year of sworn general law enforcement experience and possession of the Basic Course Waiver (BCW) from POST (proof required with application).
• Must be a graduate of a California POST-certified academy.

Responsibilities

• Patrol the City in a radio-equipped car and respond to calls for life and property protection and law enforcement.
• Serve as Watch Commander and assist the Field Sergeant with supervisory duties.
• Train and evaluate officers in policy, procedures, and tactics as a field training officer.
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence.
• Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Transport prisoners to court; file warrants and subpoenas; support warrant processing.

Education

California POST-certified academy

Job description

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE JOB BULLETIN, MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HIRING STANDARDS BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION.

Join the City of Signal Hill Police Department for a rewarding career, where Officers care about their community and the community supports its Officers. The Department is devoted to enhancing the quality of life in the City by providing a proactive and professional level of police service, and treating all persons with fairness, respect, and dignity.

The City of Signal Hill is not only a small 2.2-square-mile city. It is also a tight-knit and peaceful community that recognizes and appreciates the value of its Police Department. The Signal Hill Police Department has a state-of-the-art facility, technology, equipment, and a great relationship with the community, making us THE PLACE TO WORK in Los Angeles County.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the job announcement in its entirety before submitting an application for this position.

Application and Selection Process

Applications are being accepted on a continuous basis in order to meet the needs of the City. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.

Applications must be completed and submitted online. Candidates are required to provide specific information on their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Proof of required documents, such as Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate/Waiver, or DD-214 for Veteran’s Credit, must be uploaded to the online application at the time of filing. No email documents will be accepted. Applications may be rejected if incomplete (resumes are not accepted in lieu of application). Failure to submit all required materials will result in disqualification. Candidate notifications are sent via email. Please make sure your email address is correct and check your email periodically during the application process.

POLICE OFFICER LATERAL

Must be a current non-probationary police officer in good standing with at least one year experience with a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) approved agency and possession of a California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate.

• California Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate or Waiver
• California Applicants: Employed full-time for at least one continuous year in the State of California as a Peace Officer and possession of a valid Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate issued by the State of California (proof required with application).
• Out of State Applicants: Employed full-time for at least one continuous year of sworn general law enforcement experience and possession of the Basic Course Waiver (BCW) from P.O.S.T. (proof required with application).

POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATE

Must be a graduate of a California P.O.S.T. certified academy.

• Proof of graduation from a California P.O.S.T. certified academy.

Please note the exam dates listed below are tentative and subject to change. Please regularly monitor your email for communication regarding exam dates.

Interview 90% December 2026

Writing Skills Exercise 10% December 2026

Command Staff Interview Qualifying TBD

Under general supervision, performs law enforcement and crime prevention work; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic regulations; performs investigative work, and performs a variety of technical law enforcement tasks.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include, but are not limited to the following characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics.

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Patrol

• As a Patrol Officer, patrol the City in a radio-equipped car; respond to calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robbery, death, and other criminal incidents.
• As a Senior Officer, serve as Watch Commander and assist the Field Sergeant with supervisory duties.
• As a field training officer, train and evaluate officers in law enforcement policies, procedures, and tactics; prepare related reports.
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed.
• Stop drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; warn drivers against unlawful practices; issue citations and make arrests as necessary.
• Check buildings for physical security.
• Search, fingerprint, and transport prisoners.
• Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public.
• Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required.
• Transport prisoners to court; serve warrants and subpoenas; retrieve and request information involving arrests and subpoenas; file complaints and perform other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.
• Assist with the service of warrants within the Department and with outside agencies; provide functional guidance to clerical staff involved in warrant processing; keep up-to-date on laws and procedures required for processing warrants.
• Administer first aid as necessary.