Police Officer (Lateral)

The Department

The men and women of the Santa Clara Police Department take tremendous pride in providing the community with outstanding service through the "Santa Clara Way" of service. In partnership with the citizens, the team provides law enforcement services with professional and dedicated staff. The team will always identify and resolve problems utilizing all available resources and perform services professionally and with a high level of integrity. To learn more, visit our website.

The Position

This position is a sworn position in the Police Department. Incumbents perform various law enforcement duties which impact public safety, including responding to calls for service and investigating complaints. Primary functions are patrol assignments where incumbents monitor and respond to calls for service to protect people, property, and enforce City, County, and State laws. Performs related duties as assigned.

To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must upload at least a BASIC POST CERTIFICATE (proof of a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Basic POST Certificate).

Additional Information

Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Proof of a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Basic POST Certificate. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The annual salary range for this position is $155,827.80 - $198,864.72. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.

Education and Experience

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units of academic level courses at an accredited college or university AND proof of a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic certification, with at least two (2) years full-time, paid, recent police experience with a sheriff's department, state police, highway patrol, or municipal police department; OR
• Successful completion of California POST Basic Police Academy as a Recruit Police Officer with the Santa Clara Police Department.

Acceptable Substitution:

None.

License/Certifications

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at the time of appointment and for the duration of employment.
• Recruit Police Officers who complete the Basic Police Academy with the City of Santa Clara must possess and maintain a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic certification within eighteen (18) months of appointment.
• The minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code (GC) Sections 1029, 1031, 1031.4. Every California peace officer must be:
  o Free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions (GC 1029);
  o Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law (GC 1031); and
  o At least 21 years of age for specified peace officers (GC 1031.4)

Other Requirements

Physical and Other Requirements

• Must be at least 20 years of age at time of application filing and 21 years of age at time of job appointment;
• Must possess the strength and physical ability necessary to perform the essential functions of the position; and
• Must be willing to be fingerprinted.

Vision requirements:

• Vision including color, night, depth, and peripheral vision sufficient to perform all of the essential functions of the position.
• Visual acuity of not less than 20/80 vision in each eye uncorrected, and corrected to 20/30 in each eye.
• EXCEPTION: Applicants with correction afforded by soft contact lenses are exempt from the minimum uncorrected vision standard of 20/80, provided their corrected vision is 20/30 in each eye.

Hearing, speech, and mental capabilities sufficient to perform all of the essential functions of the position.

Special Conditions

• Required to work a basic workweek consisting of a “4/11 – 3/11” shift schedule, subject to the operational needs of the Department.
• May be required to work odd and unusual hours, including weekends and designated holidays, and to be subject to call-back in the performance of job duties.
• Candidates are required to pass the following City examinations prior to being given a conditional offer of employment: oral examination, reading/writing assessment, physical ability assessment, and personal history questionnaire.
• If given a conditional offer of employment, candidates must also pass a full background check which may include medical, psychological, and polygraph examination prior to appointment.

Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS: This position qualifies for Veteran’s Preference Points. Applicants who have separated from service (Active Duty Status) must submit proof of honorable discharge (Form DD214) with their application at time of filing or will be ineligible to have points added to their final score.

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.