Lateral Police Officers

NOTE: To apply for the position of Lateral Police Officer, candidates must possess a California Basic POST Certificate.

Candidates who are bilingual, have a military background, or experience working with diverse populations, and/or involvement in community initiatives are encouraged to apply!

As lateral candidates can now bring their sworn years of service to count towards vacation accrual rate, and longevity years of services, the posted top step lateral salary includes:

Questions? Reach out to the #WSPD Senior Analyst at ***email_hidden***

Monthly Amount Displayed Includes The Following

1. Base pay: $10,155 top step
2. Education Incentive: 6.75% (4.25% for a Bachelor's Degree and 2.5% for a Masters Degree for a total of 6.75%)
3. Longevity pay: 10% (5% for 10 years of Sworn POST service, 7.5% at 12 years of sworn POST service, and 10% at 15 years of Sworn POST service)
4. POST Certificates: 9.85% (4.85% for Intermediate POST certificate & 5% for an Advanced POST certificate)
5. Fitness incentive - $27.50 Per pay period
6. Career Enhancement/Wellness Reimbursement - $1000 Annually

Lateral Police Officer will also receive 80 hours of paid time off at the time of hire.

Application Process: Candidates are encouraged to apply on-line using the Government Jobs web site and visiting the City of West Sacramento's employment page. The Governmentjobs.com application is considered an official City application. Be sure to submit all required documents.

1) POST Basic certificate or higher; and

2) A resume.

Apply by going to:

DEFINITION : Under direction of a Police Sergeant, performs law enforcement and crime prevention work; enforces traffic regulations; performs investigative work; participates in and provides assistance and support to special department crime prevention and enforcement programs; and performs a variety of technical law enforcement tasks. Technical and functional supervision may be provided by higher level police personnel. Assignments may require supervision of non-sworn personnel and volunteers.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS -- Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions: Patrols the City in a radio-equipped car; answers calls for the protection of life and property; enforces all applicable laws; patrols the City on a motorcycle or in a patrol vehicle; responds to calls related to traffic incidents and any other required emergencies; observes, monitors, and controls routing and unusual traffic conditions; assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws; makes arrests as necessary; interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogates suspects; gathers and preserves evidence; testifies and presents evidence in court; conduct basic preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, deaths or other criminal incidents; contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses; prepares reports on arrests made, activities performed and unusual incidents observed; checks buildings for physical security; serves warrants and subpoenas; requests and retrieves information involving arrests and subpoenas; files complaints and performs the work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints; searches, fingerprints, and transports prisoners; maintains contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserves good relationships with the general public; participates in crime prevention programs and activities; assists with the service of warrants within the department and with outside agencies; keeps up to date on laws and procedures for processing warrants; coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigations of crimes; performs some identification duties such as collect, file, and oversees the maintenance of certain evidence, photographs, fingerprints; provides training and advises other officers in this area.

Marginal Functions: Administers First Aid as necessary; directs traffic at fires, special events and other emergencies or congested situations; performs limited crime laboratory analysis; performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE : Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Other: Twenty-one (21) years of age or older. Lateral Entry: One (1) year experience in a municipal or general law enforcement agency.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES : Possession of a valid California driver's license. Lateral Entry: Proof of possession of a California Basic POST Certificate. Entry level: Completion of POST Basic Academy.

WORKING CONDITIONS : Work in an emergency peace control environment; work in intense life-threatening conditions; exposure to dangerous persons, firearms, bodily fluids, and noise; running, walking, crawling, climbing, stooping and lifting; work in inclement weather conditions.

Physical Abilities Examination: Prior to appointment, candidates must receive a passing score on the West Sacramento Police Department Physical Agility Test or submit an equivalent passing score.

For a detailed description of our Physical Agility Test, please click the following link:

An applicant who qualifies for veterans’ preference and successfully places on an eligibility list for initial entrance into employment with the city shall be advanced one rank on the final eligibility list. Where there are five (5) or less qualified applicants, no veterans’ preference shall apply and all applicants shall be placed on the certification list forwarded to the departments for hiring consideration. The exercise of veterans’ preference shall be exhausted upon appointment to a regular position from an eligibility list.

An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out, in its entirety. It is the applicant's responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly. In addition, applicants must submit a resume and complete the required supplemental questionnaire (if applicable). Incomplete information on the application, resume and/or supplemental questionnaire may be cause for disqualification. Application packages will be reviewed and screened for qualifications. Additional screening criteria will be developed based on the supplemental questionnaire (if applicable).