Police Officer- Lateral Only

City of Martinez; Martinez (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Martinez, through the Martinez Police Department, seeks a Police Officer to patrol assigned beats, enforce laws, respond to emergencies, and contribute to investigations. The position operates within Neighborhood Policing Areas, participates in training, and may perform field training, with requirements including POST certification, firearms, and driving standards.

Applicants must meet education and experience, pass medical, background checks, and be able to work flexible hours;

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• POST Basic Course certification or valid waiver required.
• Must meet POST and California Government Code Section 1031 criteria.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned areas by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot to preserve law and order.
• Responds to calls for protection of life, property, and general public service; conducts investigations.
• Prepares and serves warrants; apprehends offenders; controls crowds and traffic at events.
• Directs traffic during emergencies and special events; provides public safety information.
• Testifies in court and prepares evidence; performs related duties to support enforcement services.
• Trains and assists less experienced personnel; may serve as Field Training Officer.

Skills

Strong communication

Public relations

Decision making under pressure

Physical fitness

Education

High school diploma or GED

POST certification or valid waiver

Tools

Office software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases)

Firearms operation & maintenance

Job description

The members of the Martinez Police Department are dedicated to providing the highest quality police services. The Department has a staff of 53 FTE’s, (37 sworn and 16 FTE professional staff), with an annual operating budget of $16.6 million. The Martinez Police Department offers a full slate of policing services to the community, including officers dedicated to investigations, traffic enforcement, tactical unit, canine (K-9) units, homeless outreach, crisis intervention, and community engagement/social media. Active reserve officer and cadet programs supplement the Department and further strengthen community involvement.

The Department operates its own communications center, providing 24/7 emergency and non-emergency dispatch services for the Martinez Police Department and other agencies. The Department assigns its officers in Neighborhood Policing Areas to further engage the community.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, to patrol an assigned beat in the enforcement of law and order; to carry out special assignments in the protection of life and property; and to do related work as required.

Distinguishing characteristics

The Police Officer is a journey-level law enforcement class that performs the full scope of assigned law enforcement duties and responsibilities under general supervision. While incumbents are normally assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic enforcement, all functional areas of the law enforcement field, including investigation, youth services, administration, and training are included. New incumbents may have limited related experience but are expected to learn the full range of duties and responsibilities, perform duties with minimal direct supervision, and exercise sound judgment and discretion in making decisions. This class is distinguished from Police Sergeant in that the latter is the first supervisory level in this sworn class series who perform more complex and difficult tasks and are responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of staff on an assigned shift.

Representative Duties

This section contains a list of duties that are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Patrols assigned areas of the City by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot to preserve law and order, discover and prevent commission of crimes, and to enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; maintains awareness of and remains alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators, and crimes in progress; issues warnings and citations;
• Responds to calls for the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, general public service calls, and complaints including those involving automobile accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, health code and local ordinance violations, property control, civil complaints, and related incidents; responds to and provides assistance at a variety of public service type calls that are non-criminal in nature; Conducts initial and follow-up investigations at scenes of incidents; determines what, if any, crime has been committed; collects, preserves, processes, photographs and books evidence; locates and interviews victims and witnesses; identifies and interrogates suspects;
• Prepares and serves search and arrest warrants; apprehends and arrests or cites offenders for crimes committed under federal, state, and local laws and codes; controls and mitigates people under the influence of drugs or alcohol or other potentially hostile situations;
• Directs traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency situations; provides traffic and crowd control at parades, festivals, riots, and other events;
• Serves as liaison and public relations officer for the assigned area; establishes and preserves good relationships with the general public; may develop reliable informants and provide intelligence information to divisional and/or departmental personnel;
• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses; may respond to requests for assistance from agencies outside the City for mutual aid in the suppression of civil disturbances, apprehension of criminals, or other related requests;
• Performs a variety of administrative and other types of duties in support of law enforcement services, programs, and activities; attends meetings; maintains and calibrates specialized equipment;
• Inspects establishments providing alcoholic beverages and entertainment;
• Administers CPR and first aid in cases of emergency; requests medical attention when necessary;
• Testifies in juvenile, civil, traffic, municipal, and criminal courts, and parole and DMV hearings; prepares and presents evidence; responds to mandatory court calls during irregular hours; Serves subpoenas;
• Participates in training conferences and programs to enhance law enforcement skills including defensive driving skills, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills;
• Practices the use of firearms;
• Conducts property and building checks for burglary and other criminal activity;
• Conducts chemical, drug, and alcohol testing;
• Prepares a variety of reports including those on activities, operations, arrests made, and unusual incidents observed; prepares investigative reports and case information;
• Assumes responsibility for the care and custody of detained persons; assists in receiving, searching, booking, fingerprinting, and transporting prisoners;
• Occasionally relieves a superior officer;
• Responds to questions, concerns, and requests for service from the general public; answers questions from the public concerning local and state laws, procedures, and activities of the department; provides information as appropriate and resolves complaints;
• May train and assist less experienced personnel as assigned; may serve as a Field Training Officer; documents trainee progress and prepares evaluations; serves as acting watch commander as assigned;
• When assigned, operates a motorcycle in traffic enforcement;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. No supervision of staff is exercised.

