Police Officer Lateral (Experienced Only)

City of Tustin; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement benefits

Job summary

The City of Tustin Police Department is seeking a Police Officer Lateral (experienced only) to perform law enforcement and crime prevention duties. The role includes patrols, investigations, arrests, reports, and court testifying.

Applicants must be current or recent police officers and meet minimum qualifications described by the department. Selected candidates will be enrolled in CalPERS Safety retirement plans (2% @ 50 for Classic members, 2.7% @ 57 for others) and work on day, evening, or

Qualifications

• Must be currently employed as a Police Officer, or have been employed as a Police Officer within the last six months.
• High school graduation or equivalent required, college education desirable.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas, respond to calls, make arrests and issue citations, investigate crimes and preserve evidence.
• Conduct interviews, testify in court, prepare reports and assist with public safety and crime prevention.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

California Basic Police Academy

Job description

Description

The City of Tustin Police Department is currently seeking applicants for Police Officer Lateral (experienced only).

and is conducted on a continuous basis to meet the needs of the City as vacancies occur and may close at any time.

• NOTE*** Newly hired sworn police employees will be enrolled in one of the City's CalPERS Safety plans for retirement benefits. Individuals who are considered "current members" of CalPERS as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013 (e.g. enrolled in a CalPERS or reciprocal retirement plan within six months of start date) will be enrolled in the2% at 50 plan; all other individuals will be enrolled in the2.7% at 57 plan.

This position, under general supervision, performs law enforcement and crime prevention work in the protection of life and property. Patrols assigned areas in a radio equipped patrol vehicle or on foot; answers calls for assistance from the public; makes arrests and issues citations for violations of laws or ordinances; investigates misdemeanors and felonies; secures and preserves crime scenes and evidence for further investigation; investigates traffic accidents; conducts interviews with victims, witnesses and suspects; testifies in court, often during off‑day hours; provides information to the general public; escorts and transports prisoners; prepares comprehensive reports; safeguards life and property; renders first aid to the injured in emergency situations and other related duties as assigned. Applicants must be available to work day, evening and late night/early morning shifts, weekends and holidays.

Selection Process

• Physical Agility
• Oral Interview
• Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination
• Police Chief's Interview
• Psychological and Medical Examinations (upon conditional offer of employment)

Candidates successfully completing all components of the selection process will be placed on an employment eligibility list from which hires may be made. The eligible list is valid for one year. The duration of the selection process typically lasts 6-9 months.

• IMPORTANT***A comprehensive background investigation and polygraph will be conducted on any eligible persons considered for hire. Recent drug usage, theft or other illegal activity may be grounds for disqualification. A pre-employment medical, psychological evaluation AND a drug screen will be conducted upon a conditional offer of employment.

Examples of Duties

• Patrols, either in a vehicle or on foot, an assigned area during an assigned shift and looks for indicators of possible criminal activity or threats to life and property; answers calls for police services; enforces City, county, and state laws; makes field contacts and completes forms; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, vehicle accidents, suspected homicides, and other criminal incidents
• Responds to calls related to traffic incidents and other emergencies; observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions; assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws
• Makes arrests as necessary; serves warrants and subpoenas; conducts searches and seizures involving people, vehicles and structures; interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogates suspects; gathers and preserves evidence; receives, searches, and books prisoners; fingerprints and transports prisoners; testifies and presents evidence in court
• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders
• Writes reports and field notes; participates in staff development; attends briefings and training sessions; performs routine maintenance on assigned patrol vehicle, firearms, and other equipment
• Makes traffic stops and issues warnings, citations, or makes arrests as necessary; checks vehicles and observes vehicle occupants; investigates scenes of vehicle accidents, provides emergency medical care as necessary, directs traffic and arranges for clearing of the roadway, interviews drivers and witnesses and prepares reports; directs traffic during a fire, special event, and other emergency or congested situations
• Assists the public and answers questions; administers first aid and responds to calls for medical assistance; establishes and maintains good relationships with the general public
• As assigned, makes presentations before a variety of public groups to promote crime prevention activities and to enhance public understanding of Police Department activities; serves as liaison to neighborhood watch groups and schools
• May conduct traffic control and security at parades and/or sporting events; takes information and writes reports; transports evidence; enforces parking regulations; may transport prisoners

Minimum Qualifications

Age: 21 years at time of appointment.

