Police Officer - Lateral

Lateral Police Officer $15,000 Signing Bonus

Candidates hired by the City of El Monte as a Lateral Police Officer are eligible to receive a signing bonus of $15,000.

Payable in two (2) equal installments: First payment due at time of hire and the second payment at the one (1) year employment anniversary.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances; patrols areas of the City and conducts surveillance; assists in the preparation of cases and testifies in court; serves in specialized departmental roles as assigned; provides information and assistance to the public; and performs related work as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This sworn classification is responsible for independently performing law enforcement duties in support of the Police Department. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from Police Sergeant in that the latter is the first supervisory level in this sworn class series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of staff on an assigned shift.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public.
• Patrols an area of the City to observe and address suspicious or potential criminal activity; responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, and other incidents to protect public safety and property, resolve problems, diffuse situations, and enforce laws and ordinances.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers or issues citations as appropriate; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles and arranges for removal of stranded vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or other congested situations.
• Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody and may transport them for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer-term facility, as required.
• Secures crime scenes and evidence; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves evidence; performs complete investigations and/or cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.
• Provides emergency medical attention to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests appropriate medical assistance as necessary.
• Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy.
• Prepares and maintains reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• Assignment Areas:
  • Investigation Services – conducts criminal and civil case investigations; interviews victims, witnesses, suspects, and other parties to obtain leads and establish the nature and causes of potential crimes and violations of statutes; conducts background investigations for proper business, and alcoholic beverage licenses; researches various records and prepares investigative and special reports.
    • Conducts comprehensive investigations into felony and high-level crimes including conducting surveillance activities and coordinating and maintaining crime scene activities.
  • Traffic – enforces specialized Traffic and Motor Vehicle Codes and prepares traffic and collision reports and investigation records; sets up DUI monitoring; coordinates work with Department of Motor Vehicles and Courts; attends meetings, prepares logs, and makes presentations.
  • K9 – works with a canine partner in the execution of their duties; assumes responsibility for the training, health, care, feeding and well-being of the partner on the job and off the job, ensuring an adequate and secure space for the canine in the Officer's residence; responds to mutual aid calls where the use of a K9 officer is prescribed.
  • S.W.A.T. Detail – responds to emergency calls involving hostages, barricaded suspects, suicide threats, bomb threats, deadly use of force, high risk search and arrest warrant service, and related incidents involving public safety.
  • Professional Standards Units – oversees or conducts background and subrosa investigations; compiles background investigator findings, references, education, and responses from various law enforcement agencies and prepares complete background file for hiring approval by Chief of Police or designee.
  • Field Training Officer – supervises and evaluates new police officers by conducting training in the field; observes and affirms proficiency, and/or recommends any needed additional training.
  • Corporal – assists higher level sworn supervisory or management staff in scheduling, organizing and overseeing staff and operations within an assigned shift.
• Assists the City Attorney or the District Attorney staff in preparing, documenting, and developing cases and gathering information; testifies in court as required.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in law enforcement.
• Oversees the use and care of equipment as required.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Operations and services of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement department.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of law enforcement including patrol, investigations, and special operations functions.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to the search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of criminal law, investigation, interrogation, and crime prevention.
• Operational characteristics of vehicles and equipment used in law enforcement.
• Criminal court system processes and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of interviewing and eliciting information from victims and witnesses.
• Causes, prevention, and control of juvenile delinquency.
• Traffic control, enforcement, and education methods.
• Police records, communications, property, and custody system operations.
• Procedures in handling warrants, filing complaints, court appearances, and testifying.
• Investigation and identification techniques and equipment.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons.
• Methods and techniques of preparing police reports and related documentation.
• Techniques of first aid and CPR.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations and protocols
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform law enforcement duties within an assigned program area to ensure the protection and safety of citizens and property.
• Observe accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places.
• Interpret apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
• Conduct effective interviews with victims and witnesses.
• Pursue, apprehend and subdue suspects in accordance with mandated procedures.
• Process crime scenes and maintain chain of custody of evidence.
• Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible manner.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade. Specialized training in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field is highly desirable.

Experience:

Current employment by a California Police Department for a minimum of one (1) year, having successfully completed the probationary period with that department;

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a Basic Certificate issued by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work primarily in a patrol and field environment and to maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; vision to operate vehicles in all conditions, frequently at a high rate of speed, to maintain firearms qualification and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio.

The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking or running or standing on uneven terrain, and climbing and descending structures to access crime scenes and to identify problems or hazards; vision and manual dexterity to operate an emergency response vehicle at high rates of speed in emergency situations. Finger and manual dexterity is needed to operate police services equipment and firearms, and to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work. Employees must possess the ability to apprehend, lift, carry, push, and pull victims, suspects and equipment as determined within P.O.S.T physical standards.

Positions also work in a secondary office or station environment, and use standard office equipment, including a computer.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in outdoor conditions, and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, moving vehicles, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees also work in an office or station environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The principal duties of this class are performed in a field or police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases.

E-Verify : The City of El Monte is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility newly hired employees in the United States.