Qualifications/Education/Experience

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Minimum Qualifications

A high school graduate, passed the General Education Development test or other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution. Graduation from a California POST approved police academy or possession of a valid POST Basic Course Waiver. Incumbents must meet criteria mandated by the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) and California Government Code Section 1031.

Desirable

An associate's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in criminal justice, psychology, business administration, public administration or related field.

Other Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age. Possession of a valid California driver’s license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and a satisfactory driving record. Must pass a medical examination, drug screen, polygraph examination, and a psychological and background investigation. Free of any felony convictions under California Government Code Section 1029.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Law Enforcement Knowledge

• Principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and suspect pursuit, apprehension, and transport.
• Standard operating procedures and operations of a police department.
• Investigative techniques, procedures, and equipment, including identification methods and sources of information.
• Principles and practices used in the identification, preservation, and presentation of evidence.
• Methods and techniques used in interviewing witnesses, victims, and suspects.
• Principles and applications of public relations.
• Standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Laws, regulations, departmental policies, rules, and procedures relevant to law enforcement.

Safety and Emergency Practices

• Safety practices and equipment used in law enforcement, including proper care and handling of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons.
• First aid techniques and CPR.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety procedures.
• Techniques and applications of self-defense and proper use of force.

Technical and Operational Skills

• Operation, care, and maintenance of firearms and modern police equipment.
• Safe operation of motor vehicles under patrol and emergency conditions.
• Use and care of department-issued automobiles, motorcycles, and small firearms.
• Use of office equipment and computer applications and technology, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Communication and Reporting

• Strong command of English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Methods and techniques of clear and accurate report writing and preparation.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both orally and in writing.
• Capability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Interpersonal and Community Relations

• Techniques for working effectively with individuals from diverse age groups, socio-economic backgrounds, and ethnic communities.
• Ability to represent the City positively in public interactions.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues and the public.
• Responsiveness to community issues, concerns, and needs.

Analytical and Cognitive Abilities

• Keen observational skills and the ability to accurately recall names, faces, numbers, incidents, and locations.
• Capacity to analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action, particularly in emergency or high-stress environments.
• Quick and responsible decision-making under pressure.

Physical and Scheduling Requirements

• Maintain good physical health, endurance, agility, and meet POST physical standards.
• Undergo and sustain strenuous physical conditioning.
• Work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts.

SELECTION PROCESS

This recruitment is open and continuous. Your responses to the Supplemental Questions will be scored to determine your placement on the eligibility list. T&E Exam (weighted at 100%). Departmental Hiring Interviews will held in person.

CERTIFICATIONS

Applicants must submit the following documentation, for their status, with their application:

• Laterals - A current Basic P.O.S.T. certificate (or higher level)
• Candidates who require POST recertification are encouraged to submit an application for a Police Officer Trainee recruitment

Note: Please have your certificate scanned and ready to upload during your application process as the system will not allow you to make the addition afteryour applicationis submitted.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Patrol works 3/12 schedule, Investigations and other special assignments work 4/10 schedule.

PROBATIONARY PERIODS

Lateral officers must successfully pass a 12 month probationary period. Police Academy Graduates must successfully pass an 18 month probationary period.

NOTES

This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by the Martinez Police Officers' Association.

FLSA Designation

Non-Exempt

Essential Functions Job Description

EFJD #7

The complete essential function job description is available in the Human Resources Division.