License/Certificates: At time of appointment, candidate must possess a valid California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record.

Experience/Education: High school graduation or equivalent required. Candidates must have successfully completed an approved California Basic Police Academy. Must be currently employed as a Police Officer, or have been employed as a Police Officer within the last six months. College education is desirable.

Skill in: Writing legibly using correct English sentence structure and grammar; driving a vehicle safely under varied and sometimes difficult conditions.

Authorization to Work: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Background/Character: Free from conviction of a felony or serious misdemeanor; demonstrates maturity, good judgment and ethical behavior; willing to perform non-traditional and innovative duties to improve the community, police relations and moral standards compatible with law enforcement.

Physical: Must be in excellent physical condition; weight in proportion to height; normal hearing; vision 20/100 correctable to 20/20; normal color vision and physically capable of performing the duties of a Police Officer.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

For a complete class specification, CLICK HERE.

The City of Tustin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN

The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee to use toward the purchase of individual or family health coverage, dental plans, vision coverage, additional life insurance, deferred compensation, and other optional benefits. Currently, the flexible benefit amount for Employee + 2 is $1811 per month.

The City contracts through CalPERS medical program (PEMHCA) which offers multiple PPO and HMO options for health insurance providers. Employees also have the choice of Delta Dental PPO or HMO plans.

RETIREMENT

Employees will be enrolled in a defined benefit (pension) plan with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS determines the retirement plan in which a new employee will be enrolled based on the individual's membership status with CalPERS or a reciprocal retirement system on the individual's first day of employment with the City.

Classic CalPERS members will be enrolled in the 2% @ 50 plan, with an employee contribution of 12% (pre‑tax). New CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), will be enrolled in the 2.7% @ 57 plan, with an employee contribution of 13.75% (pre‑tax). The City does not participate in Social Security, though participation Medicare is mandatory (1.45% employee contribution).

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The City shall contribute $37 per month for each unit employee (except Police Recruits) to a 457 deferred compensation plan. Employees may elect to defer additional earnings, on a pre‑tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. The City contracts with Nationwide Retirement Services.

GENERAL LEAVE

General Leave may be used for vacation and/or illness. Annual accrual amounts increase from 160 to 248 with years of service. Annually, employees may request to cash out of a portion of their accrued General Leave.

HOLIDAYS

The City has 13 paid holidays per calendar year.

EDUCATIONAL/POST INCENTIVE PAY

• BA/BS degree - $412.50/month
• Masters degree - $462.50/month
• Police Officers shall receive 5% of base salary for having an Intermediate POST certificate and 10% for having an Advanced POST certificate.

LONGEVITY PAY

An employee who has been continuously employed by the City of Tustin in any full‑time position for between 10-19 years and 364 days shall receive 2.5% of base salary. Employees with 20 years or more shall receive 5% of base salary for longevity pay.

LIFE INSURANCE

Full‑Time employees receive a $100,000 life insurance policy.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

Employees receive Long‑Term Disability benefits through The Tustin Police Officers Association (TPOA).

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE

The City provides a uniform maintenance allowance of $429 per year for those full‑time employees required to wear a City uniform.

ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULE

Employees in this bargaining unit may be assigned the 3/12.5 or 4/10 alternative work schedules.

RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE

Employees who retire from the City of Tustin with ten (10) years of full‑time service and continue enrollment in the City's health plan are eligible for reimbursement of $350 per month toward retiree health insurance costs. Employees first hired into a benefitted position with the City of Tustin prior to July 1, 2011 are eligible for this benefit after five (5) years of service.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

After passing the probationary period, employees may request reimbursement up to a maximum of $4000 per calendar year for tuition and related expenses when attending a community college or four‑year university.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of legal and counseling services.

MEDICARE

All newly hired employees contribute a portion of gross salary for Medicare coverage. The employee contribution to Medicare is 1.45%.

SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM

The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre‑tax basis.

Additional Pay

The City has additional forms of pay for designated positions. Examples of additional pay include Bilingual Pay, Stand‑by Pay, Call‑Back Pay, Court Pay, Special Assignment, and Shift Differential.