Police Officer (Lateral)

Salary: $8,187.00 - $9,951.00 Monthly
Location : 2200 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: POL0426
Department: Police
Opening Date: 04/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Welcome
This recruitment is subject to close without advance notice.
Interview date: TBD
Competitive Wages :

4% COLA increase effective July 1, 2026
Signing/Recruiting/Retention Bonus

The City provides a signing bonus to employees hired after July 1, 2019. The employee will receive a bonus for each qualifying event:

First Day of Employment: Twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00)

Eighteen (18) Months of Employment: Twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00)

Forty-Two (42) Months of Employment: Twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00)

The City of San Marino has a full-time Police Officer (Lateral) position available in the Police Department. The City is seeking a seasoned law enforcement professional to join our team. If you are interested in joining a team that is motivated by public service and committed to protecting our community, apply today!


The San Marino Police Department's motto is Pride in Service - join a team that cares about providing a high level of service to our community and to those we serve. The San Marino Police Department is comprised of 32 sworn officers and 11.5 civilian staff. San Marino Police Department is led by a Chief of Police, two Bureau Commanders and a Civilian Administrative Manager. The sergeants, corporals, and officers are assigned to patrol or detective functions, as well as other collateral administrative duties.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, a Police Officer is responsible to patrol an assigned area in the prevention of crime and the enforcement of law and order; carry out special assignments in the protection of life and property and perform related tasks as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a sworn law enforcement classification under Section 830.1 of the California Penal Code that meets and maintains all standards required by P.O.S.T. Officers report to a Police Sergeant on an assigned rotating watch. Officers receive training and day-to-day direction from the Sergeants as first line supervisor and/or Corporals as Shift Commanders and maintain close working relationships with officers and other command staff, as well as department personnel in the communications, records, and administration. Officers may be assigned to provide training for new officers and other department personnel.

Essential Functions
The duties, skills, and demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties, skills, and demands.

Duties:

• Patrol an assigned area on foot, bike or by motor vehicle to suppress crime and enforce state law, city ordinances or regulations.
• Handle specialized duties in the traffic enforcement, accident investigation, criminal investigation or records section.
• Respond to calls for service as directed.
• Note and report traffic hazards; Direct traffic; investigate and prepare reports on accidents, crimes, and miscellaneous activities.
• Provide directions and information to the public and community members.
• Make physical arrests; issue citations or verbal warnings; and prepare reports on arrests and store or impound property.
• Intervene in private or public disputes, as necessary, to protect the public and to maintain order.
• Appear in court, whether on or off duty, as the arresting officer, or as a witness.
• Transport detainees, investigate complaints, interrogate suspects, and interview victims or witnesses.
• Write a daily log of activities, operate a radio in dispatching patrol units, fingerprint prisoners, take photographs of prisoners, crime or accident scenes, and accept bail and give receipts.
• Utilize computer equipment to access information and complete reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of

• The safe use of firearms handheld and shoulder weapons, batons, chemical agents, handcuffs, other restraints, and other specialized law enforcement weapons and equipment.
• Familiarity with standard office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software, CAD, portable radio, 2-way radio, binoculars, and night viewing devices.
• Local, State, and Federal requirements for sworn public safety officers.
• Standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Law enforcement terminology concepts, and department policies and performance standards.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws and appropriate court decisions, including those relating to civil liability and P.O.S.T. training standards.
• Community/problem-oriented policing methodologies.
• Principals of community engagement and neighborhood watch.
• Incident Command System.
• Standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation and basic mathematics.

Skills/Abilities

• Operate motor vehicles, portable radio, 2-way radio, binoculars, night viewing devices, barricades, traffic cones, flares, pry bars, bicycles, finger printing apparatus, computer, digital and video cameras; gas masks; and to use and care for firearms.
• To wear gas masks, CPR protective shield, latex gloves, rain gear.
• Perform CPR if required.
• Understand, and respond to, the public's and staff's requests for assistance both on the phone and in person.
• Use appropriate physical techniques in the apprehension and restraint of detainees.
• Meet all State and Federal requirements for sworn public safety officers; read and understand departmental policies, rules, instructions, laws, regulations and police literature, together with an aptitude for law enforcement work.
• Analyze situations and adopt a prompt, effective, and reasonable course of action; and observe and remember names, faces, and details of incidents.
• Communicate clearly and accurately both in writing and orally; write clear and accurate reports; prepare detailed narrative reports and sort/file documents; and make oral presentations.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Develop physical endurance and agility.
• Set priorities, organize workflow and maintain organization of work and records; multi-task and be responsive to time-sensitive matters; Understand and follow instructions.
• Use time effectively and efficiently to maximize work assignments.
• Exercise good judgment and uphold confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports; understand, interpret, and apply general administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Show interest and understand the needs, expectations, and circumstances of internal and external customers.
• Develop and maintain working relationships.
• Fully comprehend spoken communication by picking up on nuances in tone and meaning and being attentive to non-verbal cues and body language.
• Maintain emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Display honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Appreciate the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures.
• Respond positively to change and modify behavior as the situation requires.
• Adhere to all safety practices and procedures and encourage and support others to be safe in their work activities.
• Have sound collaborative decision-making, judgement and diplomacy skills.
• Show empathy towards the community and colleagues.
• Have service mentality, respect for and sincere desire to help others with diverse background and experiences.
• Have strong sense of integrity and commitment to ethical behavior and accountability.
• Have courage to intervene and protect against unethical behavior.
• Work collaboratively with team members to create and support a positive customer service environment.
• Demonstrate, promote and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

Education

• Graduation from high school (or substitution of G.E.D. or California Proficiency Certificate).
• Completion of a P.O.S.T. basic academy course.

Licenses/Certificates

• Possession of a valid California Class "C" Driver License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession and maintenance of certified training as required by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training or a California POST basic course waiver, subject to review and approval by the Chief of Police.
• Possession of a valid Basic POST certificate or higher issued by the State of California or a California POST basic course waiver, subject to approval by the Chief of Police.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those that must be met by an Employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands

Employee is regularly required to sit at a desk, in meetings or in a vehicle for long periods of time; talk or listen, in person, in meetings and by telephone; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate office and police equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus and be free from color blindness. Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. Lift up to 15 pounds intermittently; twist to reach equipment; walk to observe department activities; periodically bend and squat; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and communicate through written means; interact with employees and the public in possible challenging situations. Frequently walk up and down stairs. Regularly required to run, jump, push, pull, drive safely at high speeds and in adverse conditions, physically apprehend and subdue suspects. Get in and out of a patrol vehicle up to 100 times per day; sit in a patrol vehicle for up to two hours at a time; and occasionally lift, maneuver, and/or move unaided up to 180 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception, the ability to adjust, focus, and be free from color blindness.


Work environment

Employee generally works 10% indoors and (90% outdoors (including time spent in a patrol car or other police vehicle). Employee goes from being seated in a docile position in their police cars or office to a highly energized position and then return to the docile position. The job can be very fast paced within a short period of time.


While performing the duties of this job indoors, the work environment is generally in a temperature-controlled office. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but the employee may occasionally be exposed to loud talking and interruptions from telephones, office equipment and/or members of the public and emergency vehicle sirens. Employee regularly works outdoors at all times of day and in all weather conditions and is routinely exposed to hazardous situations that may result in injury, death or use of deadly force on others. While performing the duties of this job outdoors, the employee may be exposed to noise, vibration, extremes in temperature or humidity, dust, most weather conditions. Noise levels in the work environment is usually moderate but the employee may occasionally be exposed to high level noises including but not limited to emergency vehicle sirens, gun fire, road traffic, shouting, and yelling.
The employee may be required to work various shifts at night, on weekends and holidays as needed. Additionally, the employee will be required to respond off-hours for emergencies and inspections.
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The City of San Marino is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and seek diversity in our workforce. San Marino is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Supplemental Information


Cover letter and resume required.
RETIREMENT
The City participates in California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). "Classic" unit members are enrolled in the 3% @ 50 retirement plan; Unit members hired on or after January 1, 2013 are pursuant to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which follows the 2% at 57 for new CalPERS members

SOCIAL SECURITY
No contributions are paid by the City or employee into Social Security

MEDICARE
1.45% of salary paid by the City and 1.45% by the employee.

VACATION LEAVE
The City provides full time and probationary employees with 88 hours of annual vacation accrual, increasing up to 180 hours based on years of service. Please refer to the San Marino POA for vacation accrual formula.

SICK LEAVE
Employees receive 96 hours of sick leave per year.

HEALTH COVERAGE
Effective July 1, 2024- June 30, 2027, the costs for all medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability plans shall be fully funded by the City for the Los Angeles County region of medical coverage.

In the event that the "FFBP" fails to cover the actual costs, the individual employee shall pay the difference.

MEDICAL INSURANCE
The City participates in the CalPERS health benefit program for medical plans: Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Health Net, Kaiser, PERS Gold, PERS Plantinum, UnitedHealthcare.

DENTAL
Delta Dental PPO or DeltaCare HMO coverage.

VISION
Ameritas/VSP

LIFE INSURANCE
Lincoln Financial Group
Voluntary Life Insurance with Humana

LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM DISABILITY
City Paid benefit. Benefits equal 60% of employee's base salary for qualified periods.

457b TAX-DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Income may be deferred on a pre-tax and/or post-tax basis through TIAA based on IRS Regulations. For CalPERS PEPRA members, the City will match up to $175 per month towards the employer-sponsored tax-savings retirement plan.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PROGRAMS
The city provides access to supplemental insurance programs currently administered through American Fidelity

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
EAP services designed to help manage life's challenges. Free counseling sessions, legal and financial consultation, discounts, and referrals.

HOLIDAYS - 11 DAYS ANNUALLY
6 days of paid holiday:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

5 holidays are credited to the employee's vacation bank

• President's Day
• Veteran's Day
• Friday following Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve
• New Year's Eve

FLOATING HOLIDAYS
2 Floating holidays per year

LONGEVITY PAY
Longevity Pay compensation after 10 consecutive years of full-time years of service with the City of San Marino.
- 10 Yrs of Service- 2% of base salary per month
- 15 Yrs of Service- 4% of base salary per month
- 20 Yrs of Service- 6% of base salary per month

EDUCATION INCENTIVE PAY
The City will provide an educational incentive for degrees not required as a condition of employment.

• Masters Degree- $200 per month

P.O.S.T. CERTIFICATE PAY
Employees are eligible upon conclusion of probation.

• Intermediate Certificate- $100 per month
• Advanced Certificate- $200 per month

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE
$1,000 annual uniform allowance